Angel Investing

GUIDE: LOANS, GRANTS AND EQUITY FUNDING > PART EIGHT

Angel Investing

Angel investors give entrepreneurs wings. And by “wings,” we mean “funding.” But these investors don’t hand out free money – there are strings attached. Here’s what you need to know.

Angel investing basics

WHAT IS ANGEL INVESTING?

Angel investors provide seed money to high-potential businesses. These investments usually range from $5,000 to $100,000 but can be $1 million or more. But it’s not free money. It’s an investment in the company.

Angel investors get partial ownership in the business. Or, they might get convertible debt, which gives them the right to switch the debt into shares of company stock in the future. Many states also grant tax credits to angel investors.

WHO ARE ANGEL INVESTORS?

Individuals with high net worth are angel investors. But some get together to form angel groups or angel networks. This lets them share research about new businesses and pool their investment dollars.

Some angel investors have been entrepreneurs themselves. Some provide mentorship or get involved in business operations. It’s kind of like the show “Shark Tank” — personalities vary and so does how the investors want to be involved.

WHAT ARE SUPER ANGELS?

This term refers to experienced angel investors who have a little more money to invest. Angel investors usually won’t invest more than $250,000, but venture capital firms generally won’t invest less than $1 million. Super angels can fill this gap. They can be individuals or groups like Collaboration Capital in Kansas City or iSelect in St. Louis.

SO THERE ARE ANGEL INVESTORS IN THE MIDWEST?

Yes. In Missouri, you’ll find angel investors primarily in Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis. And Kansas has a tax credit designed to benefit angels. There are angel groups active around the Midwest.

COULD AN ANGEL INVESTOR HELP MY BUSINESS?

Maybe! Read on – or call KCSourceLink at 816-235-6500. Our Network Navigators can help you find the resources that are right for you, your business and where you are right now. And all our services are free.

Who should work with an angel investor?

Partnering with an angel investor isn’t for every venture. And it has its pros and cons.

Financial support from an angel investor can increase your odds of business success. But it can also mean giving up some control. You may be held to a higher standard or an accelerated timeline.

Know yourself, your business and your funding stage. And do some soul searching before you approach an angel investor or network. You and your business partners need to answer these questions honestly:

Am I willing to give up some ownership and control of my business?

Can I show that my business is likely to realize significant revenues and earnings in the next three to seven years?

Can I show that the business will produce a significant return for investors?

Am I willing to take advice and direction from investors? Can I accept decisions by a board of directors even if I don’t always agree?

Do I have an exit plan that means I might not be involved in the company in three to seven years?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll need to follow them up with a solid business plan. You’ll also need an executive summary that includes:

  • Financial overview for at least the next three years
  • Sales and marketing plans
  • Goals for the next three to five years and actionable steps to get there
  • Exit strategy

Keep in mind that angel investors are judging potential businesses by a specific set of criteria. Here’s the inside scoop on what investors are looking for. It boils down to:

  • A new or disruptive business concept
  • A realistic business plan
  • Technological superiority
  • Realistic valuation

Maybe this doesn’t describe your business at all. That’s great — it just means working with an angel investor probably isn’t the right fit. But if your company is headed in the direction an angel investor would find attractive, but it’s not there yet? KCSourceLink can help you move forward and get ready to pursue this funding. Reach out to our Network Navigators today.

How do I prepare to meet with an angel investor?

You only get one chance to make a first impression. So before you meet with a potential investor, make sure you’ve collected all necessary data and perfected your pitch. This is where an experienced coach can make all the difference.

First up? Get your house in order. You need that solid business plan and an executive summary. Then, it’s time to craft your pitch. It needs to cover:

  • The problem, the solution and why you’re the one to fix it
  • Market opportunity and the research to back up your numbers
  • Go-to-market strategy, competitive analysis and revenue model
  • Your team and the advantage you have over the competition

We highly recommend that you get coaching before any pitch. KCSourceLink can help you connect with experienced counselors who can provide free guidance. Call us at 816-235-6500.

A pitch can be like a job interview. You should be prepared not only to answer questions, but to ask for information, too. Here are some questions to ask angel investors.

Who can help?

Accelefund

Accelefund helps aspiring entrepreneurs invest in their companies using retirement savings without paying taxes, early withdrawal penalties or taking out a loan.

Specializes in: Obtaining Equity Funding

Capital Access Center

The Capital Access Center (CAC), part of the Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC), is a consulting service to small business owners needing Capital (loans, lines of credit, etc). Due to state-specific funding for the Capital Access Center, we are only able to work with Kansas businesses.

Specializes in: Obtaining Equity Funding

Community Capital Fund

Since 2012, the Community Capital Fund has deployed more than $1,500,000 to neighborhoods and grassroots organizations, as well as entrepreneurs and small businesses, organized nine Community Development Workshops that have collectively drawn more than 2,100 community leaders and fiscally sponsored 10 social ventures that have raised more than $1,500,000 collectively.

Specializes in: Obtaining Equity Funding

Digital Sandbox KC

Digital Sandbox KC is a program that provides proof-of-concept support to early-stage technology projects.

Specializes in: Obtaining Equity Funding

Digital Sandbox KC

Digital Sandbox KC is a program that provides proof-of-concept support to early-stage technology projects.

Specializes in: Obtaining Equity Funding

equity²

equity² is an impact investment firm committed to deploying capital in inclusive and equitable ways.

