Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

According to the Angel Capital Association: Angels (private money) invest in 55,000 startups each year versus 1,500 companies by VC (venture capital) funding. million people qualify as accredited investors. However, entrepreneurs still need to approach angel investors offline for larger amounts of capital.

Angel Investor 159

Angel Investor Technical Review Software Review Accredited Investor 159

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2014

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Thus investing in startups should always be approached as a low odds game.

Angel Investor 278

Angel Investor Angel Groups Accredited Investor IRR 278

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2017

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Thus investing in startups should always be approached as a low odds game.

Angel Investor 190

Angel Investor Accredited Investor IRR Angel Groups 190

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2010

Nevertheless, if you share too much in your funding process or meet too many VCs expect a certain amount of your ideas to spread around the startup community. What are the three most important lessons investors could pass along to first-time entrepreneurs raising money? This is unintentional and inevitable. We spoke briefly about why.

Stealth 285

Stealth SEC Advertising Accredited Investor 285

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 29, 2011

Entrepreneur Finder ( www.EntrepreneurFinder.com ) is a free interactive resource for entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, students and investors to find each other and designed to help startup companies grow. A startup looking for investment, mentorship, or specific talent to help grow your company?

Finder 232

Finder Entrepreneur Accredited Investor Silicon Valley 232

ReadWriteStart

APRIL 26, 2011

It's still not the accepted or the obvious choice for funding your startup, however. But news that the Austin, Texas-based MicroVentures has successfully raised its first $150,000 for three startups via its crowdfunding platform suggests that these alternatives might be viable after all. It also allows them to invest smaller amounts.

Software Review 122

Software Review Accredited Investor Due Diligence Burn Rate 122

Scott Edward Walker

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

My law firm recently entered into a new partnership with This Week in Startups and sponsored their live fireside chat last month in San Francisco with authors Nick Bilton and Brad Stone. Prior to the event, I conducted a legal workshop entitled “The 5 Biggest Legal Mistakes That Startups Make,” which I have uploaded below.

Software Review 111

Software Review Delaware Accredited Investor Due Diligence 111

Scott Edward Walker

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

My law firm recently entered into a new partnership with This Week in Startups and sponsored their live fireside chat last month in San Francisco with authors Nick Bilton and Brad Stone. Prior to the event, I conducted a legal workshop entitled “The 5 Biggest Legal Mistakes That Startups Make,” which I have uploaded below.

Software Review 111

Software Review Delaware Accredited Investor Due Diligence 111

David Teten

MAY 9, 2012

VCAP©, the first program of its kind, bridges the gap between venture capitalists and angel investor networks and women and diverse entrepreneurs, many of whom have not traditionally had access to these sources of capital. Women-owned businesses, according to the Forte Foundation represent about 775,000 new startups per year.

Venture Capital 154

Venture Capital Programming Accredited Investor New York 154

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2016

Every startup founder loves to prompt for questions from investors and potential key team members about their vision, and the huge opportunity that can be had with their disruptive technology. Early stage burn rates over $50K per month, or a runway of less than six months may indicate an inefficient or desperate startup.

Sweat Equity 120

Sweat Equity Burn Rate Technical Review Intellectual Property 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2015

Every startup founder loves to prompt for questions from investors and potential key team members about their vision, and the huge opportunity that can be had with their disruptive technology. Early stage burn rates over $50K per month, or a runway of less than six months may indicate an inefficient or desperate startup.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Due Diligence Sweat Equity Burn Rate 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2015

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Thus investing in startups should always be approached as a low odds game.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Angel Groups Accredited Investor IRR 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2016

Whether you are talking to peers, competitors or investors, you as an active entrepreneur will be judged on your familiarity with today’s startup and funding jargon. This term is currently applied to recent startups who profess a current valuation which exceeds $1 billion. Could your startup be the next one? Sweat equity.

Software Review 120

Software Review Sweat Equity Accredited Investor Angel Investor 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Yet as I mentor entrepreneurs around the country, it still seems to be one of the least understood approaches to startup funding, with more myths than accredited angels and professional venture capital investors combined. With this model, a startup pre-sells their product early, at a cheaper price, in exchange for a pledge.

Accredited Investor 120

Accredited Investor SEC Equity Europe 120

techcrunch.com

APRIL 26, 2013

For Startups And Winning SEC Approval, AngelList Opens Up Investment Platform To More Companies. In December, AngelList , a service that matches early-stage startups with investors, debuted the ability to allow accredited investors to actually invest in startups on the platform with as little as $1,000.

SEC 61

SEC Accredited Investor San Diego New York City 61

Gust

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

As a business lawyer working with startups in technology and digital media every day, I’m fortunate to have a front-row seat as entrepreneurs create value out of thin air. Granted most startups will never become another Apple or Google. The Startup Visa movement is aimed at a pain point that is near and dear to my heart.

Silicon Valley 187

Silicon Valley San Francisco Intellectual Property Accredited Investor 187

Agile VC

OCTOBER 23, 2012

The same is not true for venture capital of course, since the underlying startups VCs invest in aren’t publicly selling their equity. Startup outcomes are a power law distribution rather than a standard distribution. Even if you’re top decile for your vintage year (e.g.

LP 176

LP Accredited Investor Carried Interest Distribution 176

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2017

One of the most common complaints I hear from new business owners and startups is about the pain and difficulty raising capital. Based on my experience with startups, I’m a strong believer that there are far better alternatives available, if you think outside the box. Prepare properly for meeting and closing with investors.

Technical Review 220

Technical Review Accredited Investor Due Diligence Equity 220

Feld Thoughts

MAY 9, 2011

This afternoon in Boulder I’ll be on a panel as part of the White House Startup America Roundtable. More recently, I’ve focused my energy on the Startup Visa movement and the Startup America Partnership. Tax Policy : Incent people to invest in startups.

