Early stage investors are people and companies who provide start-up businesses funding for their projects, typically when these projects are just beginning and are still in the market research or development stages.
Not everyone gets to this stage, but those who do are generally categorized into three types: personal investors, angel investors, and venture capitalists. Knowing the stages and types of investors is essential, not just for people who are diversifying their portfolios.
Venture capital involves providing early stage funding to growing companies with promising potential, while angel investing typically involves one or a few individuals making a personal investment in a business in exchange for equity. Both methods of investment carry risks, but also offer potentially high returns.
How to find angel investors Get involved with angel groups and angel investment networks. Attract interest to your business on social media. Attend networking events. Compete in startup events and pitch competitions. Talk with fellow founders. Engage with an incubator or accelerator. Participate in local startup ecosystems.
In the Shark Tank setting, entrepreneurs appear on a national television show to pitch their businesses to the sharks, a group of well-established angel investors. Each investor then decides whether to invest in the pitched businesses and, if so, negotiates the investment terms.
To be an angel, you need to qualify as an accredited investor, defined by the SEC as $1 million of net worth or annual income over $200,000. (I'm simplifying – the real definition is a bit more complex – but it gives you the idea.)
Angel investors typically seek a 10%-30% equity stake in a company. This percentage is negotiated based on your startup's valuation, the funding amount and the perceived risk. It's essential to strike a balance that reflects your company's current value and future potential.
Several variables, including the type of investment, the level of risk, and the expected return, will affect what constitutes a fair percentage for an investor. For angel investors, the typical standard is to provide between 20-25% of your company's profits.
An angel investor is an individual who provides capital for a business startup, typically in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. Angel investors are often friends, family or accredited investors who believe in the business idea and want to support its growth.