How to create your own angel investors?
1. The reality: There aren’t many dedicated angel investors especially outside of Silicon Valley. Those who do angel invest are former founders/execs who get bombarded with deals and invest sporadically.
2. Here’s a proven strategy I learned from running a 200+ person angel syndicate from 2020 to 2023:
Key steps to building your angel prospects list:
– Identify experienced industry professionals
– Approach them directly about investing
– Target smaller check sizes ($1k-$10k)
– Aim for multiple angels to reach your goal
3. Critical success factors:
Target alignment:
– Mobile apps? Find mobile experts
– Hardware? Connect with hardware veterans
– Match investors to your specific market
4. What makes angels say yes:
– Clear use of funds
– Specific support needs
– Demonstrated progress
– Founder commitment (built something first)
– User validation
5. Pro tip: Use SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles)
Benefits:
– Combine small checks efficiently
– Single cap table entry
– Streamlined communication
– Providers: AngelList, Odin, Carta
6. Remember: Most potential angels are busy executives. Make it easy for them:
– Keep pitches concise
– Show clear progress
– Demonstrate market understanding
– Make small check sizes acceptable
Bottom line: Don’t wait for angels to find you. Create them by approaching industry veterans with a compelling story and a reasonable ask. 💪