Angel Investment Groups
Angel funding and venture capital
Angels provide seed money to business startups—to the tune of tens of thousands to a million dollars or more—in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. Some angel investors come together to form angel groups or angel networks to share research and pool investment dollars.
Venture capitalists (VC), on the other hand, usually make their capital investments later in the business cycle. They exchange their investment and their expertise for a significant portion of the company’s ownership and significant control over company decisions.
Before you approach an angel investor, angel network, or VC firm, ask yourself and your partners these questions:
- Am I willing to give up some amount of ownership and control of my company?
- Can I demonstrate that my company is likely to realize significant revenues and earnings in the next three to seven years?
- Can I demonstrate that my company will produce a significant return for investors?
- Am I willing to take the advice from investors and accept board of director decisions I may not always agree with?
- Do I have an exit plan for the company that may mean I’m not involved?
You’ll need to follow those answers with a solid business plan and an executive summary that includes:
- Financial overview for at least three years out
- Sales and marketing plans
- Three-to-five year goals and your action steps to get there
- Exit strategy
Small Business Investment Company
SBIC works to stimulate the national economy and small businesses by supplementing the flow of private equity capital and long-term loan funds for the sound financing, growth, expansion, and modernization of small business operations while insuring the maximum participation of private financing sources.
Find a list of Virginia SBIC programs on the Small Business Administration website.
Gust
Gust provides a listing of many angel groups across the country. You can also use the site to submit your business plan for review.