Specializes in: Obtaining Equity Funding

M-Powerment Solutions

Anyone with less than perfect credit looking to buy a home, vehicle, or apply for a high paying career. I help people with no credit, derogatory marks, and those with decent credit looking to get a credit score of 750+.

Specializes in: Obtaining Equity Funding

TechAccel - Technology Accelerating Partners

TechAccel is a venture development and technology organization that invests across the agriculture, animal health and food science industries. They work with startups, universities and corporate partners to fund and advance new discoveries to market.

Specializes in: Obtaining Equity Funding

Enterprise Center in Johnson County

The Enterprise Center in Johnson County (ECJC) is a venture development organization providing resources and connections to accelerate the success of early-stage companies.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City is dedicated to the creation, advancement, promotion and development of economic opportunities within the Hispanic market and business community.

Innovation Stockyard

he Innovation Stockyard operates the Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator on the campus of Missouri Western State University with a focus on economic and workforce development, and animal health and nutrition.

InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum

InvestMidwest highlights startups in the Midwest region with the most promise for success.

The conference provides an ideal opportunity for entrepreneurs to raise capital and all attendees to make new connections.

KU Innovation Park

KU Innovation Park, with locations at both the University of Kansas Lawrence Campus and Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, is the largest incubator system in the state. It is comprised of three separate facilities totaling approximately 90,000 square feet of wet lab, office space and shared work spaces.

Missouri SBDC at Northwest Missouri State University - St. Joseph

The SBTDC offers confidential, one-on-one counseling, coaching and training to existing businesses and emerging business owners.

Missouri SBDC at University of Missouri Kansas City

Missouri SBDC at UMKC is OPEN for business; both virtually and in-person for our trainings and counseling. Contact us at [email protected] to talk how we can help you SOAR with your entrepreneurial journey

Technology Venture Studio

The Technology Venture Studio helps move early-stage innovations from concept to reality—all to create jobs and economic impact, attract more equity funding to our region and establish Kansas City as a tech hub.

The Black MasterMind Group Charitable Foundation

The Black MasterMind Group Charitable Foundation is designed to create strategies to help the Black entrepreneurial community start, stabilize, sustain and scale businesses. It educates, trains, coaches, mentors, develops and provides funding initiatives

The Entrepreneur's Source

I provide no cost education, awareness and discovery services to people who are in career transition and have an interest in exploring entrepreneurship as a potential career path or adding passive streams of income to their existing investment or bus

The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center

The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center is the go-to resource for everything small business in Wyandotte County, Kansas. All services are offered at no cost to local residents and businesses. The Toolbox provides support with planning, registering, funding, operating and growing your business through private one-on-one small business coaching.

Whiteboard2Boardroom

Whiteboard2Boardroom connects entrepreneurs and established businesses to technologies available for licensing at institutions of higher education, hospitals and corporations in the bi-state region to stimulate applied research, leverage innovation i

Women's Business Center of Kansas City

The Women’s Business Center provides training, mentoring, networking opportunities and business consulting to help women start and grow their businesses.

Kansas City Area Angel Networks

Digital Sandbox KC

Digital Sandbox KC is a program that provides proof-of-concept support to early-stage technology projects.

Specializes in: Angel Investment Providers

Digital Sandbox KC

Digital Sandbox KC is a program that provides proof-of-concept support to early-stage technology projects.

Specializes in: Angel Investment Providers

Enterprise Center in Johnson County

The Enterprise Center in Johnson County (ECJC) is a venture development organization providing resources and connections to accelerate the success of early-stage companies.

Mid-America Angels Network

Mid-America Angels is a regional network of angel investors dedicated to identifying and funding the most promising startup business opportunities in the Kansas-Missouri region.

Technology Venture Studio

The Technology Venture Studio helps move early-stage innovations from concept to reality—all to create jobs and economic impact, attract more equity funding to our region and establish Kansas City as a tech hub.

Whiteboard2Boardroom

Whiteboard2Boardroom connects entrepreneurs and established businesses to technologies available for licensing at institutions of higher education, hospitals and corporations in the bi-state region to stimulate applied research, leverage innovation i

Women's Capital Connection

Women's Capital Connection is a regional network of accredited angel investors dedicated to identifying and funding the most promising startup business opportunities in the region.

Kansas Angel Tax Credit

For questions, contact the Kansas Department of Commerce at 785-296-3345.

The Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit Program is an initiative developed under the Kansas Economic Growth Act. The program is designed to bring together Kansas-based accredited angel investors with Kansas-based, Kansas Department of Commerce-certified companies seeking seed and early stage investment.

This program enables accredited angel investors to qualify for the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit, and allows companies to become certified under the guidelines of the program.

Other Angel Groups

Gust maintains a list of many angel groups.

The Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit Program brings together angel investors and companies seeking seed and early-stage investment. Investors must be accredited, and companies must be certified by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Both must be based in Kansas. Participating in the program qualifies companies for the Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit. If you have questions, contact the Kansas Department of Commerce at 785-296-3345.

Venture Capital

Venture capital funds can also provide early-stage financing. For a list of KC-based venture capital funds, click here.

Want to narrow down these lists?

No need to suffer from information overload. Check out The Resource Navigator to customize your search. You can filter by industry, ZIP code, specific need and more. Or, give us a call at 816-235-6500 and we’ll create your Personal Action Plan of next-step resources for free.

 

GUIDE: LOANS, GRANTS AND EQUITY FUNDING

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