An angel investor is an individual who invests their own money into a startup or early-stage company. Angel investors are typically high net worth individuals who are looking to invest in new companies and potentially earn a high return on their investment.
Angel investors can provide startups with the initial funding they need to get off the ground, and can also provide valuable advice and mentorship to help the company grow. In exchange for their investment, angel investors receive an equity stake in the company.
Angel investing is generally considered a high-risk, high-reward form of investing. Because startups are generally unproven and have no track record, angel investors are taking on a significant amount of risk by investing in them. However, if a startup is successful, the potential returns can be very high.
Angel investors may also invest in groups, known as angel groups or angel networks, to pool their resources and make larger investments in startups.
The amount of money that angel investors invest in a startup can vary widely, but it is generally in the range of $25,000 to $100,000. Some angel investors may invest more, while others may invest less.
Angel investors look for startups with a strong team, a unique product or service, and a large potential market. They also look for startups that have a clear plan for growth and a strategy for achieving their goals.
There are a number of ways to find angel investors for your startup, including through online platforms such as AngelList, attending networking events, and reaching out to local angel groups or networks.
Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, was an early angel investor in Google, investing $250,000 in the company in 1998.
Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, was an early angel investor in Facebook, investing $500,000 in the company in 2004.
"Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups" by Jason Calacanis
"The Art of Startup Fundraising" by Alejandro Cremades
"The Angel Investor's Handbook: How to Profit from Early-Stage Investing" by David S. Rose.