Five Tips to Finding the Perfect Business Angel Investor
January 12, 2010 by
Filed under angel investors
No matter where you are in the world, there is an investor actively looking for viable businesses to invest in. Could yours be one of them?
If you are a new business owner or you have an idea for a business, an angel investor could give you the boost you need to take your business forward. Be forewarned, however, that investors don’t just hand their money over; they only invest in businesses that they deem to have potential. And of course, they need to feel comfortable with you, the business owner.
You also need to feel comfortable working with them. So how do you know that you’ve found the perfect angel investor to work with? Follow these 5 tips:
The investor must commit to teaching you everything he/she knows about business. Remember, these investors are entrepreneurs themselves; they’ve already made their way in the business world.
The investor must be willing to provide you with start up capital. If you can’t pay for your business, you will go bankrupt quickly. It is imperative that you have sufficient cash flow.
The investor must be willing to share his/her business contact list with you. This is an invaluable tool, as these contacts will provide you with future clients/customers. Customers are the lifeblood of any business.
The investor must be willing to participate in your business on a day-to-day basis. This doesn’t mean they have final say on major decisions, just that their input would be valued; remember, they have more experience than you and it’s likely that their decisions are more likely to be the right ones.
Most important, you and the investor must get along. Meet with them a few times before entering into a partnership of any kind. Discuss your priorities, and what each of you expects out of the partnership. Don’t be surprised if your would-be angel investor wants partial ownership of your business. After all, the reason they invest in a business is to make a profit!
The most important thing to remember when seeking a private investor is that they are there to help you acquire the skills and knowledge you need to make it on your own. Don’t forget that kind of generosity – once you are successful, make it a point to help other businesses in your city that are starting out, and share the wealth
One of the best websites in this regard is entrepreneurinvestornetwork.com.au, which aims at uniting angel investors looking for business investments in Australia with budding entrepreneurs in the country.Log on to the website today. You will not be disappointed.