ARI Newsletter

Many angel investors mentor to apply their specific experience and know-how to help more startups become fundable and to help companies that have been funded grow and succeed. Angel mentoring offers unique advantages to entrepreneurs and the U.S. economy. The Angel Resource Institute – the new name for ACEF - will study and share mentoring processes and practices

These days, angel groups are much more likely to have adopted a standard term sheet as a starting point for negotiations with entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs improve their credibility by understanding basic terms and angel risk.

Due diligence can be a very beneficial and yet time consuming process for both angels and entrepreneurs. Read how angels and entrepreneurs can improve the experience and their odds of success.

SmartCells, based in Beverly, MA, was purchased by Merck for more than $500 million in upfront and potential milestone payments. It’s not every day that a $9.8 million angel investment returns 50X. Several angel groups were involved.

For many angel groups, deal syndication is becoming a way of life. They are combining forces to fund Series A rounds that previously might have hinged on venture capital. The over-subscribed Series A round of $1.6 million included eight angel groups.

It can be challenging for new angel groups to make more than two or three investments in their first year, even when deal flow is exceptionally good. TiE Angels, founded last summer in California’s Silicon Valley, has invested in seven portfolio companies in eight months.

Angels readily understand the benefits of diversification and balance in their investment portfolios. It’s the same principle with human capital. That’s why many angel groups are working to attract more women angels and welcome investable women-led businesses.

The Angel Capital Association and Angel Capital Education Foundation named James Geshwiler—managing partner of the CommonAngels in Boston, ACA co-founder and founding chair, and ACEF chair emeritus, as the recipient of the 2011 Hans Severiens Award.

As social media has gone from fad to phenomenon, some entrepreneurs are using “crowdfunding” to raise the capital needed to take their startup businesses to the next step. There are considerations for entrepreneurs, their future investors, and the SEC.

Mentoring is a significant component of PIPELINE, a year-long “immersion experience” based on the studying many nationally renowned fellowship models. PIPELINE equips high-growth entrepreneurs with training, networks, resources, and mentors. The program is one of the top entrepreneurial mentoring programs in the country.