The Seraf Compass

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

For a variety of reasons, the mainstream business press is writing more about angel investing than ever. It seems like more now than ever before, if you tell a distant relative that you are an angel investor, they will say “oh I’ve heard of that” rather than give you a blank stare and assume you are talking about church choir.

investment 264

investment investing angel investing financing 264

Gust

OCTOBER 25, 2011

Assume you have the right factors to get angel investment: experienced team, good product-market fit, growth potential, defensibility, and a reasonable shot at a successful exit. This might seem awkward on this site, suggesting that you don’t want angel investment. But angel investment isn’t for everybody.

angel investing 133

angel investing investment investing board 133

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

When I first read Paul Graham’s blog post on “High Resolution&# Financing I read it as a treatise arguing that convertible notes are better than equity. Not that they’re “such a bad idea&# but more that there are inherent problems for entrepreneurs in the process of raising angel money that need to be addressed.

financing 286

financing finance advice VC 286

The Seraf Compass

JANUARY 1, 2020

You will hear the term “Follow-on” as a frequent catchphrase for this type of investing. Simply put, the investor is asking if you will invest additional funds in the company. Participating in follow-on rounds is an important part of his approach to angel investing. Let’s see if we can figure out why.

capital 337

capital angel investing financing finance 337

Dream It

JULY 12, 2021

In this Dreamit Dose, Steve Barsh, Managing Partner at Dreamit, gives you his breakdown and tells you what issues to avoid on these early-stage financing instruments. You’ll learn 6 key points to be prepared and ready the next time you’re structuring a convertible note or SAFE financing. You offer a note or SAFE with a 15-20% discount.

founder 397

founder financing finance angel investing 397

This is going to be BIG.

APRIL 21, 2011

As a Brooklyn native who has never lived outside the five boroughs—and someone who left Big Finance—I feel a special kind of pride over what’s gone on here in the last six+ years. Angels: Focus and pace. There isn’t a single person in the NYC that is more excited than I am about how far we’ve come.

communities 332

communities innovation incubation angel investing 332

TechCrunch

JUNE 24, 2022

Long-term angel investing: Understanding capital requirements and how to find quality investments. But there’s a reason successful angel investors are few and far between: returns may take several years to materialize, and not all companies you want to invest in will want your money.

angel investing 84

angel investing pitching capital investment 84

This is going to be BIG.

DECEMBER 3, 2020

Fund investing, like adulting, is boring. That’s the first thing anyone trying to raise a fund needs to understand, as well as anyone thinking about investing in one. Fund investing can be additive to your angel investing and there are two main arguments for it: Getting indirect benefits from being invested in one or more funds.

VC 258

VC angel investing mix-use opportunity 258

Gust

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Here are the trends in venture capital financings from 2006 through 2010 – the number of seed stage deals funded and total investment by region in millions of dollars. . VCs in NYC invested, on average, only $2.4 US Angel Investment – All Regions. Investment. All Seed-VC. Silicon Valley. New England.

entrepreneurs 162

entrepreneurs angel investing VC venture capital 162

Gust

DECEMBER 27, 2012

Understand what investors are looking for , what they usually invest in, and why. There is a vast gulf between a ‘cool product’ and an ‘investable company’ and if you don’t understand the difference, you will be doomed before you start.

investment 164

investment investing pitching mix-use 164

Onevest

APRIL 30, 2015

But the data shows a rapidly growing trend in accredited investors investing together. This is something that we have experience at 1000 Angels , the private investor network that connects startups with investors. This is in contrast to going it alone in direct investments or publicly traded REITs and stocks.

investment 116

investment investing coworking spaces startup 116

StartupNation

AUGUST 8, 2021

But financing isn’t always easy — especially if you’re the proud founder of a brand new business. You still have plenty of creative financing options to fund your business. You’ll need to think outside the box, but you’re bound to come across your “aha” financing moment in this article. Bootstrapping.

creativity 104

creativity financing finance startup 104

Angel Capital Association

MAY 20, 2024

For Immediate Release Columbus, OH (May 20, 2024) – Recognizing the most ingenious and innovative companies recently financed by members of the Angel Capital Association, the prestigious Luis Villalobos Award was given on May 13, 2024, to two outstanding portfolio companies. Receiving the award were Ready.

