Customer Reviews

Attracting Capital From Angels: How Their Money - and Their Experience - Can Help You Build a Successful Company

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am planning a new business, and payed for this book, along with express shipping, since it is very topical. I feel cheated since the book is completely worthless. My only consolation is writing this review.

There is not enough information in this book to make a newspaper article. Aside from very short interviews with Angels that are scattered randomly among the pages, the book consists of constant repitition of a few very simple ideas:

1. Angels invest their own money, VC invest other peoples
2. Some Angels may be able to help you with your business. Some may not.
3. Don't waste potential investors time, make sure your business plan is short and reasonable.

Thats the whole book. Many other reviewers (who signed themselves "A Reader") praised this book. I have to question their impartiality.

If you are planning a new business and looking for investors, I can offer you some free and valuable advice. Don't waste your time reading this book.

A real gem! In over 35 years as a serial entrepreneur, investment banker and angel investor, I've come across dozens of books addressing various aspects of raising money, writing a business plan and/or finding investors. Most rehash existing theories and consolidate existing sources of research and advice on the topic. Brian and Dee have done a remarkable job of gathering fresh information through direct interviews, original essays and new surveys. The result is a truly enlightening, useful and very readable work which should become The Bible for anyone thinking of starting a business, financing an existing one, or investing as an angel themselves.

A must read even for someone just interested in learning more about Angel Investing, a little known area of our economy which just happens to be one of the most powerful drivers of our free enterprise system.

Bob Geras,
President
LaSalle Investments Incorporated

"Dee and Brian have diligently researched and compiled a manual for all entrepreneurs seeking Angel funding and advice. While most books on Angels and venture capital focus on abstract concepts and financial theory, this one is directly relevant to real situations and contains invaluable tips to successfully secure funding for many ventures in a difficult environment."

Frank A. McGrew IV
Memphis Angels

"Attracting Capital From Angels" is a great step by step primer on how to attract the right angel investors to help finance and build your business. I think that it's an easy to follow guide which integrates real angel experiences with recommendations that are very helpful. The Q&A format asks many of the questions that are probably on the minds of many entrepreneurs as they read the book! ...An Angel Investor From the Midwest

I'm part of the Angel community myself, and I also mentor startup founders on how to work effectively with the investment community, and I would recommend this book to anyone in this position. It is a well-written explanation of how Angels work, how they differ from VCs, and how to find them. I like the fact that it is punctuated with quotes and mini-interviews with real Angels and investors from around the country. Definitely a must read.

Martin Zwilling
CEO & Founder, Startup Professionals, Inc.
[...]

"I've just finished reading "Attracting Capital From Angels" by Power & Hill and I immediately phoned our University bookstore. "Attracting Capital From Angels: How their Money & Their Experience Can Help You Build a Successful Company" has just been added to their last tremendous book "Inside Secrets to Venture Capital" as the two main texts for our MBA class in Venture Capital.

These no-nonsense texts cut through the myth and hype about raising venture capital. They are clear and concise: powerful tools for raising funds that should never be more than an arms-length away from your business plan."

Dr. Bruce Borup
Asst. Professor of Entrepreneurship
Chair, Business Administration Department
Alaska Pacific University

I would recommend this book only to the complete novice to angel and venture investing. I was hoping for more details regarding the angel investing process. One thing it teaches, though, is that angel investors are much less sophisticated and organized than professional venture capitalists (the way I understood it). What it feels like is a collection of experiences with the interpretation left mostly to the reader. Great if that's what you're looking for.

How to find angel investors, how to approach them, what they look for, why they invest - it's all here. Not just one person's opinion, "Attracting Capital" is based on solid research and interviews with over 30 accredited investors. If you only buy one book on angel investors, make sure it's this one.

"The complexity of business in economically demanding times makes finding constructive angels that much more challenging. The advice and tips in Attracting Capital from Angels are, therefore, invaluable. The wisdom offered here is not just for start-ups or neophytes, but is a well-timed companion to already existing resources and approaches to helping a business in all phases of development. It's also a great manual for people who want to share their knowledge (and invest capital) as an angel. I plan to recommend Attracting Capital from Angels to every entrepreneur I run into in the future who asks for mentoring sources. Great job!" (Bob Bozeman, General Partner, Angel Investors, LP)

The approach taken for "Attracting Capital From Angels" is unique. The authors depend not just on their own areas of knowledge, but also on the opinions, and knowledge of others in the field through surveys, short questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The reader gains a sense of how the game is played from the players themselves.

Enjoyable to read with lots of true life anecdotes from both entrepreneurs who have obtained venture capital and the angel investors themselves.

A must read for entrepreneurs on the hunt for investors.