Planting Seed Capital in Your Economic Garden
Community Survivors Anacortes, WA April 1, 2004
Angels and VCs
Funding Rounds
Round Age
Seed Early Mid Late
Investor
Equity Multiple
20-35% 5-10x 20-30% 8-10x
3-12 mo Angels <2 yrs 3-5 yrs 5+ yrs Angels, VCs
VCs, Corporate <25% Institutions <10%
5-8x 2-4x
Varies by investor, perceived risk, time horizon, industry, etc.
Financing Product Dev
Financing Life Cycle
Discovery Basic Research Proof-of Concept Product Design Product Development Manufacturing/ Delivery Pre-seed Seed Funding Funding Venture Funding University Res. SBIR / ATP WA State R&TD Private Res. Individuals (FFF) Angels Seed funds Loans / Bonds Venture funds Institutional Equity Expansion/Mezzanine Operating Cap.
Role of Angels in U.S.
• 200,000 angels invested $15.7 billion in 36,000 ventures in 20021 • Meanwhile, VCs invested $303 million in 148 seed and early stage deals2 • In 1999, only 4,000 out of 700,000 business starts (0.57%) were venture-backed
Bottom Line: Angels help more start ups than the more widely known VCs
1 2
Center for Venture Capital Research – University of New Hampshire National Venture Capital Association 3 National Commission on Entrepreneurship
What are Angel Investors?
Accredited Investors
• Defined term under the Securities Act of 1933
“Any natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person's spouse, at the time of his purchase exceeds $1,000,000;” and “Any natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with that person's spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.” With regard to organizations, an accredited investor is: “a trust with assets in excess of $5 million, not formed to acquire the securities offered, whose purchases a sophisticated person makes.”
Who are Angels?
• Wealthy individual investors who invest directly in a start-up company in return for an equity position • Variety of backgrounds
– – – – Corporate executives Entrepreneurs Venture capitalists Family wealth
Angels
• Invest close to home • Mostly cashed-out entrepreneurs • Value-added (may get actively involved with company) • Patient Capital • Invest in groups • Must be willing to lose entire investment
Center for Venture Capital Research – University of New Hampshire
Profile of an Angel
• • • • • • Prefers to invest within one day of travel In Seattle, often has industry experience Tends to invest in a group Range of investment: $10,000- $1,000,000 Average Investment: $50,000- $500,000 Makes one investment every two years
BusinessFinance.com, 2002
Profile of an Angel
(cont.)
• Individuals with industry experience looking to invest in a good idea • Retired entrepreneurs who like start ups, but not 24 hour stress • “Angels” who want to see others succeed as they did • Invest in what they know … and people they trust
Types of Angel Investors
Guardian Angels - experience in the industry; invest significant time and some money Operational Angels - provide executive experience and management advice Professional Angels – invest for profit, often in areas outside their expertise Financial Angels - invest for profit, in larger amounts
Types of Angel Investors
High Relevant Industry Experience Low
Operational Angel Financial Angel
Guardian Angel
Professional Angel
Low High Relevant Entrepreneurial Experience
The Ideal Angel Provides…
• Capital • Expertise • Key contacts and relationships to expand the company
– Management team – Partners – Customers
• Patience
Angels’ Screening Criteria
Angel investors look for …
• • • • • Geography (nearby) Industry (high growth and/or expertise) Growth potential (large market) Personal attributes of management team Track record of management team
Where to Find Angels
• • • • • Family, friends and neighbors On the street Industry events Referrals from service providers Angel organizations
Angel Alliances
Year 1996 1999 2000 2001 2002 # 10 98 138 126 170
35% facilitators, 40% angel groups Most investments outside of angel groups
Center for Venture Capital Research – University of New Hampshire
Benefits to Investors
Angel groups provide:
• • • • • • A structure for prescreening deals Exposure to more deals Sharing of information and insight Share time and expense for due diligence Deal syndication Camaraderie
More, better, easier, smarter investments
The WTC Angel Network
• Help facilitate new local angel groups • Create a statewide network
Bellingham
Colville
Olympic Pen
Seattle Tacoma Olympia
Wenatchee
Spokane
Kitsap Yakima
Tri-Cities Vancouver
Walla Walla
The WTC Angel Network
• Will enable local investor groups to:
– – – – – Share pre-qualified deal flow Fill investment rounds Attend and share cost for high-value training Reach additional contacts for local events Share information and experiences with other investor groups
• Will enable entrepreneurs to:
– Access more investors, dollars and resources
Why?
• WTC: Round out portfolio of offerings for companies
– – – – – Technical services Research and technology development support SBIR grant preparation Community debt funds Now private equity and business services
• Economic Development
– Fishing, Forestry and Farming are in decline – Small businesses offer most new jobs – Start-ups need capital and advice
• Personal Investment Returns
– Equity investing is not easy – Groups can help increase personal ROI
Starting an Angel Group
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Identify Champion Gather Steering Committee Form group (legally or practically) Recruit members Solicit sponsors Recruit staff Call for business plans Screen companies Hold regular membership meetings Participate in on-going educational events
Chair
Executive Board
Members, Partners1, Exec. Director/Fund Manager
Membership Committee Marketing Committee Meetings Committee Finance Committee
Companies
Screening Committee
Members, Experts2, ED/Manager
Membership
Accredited Investors •Diverse backgrounds •Pay annual dues •Make own investment decisions
Monthly Invest Attend to learn about Meetings in some companies companies based on events and invest occurring following meetings in some Due Diligence
1
Investment Fund
Partners: EDCs, WTC, Universities, etc.
$$
$$
2
Experts: Sponsors, WTC, Specialists, etc.
Thank You
For more information: Washington Technology Center www.watechcenter.org
John M. Fluke Sr. Hall