The following programs were developed based on the years of experience of First Angel Network in the early stage capital ecosystem. Each program is customizable and appropriate for entrepreneurs, angel investors and other economic development professionals. The programs are content rich, fast paced and delivered by internationally recognized facilitators.
For entrepreneurs:
Investment Readiness:
The objective of this program is to create more awareness and educate entrepreneurs on the issues and processes involved in raising capital through the sale of equity. The program focuses on the particular problems inexperienced entrepreneurs have that result in their companies being unable to raise sufficient capital to grow. That’s not because the entrepreneurs who own and operate the business don’t have a good business. Many do. The problem is that they do not know the right ways to prepare their business for outside investment.
This program aims at providing entrepreneurs with a comprehensive, concise educational experience that helps them gain the understanding and skills required to successfully raise capital for their business.
Pitching to U.S. Investors
This program targets entrepreneurs who are looking to raise capital in the U.S.A. It focuses on the cultural differences and helps develop strategies to deal with the perceptions U.S. investors have about investing in Canada. The program helps entrepreneurs explain the many benefits Canadian private companies have over their U.S. counterparts. Entrepreneurs who take this program will be better equipped to understand and present a compelling case to invest in their opportunity.
Commercialization
This two-day program walks entrepreneurs, inventors and researchers through the process of taking an idea and getting it into the commercial market. It examines the processes in product development and validation, intellectual property issues, business development, capital requirements, licensing vs. spin-out, valuation and financial projections. Commercializing Medtech also explores the unique issues facing medical/ life science technologies in getting to market. The program also includes elements of critical skill building such as negotiations skills and issue management.
For Angel Investors:
Angel Investing – Is it Right for You?
This introductory session enables current and new or prospective angel investors to understand how to think about angel investing as an asset class. The session covers how the investment process works, and then an overview of how to put a deal together, including valuing a company, completing due diligence, structuring a deal, essential elements in a term sheet, and closing the deal.
Angel Investing 101
This program is meant to introduce the concept of angel investing to high-net-worth individuals. The goal is to ensure participants have an understanding and a guide to the best practices in private equity investing. The program is also meant to provide networking opportunities for those interested in investing in this asset class and opportunities to discuss models of angel investing. Ultimately the goal is to increase the number of active angel investors.
Due Diligence
Effective due diligence is one of the most critical steps in successful angel investing. This half-day workshop takes the angel investor through the key issues that will determine major risk factors and deal breakers. The workshop emphasizes what must be confirmed, the cost of confirming, and the risk of not knowing. Workshop attendees learn what it takes to validate the plan and to define and mitigate the risk of investment. They will be presented with a disciplined approach that ultimately educates the entrepreneur and begins the investor relationship.
Understanding Term Sheets
A term sheet lays the groundwork for ensuring that the parties involved in a business transaction are in agreement on most major aspects of the deal, thereby precluding the possibility of a misunderstanding. Because investment terms, company valuation, and the longer-term implications of investment terms are not “one size fits all”, it is important that investors understand the definition of terms and their application in each distinct deal.