Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an Angel Investor?
- What is an Angel Group?
- What makes Sierra Angels different from other Angel groups or early stage funds?
- What is the average stage of the companies that the Sierra Angels invest in?
- Are there any fees to submit to Sierra Angels?
- What is the selection process for companies to present to Sierra Angels?
- What is a dinner meeting like?
- What is a breakfast meeting like?
- How often are the Sierra Angels dinners held?
- Are there any fees to present to Sierra Angels?
- What is the success rate before the Sierra Angels?
- How can I improve my chances of presenting to the Sierra Angels?
- Do you sign NDAs?
- What on-going progress reporting is expected by Sierra Angels investors?
- Q: What is an Angel Investor?
- Q: What is an Angel Group?
- Q: What makes Sierra Angels different from other Angel groups or early stage funds?
- Q: What is the average stage of the companies that the Sierra Angels invest in?
- Q: Are there any fees to submit to Sierra Angels?
- Q: What is the selection process for companies to present to Sierra Angels?
- Q: What is a dinner meeting like?
- Q: What is a breakfast meeting like?
- Q: How often are the Sierra Angels dinners held?
- Q: Are there any fees to present to Sierra Angels?
- Q: What is the success rate before the Sierra Angels?
- Q: How can I improve my chances of presenting to the Sierra Angels?
- Q: Do you sign NDAs?
- Q: What on-going progress reporting is expected by Sierra Angels investors?
An angel investor is an accredited investor who provides capital for a very early stage business start up, usually in exchange for equity or convertible debt. Angel investors often invest in companies that have raised some “Family and Friends” funding, before they are ready for Venture Capital backing.
For a full description of an accredited investor, please refer to the Security Exchange Commission (SEC).
An angel group is a network of Angel Investors who come together to share expertise in assessing business start ups, and pool together their investment capital.
Our high value-added model of working closely with entrepreneurs ensures each company we invest in benefits from the extensive operational experience of our members. Many entrepreneurs have found Sierra Angels’ mentoring to be enormously helpful in both their strategic and operational development.
Our thoughtful selectivity of companies in which to invest combined with our proactive collaboration with other funding and partnering entities helps to ensure that the chosen companies get the focus, support and funding required for success.
We typically make early stage investments following founders,friends & family funding and prior to or concurrent with first venture capital round
No, there are no fees to submit your business plan to the Sierra Angels.
In approximately four weeks following the submission of your business plan, Sierra Angel members will review and discuss your company’s business idea and market potential. The Selection Committee will review all members’ feedback, and decide if your company is ready to present at a Sierra Angels dinner meeting.
A dinner meeting lasts about 3 hours and is usually attended by approximately 40 members and their guests. The meeting starts up with a networking mixer and 2 companies are then invited to present to the Angels. Each presentation is about 20mins long, and is followed by a 10min Q&A session. Dinner is served after the presentations.
Breakfast meetings take place the following morning, beginning at 8am. Each company is given a 1.5 hour time slot with interested investors (typically 8-12), and will be fielded questions in any aspect of their business.
Dinner meetings are held at approximately six week intervals.
There is no charge to present to the Sierra Angels.
About 10-20% of companies that submit business plans to us present at our dinner meetings.
Follow the steps in the “Submit Your Business Plan” section of our website. Ensure you have a well-research and analyzed point of view of all aspects of your business, and further, have articulated them well in your documents.
No, we do not sign NDAs prior to advanced stages of due diligence.
Brief quarterly summaries of progress regarding, product development, customer traction, Financial summaries including P&L and cash flow, key staffing and other critical milestones.
