All-island umbrella group for angel investors HBAN is today publishing a step-by-step Entrepreneur Guide aimed at demystifying the process of raising business angel investment.
The guide is titled Raising Business Angel Investment – Insights for Entrepreneurs and has been compiled by HBAN, based on its many years of working with business angel investors and syndicates. HBAN is a joint initiative of IntertradeIreland and Enterprise Ireland and operates in partnership with the Irish Business Innovation Centres and Halo NI.
Business angels usually provide finance at an earlier stage than many venture capital funds and are increasingly investing alongside the seed venture capital funds in Ireland.
Business angel investment is an important source of funding and in 2012, there was €90m of angel funds available, via the formal business angel networks throughout Ireland, for investment in Irish high-potential start-ups.
The guide contains advice on the equity raising process, funding tips and information on what an investor is looking for, including the top three criteria used by investors when assessing the attractiveness of a proposition. It also outlines how to prepare a business plan and executive summary that will best present the company to potential investors.
How to cut a deal
“There is a vibrant entrepreneurial culture in Ireland at present and access to funding is key,” Michael Culligan, the national director of HBAN, explained.
“Through our relationship with the business angel community on the island, we have met with many Irish entrepreneurs and we could see there was a need for greater understanding of business angel investment.
“In this guide we are trying to demystify the equity raising process and advise entrepreneurs on how they should correctly approach business angel investment.
“It also outlines the level of commitment expected of both the investor and the entrepreneur before, during and after any deal is done,” Culligan added.
The Entrepreneur Guide is now available for free download from HBAN.org/resources or as a hard copy by contacting HBAN.
Business angel image via Shutterstock
