Courting Angel Investors
Angel investors are business people who look for and fund unique, profitable, and distinct investment opportunities. They have unique criteria for financing, and in order to gain access and learn what angel investors want, follow these tips and guidelines. Entrepreneurs typically look for angel investors in order to launch their startup businesses. A few items to consider:
-Be Patient! Investments take time. At the beginning of your process, securing an investor will be beneficial because it might take several months to find investors willing to work with you. Do not expect to get funding right away.
-Networking: Networking and meeting people that are affiliated in the angel investor community can help you gain knowledge and find out what makes sense for you individually. Networking allows you to access services and products as well as witness both successes and losses. Connecting with people and educating yourself makes your business plan more viable.
-First Impressions: First impressions and interactions can be the catalyst to a significant business relationship. Comfortability, transparency, trust, and respect needs to be mutual between yourself and your investors.
-Long Term Plans/Goals: Raising capital is a multi-step process. Investment strategy, funding, and valuation are all a part of the process. How you handle money is important, so creating and following a long term plan allows you to stay on track.
-Mentors: Angel investors most likely have a successful entrepreneurial past. Angel investors have insight and expertise. Thus, listening and learning from them can be crucial to your own success.
