angel investors Archives - Startup Economist

When Founders Need Referrals to Meet Investors, Fix This About Your Startup Ecosystem

Friday, 08 November 2024 by Paul O'Brien

In a well-functioning startup ecosystem, founders should know who their potential investors are and how to connect with them. In a supportive startup ecosystem, founders should know how to develop ventures that attract attention, supported by journalists and ecosystem leaders who promote fundable startups, so that investors engage them. Yet, we often see founders struggling

Published in Raising Capital, Startup Ecosystems

20 Comments

Founders, VCs Might Not Like My Sharing This, But They Should

Thursday, 21 September 2023 by Paul O'Brien

One of the more challenging skills to help develop in a founder, is being able to discern b.s. from experienced and valid advice. As you might imagine (and I hope you can relate from the all too prolific frequency with which this happens), it’s particularly difficult to know how to put questions back on a

advice advisors angel investors entrepreneurship investors startups vc venture capital

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

13 Comments

“Venture Capital Destroys Value” – What??

Wednesday, 04 August 2021 by Paul O'Brien

The conversation recently had started, “Why do venture capitalists invest in startups if many of them are losing money and destroying value?” and I had to pause when I heard the point of view because I couldn’t even rationalize how someone thinks that way. Then of course it dawned on me that lately there has

angel investing angel investors funding vc venture capital venture capital firms venture capital investing venture capitalists

Published in Industry, Startups

31 Comments

The Funding Flywheel

Wednesday, 09 September 2020 by Paul O'Brien

Businesses and startup founders learn early of a critical methodology in sales referred to as a funnel. Developing products and services, marketing is the process therein by which organizations get to know potential customers and then profile people so as to better understand the needs and motivations. The goal, of course, being the conversion of people

angel investors entrepreneurship flywheel funding fundraising funnel startups venture capital

Published in Advertising, Startups

35 Comments

Why Angel Investors are so Sought After

Tuesday, 18 August 2020 by Paul O'Brien

A great many new ventures are NOT businesses. They don’t yet know customers, have a business model, nor see a clear path to making money. We refer to these as “startups” Startups are distinct from new businesses (and new businesses are not necessarily startups) in that the business model is NOT known. This means such

angel funding angel investing angel investment angel investors angels funding

Published in Startups

8 Comments

How Startups and Small Businesses Differ When it Comes to Funding

Monday, 04 March 2019 by Paul O'Brien

Funding doesn’t determine a startup from a small business; the nature of the business determines the funding. Twist of logic perhaps, so let’s explore it. Very frequently, I find small businesses looking to raise venture capital; let me cut to the chase that such efforts are almost always wasting their time. The distinctions between small

angel investors capital financing funding investors local business raising money small business startup venture capital

Published in Startups

8 Comments

Funding a Venture Before Angel Investors

Monday, 04 March 2019 by Paul O'Brien

This is a tough question to broach with entrepreneurs but it’s one that comes up almost daily. From where does the money come to start?? There is a reason most entrepreneurial success is found by people in their 40s… being able to leverage a network, drawing from experience, and having the money available to start

angel investment angel investors angels funding investment investors

Published in Startups

2 Comments