ACA Education Workshops
Tempe, AZ - October 9 & 10

Fundamentals of Angel Investing:

Tuesday, October 9
8:00 am - 1:00 pm (Registration and coffee available at 7:30 am and workshop includes networking lunch)
ACA Members $155 ($130 before 9/17) and Non-Members $200 ($175 before 9/17)

Should you include angel investments in startup companies in your asset portfolio?  Join ACA in a new half-day seminar introducing accredited investors to the fundamentals of angel investing, led by seasoned pros.  This is a great chance to get information and insights to determine if angel investing is right for you, to meet other angels to connect to as you consider investment opportunities, and to learn the key points of making good investments.  Many experienced angels tell us they wish they would have had education like this when they first started – it might have saved them some money. The seminar will provide insights into angel investing as an asset class, with a focus on anticipated returns, portfolio strategy, valuation of early-stage companies, conducting due diligence, understanding term sheets and angel involvement in portfolio companies after the investment. Attendees receive a detailed workbook, as well as a copy of The Fundamentals of Angel Investing by Hambleton Lord and Christopher Mirabile (a $25 value), as part of their registration.

The seminar is led by a strong group of angel investors.  The moderator is Bill Payne, an experienced angel investor who has led many education sessions across the US and Denise Dunlap of Loon Creek Capital Group.

ACA is very interested in growing the number of angel investors in the US and beyond, and particularly in growing the diversity of people who become active angel investors.  Participate in discussions, learning and networking with new and experienced angels, and learn the basics.

Term Sheet Basics: 

Wednesday, October 10
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Registration available at 11:30 am and includes networking lunch)
ACA Members $155 ($130 before 9/17) and Non-Members $200 ($175 before 9/17)

You’ve met the founding team and really like the company.  Now it’s time to know if the deal is right for you.  As a new angel, you’ll need to understand the term sheet, the document that outlines the terms and conditions of the agreement between the investors and the startup.  This half-day introductory seminar provides clear, practical information on early-stage term sheets, focused on helping newer angel investors understand deal terms.  The course includes lectures, interviews and an engaging exercise for attendees, using a publicly available term sheet template for seed and early stage preferred shares deals.  The fun exercise will build your understanding of sound term sheets aligned with the interests of both entrepreneurs and early-stage investors, and setting the stage for follow-on investors.  Key concepts covered in the seminar include:

  •  Corporate structures preferred by investors
  • Advantages and disadvantages of equity versus debt and derivative alternatives
  • Practical framework for the important components of term sheets
  • What terms like “liquidation preference” and “participation rights” mean
  • Key terms to address investors’ concerns
  • Basic philosophy for negotiation

 The course is based, in part, on content in an upcoming book, “Termsheets and Valuations,” by Hambleton Lord and Christopher Mirabile of Seraf Investor.  

The lead instructor is Bill Payne, an award-winning angel investor who has taught angel investing seminars across the US and world.