Finding the Right Angel Investors for Your Startup in 2023

In the realm of early-stage startups, angel investors shine as essential allies. They bring both crucial initial funding and the valuable expertise needed to kickstart companies. Unlike venture capitalists, who deploy pooled funds, angel investors personally invest their own resources and actively engage with the startups they back. 

Because angel investors bring in not only wealth but also their vast experience, many startups look to them for guidance and mentorship. For this reason, it’s extremely crucial for early-stage startups to find the right angel investor who supports their goals and ideas.

But where do you find angel investors in Australia, and how do you determine who is the right fit for your startup? Read on for our guide.

What is an Angel Investor?

Angel investors are individuals who provide financial support or capital to various entrepreneurial ventures, most especially startups in the early stages of development. They provide this assistance in exchange for equity. 

Compared to venture capitalists, who typically provide financial support when the startup is more established with a high growth potential, angel investors are more likely to invest in the company during the seed stage. In addition, they are seen by startups as assets. 

As angel investors are often affluent and successful entrepreneurs themselves, they can share valuable information and knowledge with startup founders, providing major help to the company. They invest their time, resources, and skills to help the business succeed while maintaining a supporting role with less control and demand. 

How to find Angel Investors?

If you’re a startup looking to bring angel investors on board, here are some places where you can find angel investors:

  1. Angel Investment Network

This website connects Australian entrepreneurs with angel investors worldwide to get the funds you need. After signing up, you’ll need to create a pitch for your business. Once approved, it will be listed on the site for prospective investors to browse and evaluate. If an investor likes your pitch, you will receive an email asking to connect. Once you get their contact details, it’s up to you to discuss, negotiate, and close the deal.

  1. AngelList Venture

AngelList is another online platform where startups can look for investors to partner with for funding. While it primarily caters to tech startups, it provides excellent reach and is a reliable avenue for sourcing angel investors.

To get started, you’ll need to build a personal profile and company profile to get listed in their directory. This will give your startup exposure and allow angel investors to look for you and reach out if they are interested in funding your business.

  1. Angel Capital Association

The Angel Capital Association is a group of accredited investors with members who invest individually or through other angel groups and platforms. Many of them are experienced entrepreneurs with high net worths who want to help lead early seed angel investment rounds. With over 14,000 angel investors in the association, it makes networking easy for future partnerships. You can find their directory of ACA member groups here.

  1. Gust

Gust is another reliable network with a directory of thousands of different startups and accredited angel investors. While the listing makes finding possible investors easier, as they need to be highly qualified to be listed in the directory, it’s still crucial to do your own research about these individuals before working with any of them. You can also opt to work directly with Gust, who can provide assistance in determining your best course of action to get funded. 

  1. Social Media

You’ll be surprised to know that you can also connect with potential investors through social media. X, formerly known as Twitter, is known to have connected various startup founders with angel investors.

If you want to utilise your social platforms and attract investors, you’ll need to start being vocal about your company. Talk about your startup journey and document any updates. This will build an audience and make it easier for investors to find you.

  1. Networking

Attending various networking events is another way to meet potential investors for your startup. Not only will you connect in person, but you’ll also be able to pitch your business quickly and clearly. Research and look around in your local community and nearby cities for big events that can help grow your network.

Finding an angel investor is the first step to funding your startup. You’ll still have to pitch your ideas and hopefully enter into a partnership. Protect your startup and let Lazarus Legal help you deal with legal matters and requirements so you can focus on growing your company. Contact us today or sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about legal news, business trends, and more.

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Mark Lazarus

Mark Lazarus, the visionary behind the business and the fresh blood of the Lazarus Legal team, Mark (or Laz as he is often known) owes much of his success to his past experiences. And he’s made it his personal goal to bring that wisdom and formula to the firm.

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Barry Lazarus

CEO & Notary Public

barry@lazaruslegal.com.au 

We’d be lying if we told you that this bloke isn’t the big honcho of our team, but his name is a dead give-away. The founder of Lazarus Legal, Barry is an old school, tough as nails lawyer. They don’t forge litigators like this anymore.

With decades of experience in both Australia and South Africa, his wisdom is as renowned as his name. Back in the days when Schwarzenegger and Van Damme were kicking ass on VHS, Barry was kicking ass in the courtroom. And after all these years, he still has a reputation for refusing to back down.Barry is definitely the badass you’d want in a fight – in court or otherwise. But really, he’s a big softie. Just don’t let him know you know that (although he probably won’t read this anyway – navigating the Internet is not his strong point).

Aside from putting other lawyers in their place, taking long walks on the beach and spending time with his family, Barry enjoys seeing others succeed. Not only is Barry a staunch and unmoving litigator, he has sharp business and commercial acumen having started up ventures from scratch and growing them into full-blown franchises – from real estate to creating ice cream, to making pasta. With his experience on both sides of the commercial and legal equation, you want this guy to be on your side, whether you’re the next Zuckerberg realising your genius, or the next Zuckerberg taking on your opponents in court.

When Barry is not busy lawyering about, he is a part-time lawn bowler and a wannabe comedian, but never took both as a day job, because let’s face it, he’s a lot better at his day job.

If someone ever threatens you to lawyer up…relax, call Barry and he’ll handle the rest. 

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Mark Lazarus Director

Mark Lazarus

Director

mark@lazaruslegal.com.au 

The visionary behind the business and the fresh blood of the Lazarus Legal team, Mark (or Laz as he is often known) owes much of his success to his past stories and experiences. And he’s made it his personal goal to bring that wisdom and formula to the firm.

He’s a bit of jet setter, splitting his time between Australia and the UK, maximising every hour of his professional life. He thrives on this adrenalin. It allowed him to work in private practice in Sydney, act for a host of famous celebrities in London, do a two year stint as a NSW barrister (and not the pretentious coffee type in the Melbourne laneways) and more recently did a gig as the Legal Director covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa for one of the world’s coolest fast-moving consumer good brands!  

As an Aussie and UK lawyer and former barrister, Mark not only has the gift of the gab but he’ll walk the walk to prove it too. He likes to think he’s a bit like Harvey Specter or Michael Corleone, the main difference is you can actually retain him as your lawyer and consigliere. He’ll tell you how it really is and will take on any challenge head on. Although litigation and court advocacy comes naturally to him, commercial and IP is what gets his blood pumping! 

When Mark is not out there doing his thing, you will probably catch him chilling at home with his family, on the sidelines of the soccer (football) pitch cheering on his two boys, crawling through mud obstacles, or training hard at the gym. Passion and commitment is what drives Mark to succeed, along with his burning desire to disrupt the legal profession by finding new ways to change the game.

He has sights on the future. So if you’re breaking new ground, ahead of the times, and on the verge of something big, but you need someone who’s got your back and who can give you straight up advice, this is the guy you will want on speed dial.

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