How to find the right angel investors?

Apart from individuals who invest in startups, many angel investors are part of an angel investor network.

Angel networks help angel investor members co-invest in startups that have been shortlisted for presentation to angel investors. Angel groups not just review and shortlist startups from many proposals received, but they also help startups fine-tune their business plans, rework strategy and make the business case more compelling.

As angel investors, maturity in understanding the investment process, especially while dealing with challenging times during for the startup, is invaluable. Hence, even when you get investments from angels who are investing for the first time, it is prudent to have a co-investment from a more experienced angel.

Some points to remember when selecting angel investors:

• Evaluate what the angel investor gets to the table in addition to capital: How willing is the angel investor / angel investor group willing to assist you in your entrepreneurial journey. But do remember that this can be a double-edged sword. You want the advice and guidance, but do not need operational interference.
• Does the angel investor’s vision match your vision, aspirations and goals: This is critical as a mismatch in goals and vision could lead to conflict on the direction the company could take.
• How ready is the investor to lose his investment: This is a critical point. Angel investments carry the highest risk, and most angel investments are not even able to recover their capital. While you would aim for the best outcome, the angel has to be prepared for his capital to be fully wiped out. Hence, it is important that the angel investor understands that they should invest only as much as they can comfortably lose.
• What is the network of the angel investor with the institutional investors i.e. VCs: Angel investors with deep connections with investor groups and investors are great help while raising the next round of capital
• Do the paperwork well: even if it is limited paperwork, and significantly lesser documentation than would be required in an institutional funding round, do evaluate the term sheet carefully. Even if the angel is not keen on proper documentation, do insist on completing the paperwork. This is especially true in the case of a friends & family round when the paper work tends to get ignored.

Author: Prajakt Raut

Prajakt Raut is the founder of Applyifi.com, and author of the book for startups - ‘Starting Up & Fund Raising’ Prajakt personal goal in life is to encourage and assist a 100,000 people to become entrepreneurs. _____________ Prajakt is the founder of Applyifi - an online platform that provides startups a 36-point scorecard and assessment report on the venture's investment readiness [www.applyifi.com], and helps them improve their odds of getting funded. Prajakt is also the founding partner of The Growth Labs, a platform where growth-stage companies get sharp, incisive advice from senior professionals and experienced entrepreneurs. [www.thegrowthlabs.in] Before starting Applyifi, Prajakt was the head of operations at IAN, founding member of a leading incubator, and the Asia-Director for TiE (2004 - 2007). Previously Prajakt had co-founded Orange Cross, a healthcare services company, and was part of the founding team member of Idealake Technologies. While in college Prajakt had founded a printing business and has spent over 10 years working in leading advertising agencies. Prajakt’s book, ‘Starting Up & Fund Raising’, helps startups understand an investor’s perspective, and helps them improve their odds of getting funded. The book also helps entrepreneurs understand the building blocks of a business. View all posts by Prajakt Raut