What is an Angel Investor? An Angel investor is referred to as an individual with high net worth. These individuals provide financial backing to small startups and entrepreneurs. In return for their financial investment, they take ownership equity of the company. Although angel investing is risky, it offers potential high returns, as well as a satisfaction to the investor to make a startup strong enough to compete in the market.

Unlike venture capital firms that use their investment fund, angel investors use their own net worth to invest in startups and entrepreneurs. This increases their risk appetite a lot. In this article, you will learn some of the essential details of an angel investor and how the process of angel investing works. Then, we will share with you the best tips and ways through which you can become an angel investor. 

What Is An Angel Investor?

When a new startup or business is in need of money, they turn to investors. An angel investor is one such entity or individual who offers the initial fund to a small business or startup and takes ownership equity in exchange.

According to Indeed.com,

“Angel investors are individuals who fund early-stage businesses in exchange for equity in a company. Beyond traditional bonds and stocks, angel investments provide new ways to diversify investment portfolios. Learning about angel investment can help you understand how angel investment works and what are their pros and cons.”

In most cases, an angel investor is an individual or an entity that is fully involved in funding startups and projects for fully professional purposes. In other cases, angel investors can also be wealthy family member/ friend/relative who is offering funds for a startup. The investor can make a one-time investment or an ongoing investment of cash in the business.

However, you must not consider angel investors as loan providers. They are just cashing in on an idea that they like to grow in a given industry. They are only expecting rewards in a situation where the business really takes off.

Read More: Private Equity Vs. Venture Capital: Key Differences

Angel Investing – How Does It Work?

As per the views in an article on Investopedia,

“Most angel investors are relatively wealthy individuals who are looking for a higher rate of return than can be found in more traditional investment opportunities. They search for startups with intriguing ideas and invest their own money to help develop them further.”

As already mentioned before, angel investors only invest in those ventures where they see growth opportunities. However, these ventures are by themselves very risky. As per various reports, it has been found that the success of such small ventures is only 11%. Hence, the investments of angel investors in those ventures are quite modest (an average of around $42,000). Hence, most angel investors do not spend more than 10% of their investment portfolio money on such risky ventures.

However, this factor cannot remove the importance of angel investors for businesses that have ideas and are in need of funding. An entrepreneur or a small business is always in search of angel investors who can offer some conventional financing to their businesses.

Angel investors, while funding, seek an equity stake or a seat on the board of directors of the business. These investors do not expect to get their money back if the idea does not succeed. Hence, in some cases, angel investments are more favorable for entrepreneurs.

How To Become An Angel Investor? – Steps To Follow

According to Investopedia,

“Angel investors have a genuine interest in innovation and a desire to be involved. Many have been entrepreneurs in the past. Anyone who has the money and the desire to provide funding for startups can be an angel investor. They are welcomed by cash-hungry entrepreneurs who can’t get conventional bank loans or don’t want the burden of big debt until their ideas take off.”

The following are some of the steps that you will need to follow if you want to become an angel investor:

1. Get Your Qualifications

To become an angel investor, you will need to meet the standards of an accredited investor. You must have earned at least $200,000 in the past two years (or $300,000 along with a spouse). Otherwise, your net worth must be more than $1 million in investable assets. This restriction is present due to the high risks associated with angel investments.

Since accredited investors are financially better equipped to handle a loss if there is such a situation. However, there are still non-accredited investors available, which startups can approach.

2. Start Creating An Investment Portfolio

It is important for an angel investor to build an investment portfolio and gain varied experience in investing. With experience in a variety of areas, you will be able to learn how investments in assets work in the country. You can also work for a professional angel investor to see what they do while funding a startup or a small business.

3. Start Sourcing Deals

In their industry of expertise, angel investors have an established network of startup founders, entrepreneurs, and small-business owners. As an investor, you will need to maintain rapport with those connections on a regular basis. Hence, you will often hear about new startups where you can source deals effectively.

You can also collaborate with other angel investors or a group of investors to fund a particular business after you have formed an angel syndicate.

Read More: What Is Indemnity Insurance? And Its Different Types – Let’s Discover

Wrapping Up

What is an Angel Investor? – You can see from this article that angel investors offer the primary funding source for entrepreneurs and small businesses. However, these investors need to be content with the idea and prospects of the business and must be optimistic and hopeful for its growth. In return for the funding, these investors take ownership equity of the company.

However, this is a risky job, and angel investors do not risk more than 10% of their portfolio into investing in these businesses. What do you think is the importance of angel investors for small businesses and startups? Share your views in the comments section below.

Read Also:

• Entrepreneurship – Definition, Meaning, Scope, And More
• Risk In Entrepreneurship : What Risks Do An Entrepreneur Face?
• What Are The Different Types Of Entrepreneurship? – Take A Look