Government 144

Government Technical Review Intellectual Property Accredited Investor 144

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2016

Angel investors are still the lifeblood of early-stage startups, despite the surge of activity in crowdfunding and an increasing early interest from venture capitalists. These are all accredited investors who risk their own money. In today’s world, if your startup is not visible on the Internet, you haven’t started yet.

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Accredited Investor Angel Groups 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2010

If your startup is looking for an angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. One of the most common questions I get is “How do I find angel investors?” Tags: entrepreneur startup angel investors flock of angels. Or does it?

Angel Investor 120

Angel Investor North America South America Accredited Investor 120

Scott Edward Walker

JUNE 30, 2011

Fundraising Tips Tip #1: Only Offer and/or Sell Securities to “Accredited Investors”. The most common exemption for startups is the so-called “private placement” exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and/or Regulation D , the safe harbor promulgated thereunder.

Securities and Exchange Commission 76

Securities and Exchange Commission Accredited Investor Private Placement Finder 76

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2022

If your startup is looking for an angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. This is perhaps the most widely-used source of information on angel investor groups across the world, run by the “Father of Angel Investing in New York,” David Rose.

North America 337

North America Accredited Investor Angel Investor Angel Groups 337

Gust

OCTOBER 20, 2011

Individual accredited investors in typical angel deals put personal capital at risk for an equity share of growth-oriented, start-up companies. These angel investors generally invest $25,000 to $100,000 in a round totaling $250,000 to $1,000,000. The range of the data is from a low pre-money valuation of $0.8

Valuation 146

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Intellectual Property Technical Review 146

Gust

FEBRUARY 22, 2014

There are literally hundreds of platforms currently operating that connect investors and startups, and there have been at least a hundred others that have come and gone. Setting up a clean, effective web site that lists companies seeking funding and provides accounts for investors to interact with them is not rocket science.

Belarus 107

Belarus Kazakhstan Portugal Accredited Investor 107

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2020

As an advisor to many entrepreneurs, I still hear frequently the irrational exuberance that crowdfunding is the quick alternative for startups that are passed over by overly demanding angels or venture capital investors. Startups need to build a large passionate group of fans before the campaign. Startup revenues come later.

Accredited Investor 378

Accredited Investor SEC Campaign Equity 378

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2014

If your startup is looking for an Angel investor, it makes sense to present your plan to flocks of Angels, and assume that at least one will swoop down and scoop you up. More than 200,000 startups have already used the platform to connect with 45,000 investors. Or does it? Keiretsu Forum. Angel Capital Association (ACA).

North America 289

North America Rhode Island Accredited Investor Angel Investor 289

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Now there are dozens of online equity portals, including WeFunder and Microventures , already geared up to help regular people buy equity in a startup, without qualifying as an accredited investor. Have you ever wondered what professional startup investors think about all this? Risk is increased.

Equity 411

Equity Angel Groups Accredited Investor Due Diligence 411

Gust

JULY 19, 2012

It’s going to be very crowded, very noisy, and probably not very lucrative for the funders (although it will likely put quite a bit of cash into new startups.) 4) Accredited Investor funding portals, which may or may not register under the JOBS Act, but will restrict themselves to the exempt, upper part of the market.

Accredited Investor 144

Accredited Investor SEC Equity Early Stage 144

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Startups have to deal with starting costs and ongoing businesses have to finance growth and working capital. Are you a startup or ongoing business? For example, many ongoing businesses have access to standard business loans from a traditional bank that would not be available to startups. Myth #3: Business plans sell investors.

SBA 161

SBA Venture Capital Angel Investor Technical Review 161

Gust

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

Browse through the many hundreds of video answers to startup questions that we’ve filmed from the world’s leading VCs and angels. You really should have spent a heck of a lot of time beforehand in thinking through all of the issues surrounding your startup.

Angel Groups 159

Angel Groups Elevator Pitch Software Review Deal Flow 159

Austin Startup

MARCH 15, 2021

For the past decade, Capital Factory has been building a pipeline of tech startups and investment rights and now we’re opening up to everyone through AngelList. With boots on the ground in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, we meet the best entrepreneurs in Texas and introduce them to investors, employees, mentors and customers.

Accredited Investor 106

Accredited Investor Texas San Antonio San Francisco 106

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money. Join an existing Angel investor group.

Accredited Investor 219

Accredited Investor Liquidity Event SEC Stock 219

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2021

Although every startup is unique, there are certain common avoidable mistakes that can lead to legal complications which jeopardize the long-term success of the business. Many startups delay incorporation until the first formal round of financing, which is too late. Trouble with the IRS over Founders stock value.

Cost 363

Cost Non-Compete Accredited Investor Cofounder 363

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Reuters TV Interview by Rhonda Schaffler Investing in entrepreneurs and startups is a fun but different world from investing in conventional stocks, bonds, and commodities. First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money.

Portfolio 228

Portfolio Accredited Investor Liquidity Event SEC 228

Up and Running

JUNE 14, 2012

I have seen many good friendships ruined after a startup venture goes south. If you asked me this question before my first startup, I would have said why not? Now that I have launched some startups, I would say there is no reason to have co-founders have the same equity stake. Should co-founders have the same equity stake?

Cofounder 90

Cofounder Technical Cofounder Accredited Investor Equity 90

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 20, 2021

I often recommend business networking as the most effective way for a startup founder to find investors, advisors, and even key executive candidates. Here are a few of the “do’s”: Post your profile on LinkedIn and Twitter, and join in startup discussions. Join a local investment group.

Accredited Investor 357

Accredited Investor Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur SEC 357