Are you looking for an angel in Atlanta to be an investor
in your company?
One way to find angel investors in Atlanta is through an
angel group. The Atlanta Technology
Angels provide private capital and business experience to companies in the
Atlanta area. They do not actively
invest in companies outside of Atlanta, and they typically invest between
$250,000 and $1,000,000 in a company.
Looking elsewhere for Atlanta angel investors
The most common way of finding investors is through your
acquaintances. Somebody you know
probably will be able to point you to a potential investor. Begin telling everyone you know that you are
looking for an investor for your business.
People are usually more than happy to help out if possible. However, be sure you get their permission
before telling the investor that you were referred by them.
If you have exhausted your current contacts and still
need more potential investors, you may need to visit local industry meetings or
chambers of commerce to obtain fresh contacts.
Web resources for finding Atlanta angel investors
Browsing the web may yield more angel groups in your
area. Most angel investors have specific
preferences about where and how much money they will invest. In addition, some will invest only in a
particular industry. The Go BIG Network
(www.goBIGnetwork.com) allows you to search for investors based on the amount
of money you need, your industry, and the type of investor you are
seeking.
How do you use the Go BIG Network?
With a free membership you can create a profile. When investors are browsing profiles, they
can view the information you provided about your business and contact you if
they wish. If you want to take a more
proactive approach you can get a subscription so that you have access to the
contact information for all Go BIG members.
With the search function, you can find the investors that best fit your
company and contact them.
Alternatively, you can post a “Request” that gets sent to
investors targeted to your business. If
investors are interested in your idea, they can contact you and begin
discussions.
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Helpful Hint
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Typically an angel investor provides private capital of
anywhere from $10,000 up to $1,000,000.
Venture capital firms on the other hand do not usually consider deals
below $1,000,000. In fact, the size of
the firm usually correlates with the funding range it is seeking. If you are raising $1 million or even several
million, you may still be able to use a syndicate of angels. Angels tend to be more flexible in
structuring a deal since many have been entrepreneurs in the past.
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Your first meetings with an angel
You must be able to present your business idea,
especially if it is highly technical, in a very simple and concise
fashion. Your grandma should be able to
understand the basic idea behind your company.
Typically your presentation will not occur in your first meeting with an angel, but by the third meeting it should. The investor needs to trust you and feel like you know more about your business than
anyone else could. This means you have a
clear exit strategy, and your marketing plan shows exactly how your financials
were obtained.
If the investor is still interested after your initial
meetings, find out how they prefer to communicate and send any requested
correspondence (e.g. a full business plan).
Keep in mind that you and your potential investor need to evaluate each
other to determine whether you could make a good fit. Do not be afraid to look for other angel
investors in Atlanta if your goals are on a collision course.
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Whether you find your angel investment from your rich uncle
Ted or a prominent angel investor group, it’s important to know that the
universe of angel investors looks like and what you’re really shopping
for. If all you need is a little bit of cash to be on your way, then
perhaps looking to your friends and family is the way to go. However,
if you think what you really need is a partner to grow this idea to the moon,
it may be worthwhile to pursue a professional angel investor as not only a
source of funding, but also a mentor. Remember to begin pursuing funding months before you need it and be patient.
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