angel investing 52

angel investing financing finance innovation 52

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 29, 2010

tevye2009 , Q: “can you briefly explain why it’s best to get a small valuation when getting investment.&# Mike Stern (wasn’t sure which one so leave a comment if it’s you): Q: “is it possible to sell your startup without venture investment if the company has big traction and a large user base?&#

venture capital 282

venture capital capital ventures angel investing 282

Gust

NOVEMBER 18, 2012

The founders now need a $1M Angel investment to do the marketing for a national NewCo rollout, build a team to manage the rollout, and maybe even pay themselves a salary. In finance, the income approach describes a method of valuing a company using the concepts of the time value of money. This one doesn’t help NewCo just yet.

investing 187

investing investment startup real estate 187

This is going to be BIG.

APRIL 1, 2013

VCs, I believe that the purpose of venture investment is to serve entrepreneurs. Many of us, however, seem to regard investing as some kind of dodge or hustle. That is why some entrepreneurs have turned towards an alternative to getting investment from us. Many of us, fellow VCs, are a poor investors. Call it fate, call it luck.

angel investing 289

angel investing financing finance entrepreneurs 289

Entrepreneurs' Organization

OCTOBER 27, 2023

We both went on to have successful careers as consultants and entrepreneurs, and had a passion for working with and investing in younger entrepreneurs. We reconnected in 2016 and began angel investing in startups in New York City.  But, even then, we knew that many things could go wrong and that our investments were risky.

entrepreneurs 251

entrepreneurs startup advice angel investing 251

StartupNation

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

On today’s Business Beat, Jeff speaks with Marsha Dawood, chair of the Angel Capital Association Board of Directors, regarding the advantages of angel funding to finance and launch a business. Marsha, we believe at the Business Beat that angel funding is the most important type of funding for the earliest stages.

angel investing 70

angel investing investment investing mentorship 70

Gust

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

How to finance a new seed-stage startup? Every investment so far in this YC batch (and there have been a lot) has been done on a convertible note.” ” Ressi in particular seems to be passionate about removing the “debt” component from convertible debt seed financing transactions. .”

financing 134

financing finance investment investing 134

Angel Capital Association

MAY 18, 2020

By: Sarah Dickey, ACA Membership Director Groundbreaking economist, author, investor, and entrepreneur is honored with the Angel Capital Association’s Hans Severiens Award While performing the research that culminated in her book, The Next Wave: Financing and Investing Strategies for Growth-Oriented Women Entrepreneurs , Alicia Robb, Ph.D.,

investment 76

investment investing angel investing peer-to-peer 76

Gust

DECEMBER 28, 2011

In the “good old days,” angels invested in seed-stage startups and teed up promising companies for subsequent venture capital financing. If the company was successful, this quickly led to an IPO – a very happy ending for the entrepreneur, the angels, and the venture capitalists. My, my…how the world has changed.

entrepreneurs 153

entrepreneurs VC venture capital angel investing 153

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2010

Clearly a startup should consult its lawyer before filing or not filing.But the attorneys I relied on to write this piece told me that they’ve done lots of Section 4(2) deals in the past, and would recommend it to clients who had relatively simple financing agreements (not tranched-out, not too many investors, etc.) Short answer: no.

VC 285

VC financing finance capital 285

Gust

OCTOBER 5, 2011

Last week , we gave some attention to the “why” behind convertible note financing for early stage startups. As with so many subjects in law and finance, mastering the jargon is half the battle. This may seem like a no-brainer now that you understand the basic structure of a convertible debt financing.

financing 79

financing finance angel investing investment 79

Gust

JANUARY 4, 2012

Entrepreneurs: if you’re looking seriously at angel investment, and you have the kind of product-market fit and management experience investors will like, you need to take a good look at convertible notes. I’d suggest you start with Fred Wilson’s Financing Options: Convertible Debt , one of his MBA Mondays series on his AVC blog.

