Small businesses and early-stage companies exist in an exciting economic landscape that offers a lot of opportunities to ambitious entrepreneurs. Depending on the nature of a business and its demands, there are a number of ways to attract capital. Some startups begin with investments from friends and family until they feel prepared to pursue other sources of capital. Some try crowdsourcing or apply for a small business loan. More still approach angel investors and venture capitalists to ensure financing for their company. Knowing the difference between angel investors and venture capital investors is necessary to make the right decision for your business going forward.
Angel investors vs. venture capitalists
As two of the most common alternative sources of funding, angel investors and venture capitalists have a number of similarities. Both angels and venture capitalist firms cater to innovative startup businesses, and both tend to prefer companies related to technology and science. That being said, there are a number of important differences between venture capitalists and investors.
1. An angel investor works alone, while venture capitalists are part of a company.
Angel investors, sometimes known as business angels, are individuals who invest their personal finances in a startup. Angels are rich, often influential individuals who choose to invest in high-potential companies in exchange for an equity stake. Given that they are investing their own money and there is always an inherent risk, it’s highly unlikely that an angel will invest in a business owner who isn’t willing to give away a part of their company.
Venture capital firms, on the other hand, comprise a group of professional investors. Their capital will come from individuals, corporations, pension funds and foundations. These investors are known as limited partners. General partners, on the other hand, are those who work closely with founders or entrepreneurs; they are responsible for managing the fund and ensuring the company is developing in a healthy way.
2. They invest different amounts.
If you’re looking into the possibility of approaching a venture capitalist or an angel investor, you’ll need an accurate idea of what they’ll be able to provide financially. Typically, angels invest between $25,000 and $100,000 of their own money, though sometimes they invest more or less. When angels come together in a group, they might average more than $750,000.
While angel investing is a generally quick solution, you should note that, because of their relatively limited financial capacity, angel investors can’t always finance the full capital requirements of a business. Venture capitalists, on the other hand, invest an average of $7 million in a company.
3. They have different responsibilities and motivations.
Angels investors are primarily there to offer financial support. While they might provide advice if you ask for it, or introduce you to important contacts, they are not obliged to do so. Their level of involvement depends on the wishes of the company and the angel’s own inclinations.
A venture capitalist looks for a strong product or service that holds strong competitive advantage, a talented management team and a wide potential market. Once venture capitalists are convinced and have invested, it is then their role to help build successful companies, which is where they add real value. Among other areas, a venture capitalist will help when it comes to establishing a company’s strategic focus and recruiting senior management. They will be on hand to advise and act as a sounding board for CEOs. This is all with the aim of helping a company make more money and become more successful.
4. Angel investors only invest in early-stage companies.
Angel investors specialize in early-stage businesses, funding the late-stage technical development and early market entry. The funds an angel investor provides can make all the difference when it comes to getting a company up and running.
Venture capitalists, on the other hand, invest in early-stage companies and more developed companies, depending on the focus of the venture capital firm. If a startup shows compelling promise and a lot of growth potential, a venture capitalist will be keen to invest.
A venture capitalist will also be eager to invest in a business with a proven track record that can demonstrate it has what it takes to succeed. The venture capitalist then offers funding to allow for rapid development and growth.
5. They differ in due diligence.
Due diligence is an area that has provoked a lot of debate for angel investors over the years. Some angels do almost no due diligence – and they aren’t really bound to, given that all the money is their own. However, it has been shown that when angel investors do at least 20 hours of due diligence, they are five times more likely to see a positive return.
Venture capitalists need to do more due diligence, given that they have a fiduciary responsibility to their limited partners. Venture capitalists can spend in excess of $50,000 when it comes to researching their investment prospects.
These are the most pressing differences between angel investors and venture capitalists, and the decision of which to approach is a very personal one for an entrepreneur. To improve the odds of securing investment and appealing to an investor, you should take the time and consideration to create a detailed, compelling pitch. With any luck, you’ll end up with the financial and entrepreneurial support to skyrocket your business.
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