Hey - it’s Jason Yeh 🕺🏻

This is my Friday recap of thoughts I’ve had while helping founders solve their fundraising challenges this past week (4.1.22)

If you have any questions, please reply! I try to get to every comment/question I get :)

On to the Fieldnotes for 4.1.22…

9 Ways Angel Investors Can Help Your Startup

For an early-stage startup, angel investors provide an essential source of funding that can often make or break a company’s ability to survive.

Angel investors can also benefit founders and fulfill essential roles in less obvious ways- that’s why one of our core teachings is to build and leverage an Angel Army throughout your fundraising journey.

What is one way your angel investors help you (besides the obvious injection of capital)?

To help startup founders understand the various ways angel investors can assist, we asked fellow startup leaders and entrepreneurs this question for their best insights. From leveraging industry connections to lending credibility, here are several ways that angel investors can help your startup succeed.

Personal Support & Networks

Support- A handful of our investors made themselves readily available - "Seriously, call whenever. I want to see you and the team be successful." Through opening this channel, they have provided me a space to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. One of them even shared his office space in a prime spot in Austin for us to bunk up in order to save cash. Our offices are next to each other and his doors always open. Game changer.

Networks- On many occasions, I have sent a forwardable email to one of our investors with a list of their connections I conjured together through LinkedIn asking for intros. And they have not only made the connections to CEOs but have vouched for me. Their endorsement and trust has not only opened doors but has provided me confidence to get in front of more C-suites as we continue to build.

Walker Ryan, Parq

Leverage Industry Connections

Angel investors often invest in specific industries where they accumulated experience and build relationships. Their broad networks are usually unique assets they bring to the business. It enables founders to establish contact with business leaders and other advisors. They may also recommend other trusted firms across the supply chain to unlock synergies and expedite building competitive advantage.

Michael Sena, SENACEA

Celebrities Bring Visibility, Credibility, & Branding Power

Some of our angel investors are celebrities. Their name recognition, obviously, helps us a great deal. It assists in raising the profile of our brand and all of our products. Right after Snoop Dogg became an investor with us, we did a Facebook Live to announce it. Doing these kinds of appearances definitely helps our online presence as well.

Bill Glaser, Outstanding Foods

When actor and activist Jaime King invested in my startup, it gave us a new layer of credibility. There is a lot of compelling data in favor of influencer marketing, so finding a well-known investor is advisable in the founder community. People trust celebrities, so having one get behind your brand is an effective way to expand your total addressable market.

Rachel Blank, Allara

You Can Learn About their Other Ventures

If you're lucky enough to find an angel investor, you should also understand that their worth far exceeds a monetary value. Most have worked with numerous companies, and perhaps even with several in your own niche. This means that this isn't their first time around the block, and they've gained valuable experience along the way, which you, too, can learn from as you build your brand.

Lauren Kleinman, The Quality Edit

(continue to read the next 5 tips…)

Smart Twitter Takes

Momentum can get addictive…and then all of the sudden overwhelming 

A thread to build some empathy for VCs and their fundraising challenges (don’t hate me)

Till next week. Stay adamant and be chased.

Jason

P.S. The humor and cleverness of the internet is unbounded

In case you missed it…

Our last article explained why founders need to prioritize narrative and hook investors with their story instead of getting bogged down in the details:

Small asks!

If you thought this was helpful or enjoyable in anyway, I’d love for you to:

• Share this newsletter with others who would enjoy it using your referral link above

• Follow me on Twitter where I’ve begun building in public (my course, my podcast, etc)!

• Ask me your fundraising questions so I can help you and cover them in a future issue

• Listen with a friend to Funded, my podcast that tells the rollercoaster stories of how founders raised millions (and subscribe🙏)

Feedback Time!