Angel Insights Blog

By: Warren Spiwak, IBTX Partner

ACA Affinity Partner IBTX recognizes the risk that angels and startups face.  Now during these unique and extremely challenging times, these risks are more complex then ever before.  IBTX Partner Warren Spiwak recently sat down with ACA to discuss what angels need to be aware of and what the IBTX team of dedicated risk management professionals can do to create innovative solutions to fit the unique needs of the startup ecosystem. 

By: Dror Futter, Legal and Business Adviser to Startups, Venture Capital Firms and Technology Companies

The SEC announced a series of amendments (likely to be effective early next year) to the rules governing private offering exemptions – by far the most frequent path for venture fundraising.  The amendments retain the same “menu” of exemptions but make incremental improvements. For the early stage community, the amendments include a very useful provision that excludes “Demo Days” from being considered general solicitations provided certain conditions are met. 

By: Russ Krajec, CEO of BlueIron

Due diligence is essential for any business deal, and IP due diligence is shockingly left out of the equation for most angel investors and venture capital investors. 

By: Nicholas McKinley, CEO of Verafī

Verafī, ACA’s new Affinity Partner, has a unique background that generates the knowledge and experience to assist angels in completing the valuable due diligence needed to ensure confidence in personal and investment decisions. 

By: Robert Weber, Managing Partner of Great North Ventures, an Upper Midwest Venture Fund

Angel investors and advisors, have you checked in with your tax advisor lately? If not, may I suggest a good reason to do that would be to discuss Section 1202 of the U.S. Tax Code.

By: Pat Gouhin, Chief Executive Officer

The Angel Capital Association’s continued advocacy toward harmonizing and simplifying the existing framework to improve capital raising pathways and expand investment opportunities has yielded successful results for U.S. investors. 

By: Emily Angold, ACA Marketing Manager

ACA emails have a new look!  The Angel Capital Association’s top priority is to service our members by providing resources to help with making smart investments and improving returns.  Whether it is an upcoming event or a new piece of legislation, ACA wants to help our members easily identify the benefits that are most applicable to each individual.  We are thrilled to unveil our refreshed email design to make content straightforward and accessible. 

Editor’s Note – This story originally appeared in the Idaho Business Review by Sharon Fisher and reposted with permission by the Angel Capital Association.

Kevin Learned is on his third career, and he’s not done yet.  To many Idaho companies, Kevin Learned isn’t just an icon, he’s ang angel.  That’s “angel” as in angel investing, where people invest money early in a new company’s career to help it get off the ground.  But that’s only what he’s done most recently.  While most of use are satisfied with a single career, Learned has had three. 

By: Kelley Skoloda, Next Act Fund

America’s small businesses have become the engines for job creation. That is great news for not only for entrepreneurs but also for me. 

By: Pat Gouhin, Chief Executive Officer

After ACA’s multi-pronged, multi-year advocacy for amendment to the “accredited investor” definition, we are pleased to report we’ve met with success. The Securities and Exchange Commission announced yesterday that the definition of an “accredited investor” has preserved the existing income thresholds and has been expanded to provide more access to private equity by allowing investors to qualify based upon new criteria.