Investor Profile Angel investors are generally high-net-worth individuals who invest their own money directly in start-ups. Most angel investors are accredited investors and many are current or former entrepreneurs. If you haven't been successful in your efforts to secure funding for your latest commercial venture, an angel investor could be your answer. An angel investor specializes in providing financial support to a small business owner and entrepreneur in their early stages and beyond.
Because the funds they provide can make all the difference in whether your idea ever gets off the ground, there are some drawbacks that you should pay attention to. If you want to become an angel investor, do your homework about the company you want to invest in and sign a contract before delivering the funds. On the other hand, angel investors tend not to resist making a larger investment if they believe in the potential of the organization. While angel investors usually represent individuals, the entity that actually provides the funds can be a limited liability company (LLC), a company, a trust, or an investment fund, among many other types of vehicles.
Harvard Business School scientists found that companies backed by angel investors are more likely to stay in business longer, have substantial growth and have a higher rate of return. These types of investments are risky and do not usually represent more than 10% of the angel investor's portfolio. In exchange for their investment, your angel investor receives a stake in your startup, which has an impact on the company's decision-making. Angel investors are individuals or groups that invest in start-ups or early-stage companies in exchange for an equity stake.
Angel investors offer more favorable terms compared to other lenders, since they tend to invest in the entrepreneur starting the business rather than in the viability of the business. An angel investor won't shell out a lot of money without being interested in how the funds are used. Angel investors are usually people who have obtained accredited investor status, but this is not a prerequisite. Since angel investors invest their own money, building their trust and establishing a relationship with them are critical to getting their support.
On the other hand, if your company fails, an angel investor won't expect you to return the funds offered. If you are thinking of investing with angels, you must determine if the startup is in a position to expand at the rate that the investor expects. Being eligible for a small business loan usually involves overcoming some challenges that you may not face when dealing with the angel investor. Most angel investors have leftover funds available and are looking for a higher rate of return than traditional investment opportunities.