Attracting Capital From Angels: How Their Money—and Their Experience—Can Help You Build a Successful Company (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author) "It's really this simple: Angel investors are the start-up entrepreneur's best friend..." (more)
Key Phrases: gel investors, angel investing, angel investment, Band of Angels, Prairie Angels, Silicon Valley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"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. Its 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)

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN

This book offers all the information entrepreneurs need for finding elusive angel investors. Comprehensive, eminently readable, and based on the authors years of experience dealing with venture capital firms, angels, and entrepreneurs, this book covers all the angles on angels:

• What are angels and what do they want?
• Different types of angels
• Pitching and preparing for angels
• Finding angels
• Working with angels
• The future of angel investing

Attracting Capital from Angels is the ultimate guide to finding the money your business needs to get on its feet–and make a run at success.

From the Inside Flap

Angels are a particularly rare breed of investor. Whereas venture capital firms and funds invest other peoples money in new businesses, angel investors invest their own money. Willing to take great risks, they are the start-up entrepreneurs best friends. Attracting Capital from Angels offers an in-depth look at the white knights of the entrepreneurial world.

Angels most often assist a company when it may be little more than an entrepreneurs dream. Frequently, they offer more than money: serving as coach, mentor, and champion, and often providing guidance from the point of view of one who has experience turning ideas into fortunes.

This book is the product of fifteen years working with, observing, and listening to entrepreneurs and angel investors as they pursued the entrepreneurial dream. It features top-notch research supplemented by in-depth interviews with angel investors and entrepreneurs. The personal stories presented here will help you learn from the mistakes of other entrepreneurs and model your approach on their successes.

From the entrepreneurs point of view, gaining an understanding of the angel as an individual is an important factor in determining whether the partnership will be successful. As such, this book provides an inside look at angel investors and a comprehensive understanding of the "how" and the "why" of what they do. It provides guidance on finding the right angels, avoiding the wrong ones, and making a business work after an angel buys into it.

Topics include:

• Angel investors versus venture capitalists
• How angels identify promising investments
• Selling a business plan to an angel investor
• Spotting frauds and cheats
• The importance of obtaining sound legal advice
• Attracting angels to your business
• Angels approach to valuation
• Working with an angel after closing the deal

Finding capital for your company is one of the most difficult and important tasks an entrepreneur must undertake, and Brian Hill and Dee Power will help you do it right. Both a practical "how-to" book and an authoritative resource on angel investors, Attracting Capital from Angels will tell you everything you need to know to find your own divine source of capital.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (January 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047103620X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471036203
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #671,617 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and original...a must read on an important topic, August 23, 2002

By	Bob Geras "rgeras" (Northbrook, IL United States) - See all my reviews

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

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A complete waste of time and money. , January 23, 2005

By	Daniel Ginensky (Bet Shemesh Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable tips to successfully secure funding, June 17, 2002

By A Customer

"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