Thursday, February 03, 2005

2005's Angel Investor

"You've probably heard the rumors: Angel investors aren't as angelic as they used to be. Such investors, generally wealthy individuals, have been essential to American entrepreneurs, betting on early-stage ventures that frighten most other investors. But angels are getting a lot harder to please. And that has implications for any entrepreneur seeking seed funding. "

"The good news is that angels are picking up much of the slack from venture capital funds, which are increasingly focusing on later-stage outfits. Last year alone, 42,000 angels plowed $18.1 billion into early-stage companies, compared with a mere $304 million plunked down by VCs, according to a recent study by the University of New Hampshire's Center for Venture Research."

"But while angels have always had high hopes for the companies they invest in, these days they rely a lot less on their guts than they do on the facts, says David Rose, chairman of the New York Angels, a 50-member group in Manhattan."

"Not surprisingly, the shift dates back to the dot-com crash -- which made all investors more risk-averse. As a result, most angels are interested only in companies that are likely to post positive cash flow within 12 to 18 months. "I want to know if I can double, quadruple, or increase my investment tenfold in five years," Rose says. Unless you already have a service or product, a few customers, and an exit plan, that's not likely to happen."

Read more here.

For more information, visit www.EvanCarmichael.com.

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