Angel Investors, a Field Guide
15 days ago
- #startup-funding
- #venture-capital
- #angel-investors
- The author shares their experience working with top angel investors like Jason Hong, Elad Gil, Jana Messerschmidt, Kevin and Julia Hartz, Dan Boneh, and Kevin Durant.
- Angel investors provided mentorship, connections, and financial support, helping the author become a better-prepared founder.
- Strategic angels were chosen to fill gaps in expertise and networks after securing institutional VC investment.
- Vanity angels, like celebrities, offer name recognition but are less active in company operations.
- Friends and family investors were avoided to keep personal and business relationships separate.
- Monthly investor updates with specific requests and thank-yous helped maintain strong relationships with angel investors.
- Angel investors can assist in fundraising in ways institutional investors cannot, as they aren't competing for larger ownership stakes.
- The author now angel invests through a scouting relationship with Andreessen Horowitz, focusing on B2B SaaS and developer tools.
- Choosing the right angel investors can significantly impact a startup's success by providing advice, introductions, and support.