Surreal Entrepreneur

While discussing the negotiation and structure of the deals you strike up with an Angel Investor concerning how the shares will be divided and how they will be monetized, we also discussed what value you are placing on the relationship between you and that angel. This perspective is tantamount to this weeks discussion. We are going to look at what other things the angel can contribute besides just money.

While the angel has a very important part of your start up funding they also may posses other characteristics and expertise that you can tap into. Most angels come complete with a list of other qualities that you need to investigate:

• Network of other professionals
• Managerial experience
• Entrepreneurial experience

You truly need to gauge the amount of help that the person will be able to offer you in your specific company and then remember to reward them for their help. Most entrepreneurs will underestimate the amount of help that an Angel investor will be willing to give, beyond simply financial support. Also on the other hand to this perspective you need to remember that it is your business and you don’t need to have another person pointing the company in a direction that doesn’t sync up with the basic values of the company and it’s owners. So being able to slowly integrate the angel into leadership roles is a smart plan, allowing them to understand that it is your company and they are there as mainly a financier and a mentor when needed.

Your business might need the initial Angel Investors for later rounds of financing so remember that no matter what, you must keep a friendly relationship with your investors unless you are truly not interested in continuing to work with them again. However, expect every angel relationship to be a long partnership and not just a fleeting financing and dismissal. If they took interest in your initial movements they will most likely want to watch your company for a long time, most likely until your exit.