Chapter 9
Demystifying Angel Investors
IN THIS CHAPTER
Understanding the roles of angel investors
Learning what angel investors look for
Knowing how to find and pitch to angel investors
Do you know the name Mike Markkula? If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have Apple — no Mac computers, no iPod, no iPhone, none of that. Markkula was the original angel investor at Apple Computer, Inc., in 1977.
Not only did Markkula provide critical early funding to launch the Apple II computer, he provided managerial support for founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Jobs even convinced Markkula to join Apple as its first chairman and second CEO.
In popular culture, angels are bright, luminescent winged creatures. Though angel investors don’t have wings, they are guiding lights of the startup world because they help startup companies and founders. (Hey, that’s you!) Angel investors support firms financially in exchange for ownership stock or convertible debt.
How Angels Help You Fly
Angel investors play a far bigger role than just supplying capital. They are growth catalysts, risk-takers, mentors, and connections to the proverbial movers and shakers in your industry. If you find a particularly ...
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