Why Paying for Angel Due Diligence Was the Best Thing I Ever Did

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

After spending a year and a half trying to handle my angel investing on my own, I was feeling completely over-taxed and burned out. I finally broke down and decided to do two things: 1) empower a more experienced angel to make some investments for me by investing in his fund and 2) bring in someone on a part time basis  to help me with due diligence and deal flow. They were the best moves I’ve ever made.

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We’re Hiring Startup Marketing Talent and Firms

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

The Impact Angel Group is searching for marketing talent to refer to our promising entrepreneurs. We are especially looking for people/firms who are willing to work for equity and deferred compensation, but have a few paid opportunities as well.

Opportunities range from high level brand strategy to marketing intern opportunities. If interested, apply here and spread the word!

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Why I am NOT an Impact Investor

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

The Colorado Capital Conference (in Denver 10/8-10/9) announced its list of presenting companies today and it has solidified my decision to STOP IMPACT INVESTING.

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Posted in Colorado Angel Investors, Social Impact Investing | 6 Comments

Executive Summaries | What do investors really need to see?

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

There are some basic questions that most investors ask before making an investment decision, but very few of the executive summaries I’ve seen actually answer these questions. These incomplete executive summaries are inefficient for investors – we spend far too much time asking basic questions – and it’s inefficient for entrepreneurs – they spend far too much time answering basic questions. Here’s my attempt to change this.

I’ve combined the best qualities of the executive summaries and funding applications I’ve seen to create a standardized executive summary template. What do you think?

Does it include the basic information investors need? Is it too much information? Are there key points missing? Are there existing executive summary templates that are better?

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Posted in Social Impact Investing | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Colorado Fall Angel Investor Can’t Miss Events

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

There is no shortage of angel investor events in Colorado this fall, so mark your calendars! Note: Deadlines for early bird pricing and applications to present are approaching, so get on it!

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Impact Investing | Capital is NOT the Problem

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

After meeting a gentlemen who is sitting on 20 million dollars in cash and would like to invest for impact, but is frustrated by a lack of opportunities to do so – I am officially convinced that ACCESS TO CAPITAL IS NOT THE PROBLEM. There are people who want to invest to make a difference, but here’s why they aren’t doing it:

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Posted in Social Impact Investing | 2 Comments

Social Impact Fund Showcase – September 7th

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

Interested in making a difference and realizing a financial return? The impact investing industry is expected to reach over 500 billion in assets within the next decade and many innovative social impact funds are based right here in Colorado. Join the HUB Boulder, Impact Angel Group, Unreasonable Angels, Investor Avenue and Rockies Venture Club for a Social Impact Private Equity Fund Showcase.   The event is open to accredited investors only and is expected to sell out. 

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Six Places to See/Pitch Angel Deals in Colorado

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

Colorado is booming with startup activity and here are six of the best places to see or pitch angel deals:

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How to Make a Demo Day Successful – Lessons from the Unreasonable Institute

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

It seems as if I get an invitation to join an accelerator Demo Day on a weekly basis these days, but I hardly ever attend them. It’s expensive and time consuming to travel and seeing a company’s five minute pitch doesn’t really tell me much more than I could learn by reading their executive summary in my pajamas. Last week however, I did attend the Unreasonable Institute Investor Dayz and was blown away. I learned more in the three days I spent there, than I’ve learned in the last three months, and I think it was incredibly valuable for both the entrepreneurs and the investors. Here’s why:
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Posted in Social Impact Investing | 4 Comments

Why I Won’t Invest in Convertible Debt

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Elizabeth Kraus

Convertible debt seems to be an increasingly popular vehicle for angel investing. While it has it’s benefits, it also has it’s drawbacks, but there are certain instances when I WILL NOT INVEST in convertible debt. Here’s one of them:

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Posted in Social Impact Investing | Tagged , | 4 Comments