How to Successfully Raise Money on AngelList
As hard as it is to come up with a good startup idea, getting investors on board for it is even harder. Even if you think you have it all figured out and that your idea is solid for investment, reaching potential investors can be a frustrating exercise on its own. Fortunately for startups with potential there is AngelList, which connects them with a network of experienced investors, who can provide the finances and valuable advice to get your startup rolling in the right direction. Here are a few things you should be mindful of before you list your startup on AngelList.
Instructions
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1
Workout the basics first
While AngelList brings a new approach to investment, the basics still need to be worked out for you to be successful. You need a capable team, defined short-term and long-term goals, a product that has room in the market and plans to effectively and efficiently utilize the capital. Remember, on AngelList, your first impression may very well be your last, your presentation will not be limited to just one or two investors but the whole network, which means, if you don’t do well, you will not gain any traction and will not be getting a second chance either. -
2
Look at the success stories
There is no harm in looking at the cases and people who have successfully attracted investments using AngelList in order to fine-tune your own listing. Around 400 companies raised capital during the first 18 months of AngelList getting active, which means there are plenty of case studies and people for you to contact and learn from. -
3
Know what and who you need
It is part of your homework to assess the needs of your startup other than the capital. You should be looking at investors who have holdings in your sector and are known to invest in your industry. Before you even list yourself, you need to have an idea of the kind of investors you intend to target. If you are going to be reaching out to people who have no links or investments in your industry, you will show other investors that you haven’t researched enough. -
4
Link to a video
No matter how many slides you have and how much detail they give, nothing beats a good video. You can either have a purpose-shot video or link investors to any interviews you may have given in regards to your startup. This can help you considerably more than simple text and slides. -
5
Get your existing investors to market you
If you have any existing investors, get them onto AngelList and encourage them to promote and endorse you. This will not only get you more traction but your investors will also get to build their own profiles alongside promoting you to their followers and other potential angels.