angel investing 114

angel investing financing finance VC 114

TechCrunch

APRIL 5, 2022

When Keto Kitchen had good sales in the first quarter, Meyer went to the bank to ask for expansion financing and recalled the banker asking him what a ghost kitchen was. That told him there was an opportunity for a data-driven financing tool for these types of restaurants. Ghost Financial card app. Image Credits: Ghost Financial. “I

financing 95

financing finance capital mix-use 95

StartupNation

JANUARY 5, 2021

Now that you have a better understanding of the significance of raising capital, let’s take a closer look at five of the best and most reliable ways to fund your new business: Angel investment. Simply put, angel investors are people who have the money and willingness to invest in your startup and provide capital for its expansion.

capital 134

capital angel investing venture capital financing 134

AsiaTechDaily

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Delve into his story as it unfolds with lessons from filmmaking, startup ventures, and the fascinating world of technology innovations and investing. This gave me a front-row seat to the world of tech/innovation, and I began making some personal angel investments along the way.”

venture capital 98

venture capital peer-to-peer capital ventures 98

TechCrunch

MAY 10, 2021

And now, thanks to Hustle Fund, she is also an angel investor. Hustle Fund is coming out of stealth today with Angel Squad , a new initiative aimed at making angel investing more accessible to more people. She describes herself as “a complete novice” in angel investing, and so far, she’s loving the experience. “

angel investing 99

angel investing real estate startup ecosystem investment 99

TechCrunch

JANUARY 27, 2022

Jordan Gonen and Jacob Schein had both worked in the tech industry for a few years when they realized they lacked a clear understanding of their own finances. Like many other tech employees, the two software engineers held equity in startups they had worked for, cryptocurrency investments and other illiquid assets.

financing 75

financing finance real estate angel investing 75

Gust

OCTOBER 12, 2011

Last week , we took the plunge and began dissecting an example term sheet for a convertible debt financing round piece by piece. In Part II, we looked at the mandatory conversion language that is at the heart of any convertible debt financing. Same, except at the option of the noteholders (per the term sheet example above). Prepayment.

financing 107

financing finance construction investment 107

Gust

OCTOBER 26, 2011

As we conclude our convertible note financing series, there are assorted terms commonly seen in term sheets and deal documents that are worth touching on briefly. The Note Purchase Agreement and Convertible Promissory Note are essential documents for any convertible note financing. See discussion of amendments below.)

financing 79

financing finance VC investment 79

David Teten VC

MAY 19, 2017

Revenue Based Financing Network Group. No-cost accelerators: Afore Capital Angel to Fund Manager (AFM), Founder Institute VC Lab , Recast Capital Enablement Program – Accelerators with tuition: Oper8r , OnConduit ‘s Emerging Fund Managers Initiative. International Climate Finance Accelerator – based in Luxembourg.

VC 83

VC angel investing venture capital accelerator 83

Gust

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Many local angel investment groups work with a local event that creates the illusion of a business pitch contest, awarding investment to the winner. For example: Some of these events mix angel investment with straight-out prize money with in-kind compensation like free consulting, legal work, or rent.

investment 79

investment investing angel investing pitching 79

Gust

OCTOBER 17, 2011

As the company grows and the second or third group of investors comes in, the terms of each subsequent financing grow in size, scope, and the number of lawyers’ fingerprints on them. The price is the percent of ownership given to the investor, calculated as “investment/post-money valuation.” Seat on the board. Liquidation preference.

financing 158

financing finance board entrepreneurs 158

propel(x)

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Stock Dilution in Startup Investing?—?Good So, you have taken the plunge and invested in a startup and received your stock. Let us say you invest in the seed round of a startup that has issued 10m shares at a valuation of $0.10 You invest $100k and purchase 1m shares, which means you own 10% of the company. Good or Bad?

investment 91

investment investing startup angel investing 91

Gust

OCTOBER 3, 2011

For a first time entrepreneur trying to figure out the arcane world of startup financing, it can be very confusing to understand the roles that different types of investors play in funding promising companies, as well as the point in a company’s life at which they enter the stage. From +/- $1.5m

financing 70

financing finance venture capital startup 70

Jason Malki

MARCH 9, 2023

I had the pleasure of interviewing Karen Sheffield, the Founder & Managing Partner of Pachamama Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in US early-stage climate tech companies. She is also a Finance Director at Visa and has previously worked for PepsiCo and American Airlines. How did you break into tech investing?

VC 98

VC ventures angel investing venture capital 98