Investment Criteria

Investment Criteria

Companies that apply to the InVenture Angels Network are typically early stage A or B rounds, but startups and second stage companies will be considered on individual basis. Most of the applying companies typically have some revenue, and are seeking $150K to $2m in capital, and usually having already raised funding from the founders, friends, and family.

InVenture Angels members invest in high-quality investment opportunities in Michigan competitive edge type technologies that include: information technology, advanced manufacturing, security [homeland security (typically IP Security)], and life sciences/healthcare. These type industry clusters include the notable Michigan’s smart manufacturing revolution Industry 4.0 and core components include, robotics, Industrial Internet of Things, big data and artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, cybersecurity, cloud computing and modeling simulation and visualization, and, the Michigan’s next-generation mobility connectivity industry. Additionally, the traditional Michigan high growth type segments of business services and consumer products.

The criteria listed below are frequently asked questions by the InVenture Angels Network Screening Committee:

Management

  • All senior management experience (including start-ups)
  • Previous experience working together
  • Complete team

Market opportunity

  • Market definition
  • Market size
  • Market growth rate
  • Major competitors

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Company strategy

  • Products or services that fill a significant unmet need
  • Competitive advantages (price, patent, lead time, skilled team, etc.)

Intellectual property

  • Protectable intellectual property
  • Number of patents granted
  • Number of patents applied for
  • Scope and strength of patents
  • Licenses owned

What the company needs

  • Resources beyond capital
  • Customers introductions
  • Distribution partners
  • Key team members vacancies
  • Advisors

Liquidity event

  • Plausible exit strategy when and how

Technology

  • Is technology proven
  • Time to prototypes
  • Time to first ship

Capital structure

  • Amount requested
  • Type of investment
  • Management invested (skin in the game)
  • Date and price of previous rounds
  • Are prior investors participating in round
  • Loans outstanding

Marketing

  • Is company effectively communicating its message
  • How company distinguished from the competition

Proposed deal

  • Amount requested
  • Use of funds
  • Pre-money valuation
  • Post-money valuation
  • Terms

Company financial status

  • Current cash burn rate
  • How much cash on hand
  • Cash flow
  • Quarters to break even
  • Milestones