What is an Angel Investor? Find Out Today

Yes, "angel investors" are literally agents of blessing -investment compared to most investments.
affluent people who invest on start-up businessHence, most investors invest their sum of money to
owners. What is an angel investor, one may ask. To"semi-charitable" causes to sort of justify the leeway
some people, they are known as a business angel orgiven to the expenditure. Most companies in the
informal investor. One thing is certain first of all, theyUnited States do secure angel funding. These
exist in the business world.companies range from software industries, health
There are a number of websites or businesscare services, medical services and equipment
directories which grant a small entrepreneur someproviding companies.
ideas of possible financiers for his business. It shouldSince investors enter into a high-risk situation by
be noted though that financial funding provided bychoosing to fund start-up businesses, they usually
"angel investors" is neither pure donation nor charity.require a very high return on investment - typically an
The amount invested by these angel investors areamount 10 or more times higher than their original
expected to be profited from at a later time throughinvested amount. Typically, they expect this return in
debt payment or ownership equity.a period of five to seven years. Since they are
Given such set-up, it must be important for aaware of the potential loss as well, given the
start-up retailer to ensure that his small business has"unstable venture," angel investors require a defined
the makings of a seriously potential success story, asexit strategy from the entrepreneur which includes
the amount of investment of an angel investor, ispossibility of public offering or acquisition.
dependent on this factor. Compared to ventureThere is no sure formula in meeting angel investors
capitalists that pool together money from variousto invest in one's business. Oftentimes though, one
investors, an angel investor, typically invests his ownmay expect very wealthy retired entrepreneurs or
funds.company executives, to be interested in angel
The amount given by investors, called the angelinvesting for reasons beyond monetary benefits.
capital, is usually used as seed funding for theCommonly, there are types of angel investors who
business to sustain the start-up financial costs ofkeep themselves linked to an industry they have
running the business. Usually, angel investors areworked for, as such remains close to their hearts.
family and friends of the entrepreneur. Should thisThis is their way of maintaining relations and updating
not be the case, one thing remains consistent, trustthemselves of current developments in a specific
and faith in the entrepreneur is a strong factor priorbusiness arena. Otherwise, their "angel investing," is
to the surrendering of the angel capital to the aspiringsomething they consider as a form of mentoring
businessman.another generation of entrepreneurs. After all, should
There is no specific and standard amount prescribedthey provide the seed capital, they will inevitably get
as angel capital. They can range from a fewinvolved in the project; thereby allowing that they
thousand, to a few million. Given such, it is usuallyget to use their experience and networks, which
expected by angel investors that their "loaned"somehow yields personal satisfaction and reward.
amount would not yield immediate return of