May 17-26

ACA Angel University is virtual! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from experienced gurus.  See below for exact program dates from May 17  to May 26, 2021.

Separate registration is required for each of these programs.  Certificates of completion with professional angel investing training hours will be awarded for each registrant completing a specific track or the whole University. 

Angel Investing Basics:

Angel Investing Deeper Dive:

 

ACA Angel University Pricing

 

Total of 7 workshops 

Total of 6 workshops 

Total of 5 workshops 

Total of 4 workshops 

Total of 3 workshops 

Total of 2 workshops 

Any 1 workshop

ACA MEMBERS

             

Regsitered for Summit

$1000

$900

$775

$650

$500

$350

$175

Not Registered for Summit

$1025

$925

$800

$675

$525

$375

$200

NON-MEMBERS

             

Registered for Summit

$1075

$975

$850

$700

$550

$400

$225

Not Registered for Summit

$1125

$1025

$900

$750

$600

$450

$250

May 17, 2021 at 11:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern
 
Should you include angel investments in startup companies in your asset portfolio?  Join ACA in a 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. 
 
 

Instructor:
Denise Dunlap
Sage Growth Capital

Moderator:
Juliana Garaizar
Independent Investor

May 18, 2021 at 11:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern
 

Based on the Wiltbank* study, due diligence prior to investment has been demonstrated to be a critical success factor in angel investing.   This ½-day workshop covers the essentials of due diligence including forming an effective DD team, deal killers, the key components evaluating deals, how to dig into the deal and the process of completing task.  The class will included lectures with adequate time for Q&A plus exercises to reinforce the elements of due diligence.  The Seraf book Due Diligence – Evaluating Investment Opportunities will be available for all participants.

* Median returns from this 2007 study were 2.6X monies invested.  For deals for which less than a cumulative 20 hour of due diligence by angels was completed, returns were 1.1X.  For deals on which angels completed greater than 20 hours of due diligence, angels enjoyed returns of 5.9X.

Instructor:
Raza Shaikh
Launchpad Venture

Moderator:
Alex Brown
Beacon Venture Partners

Term Sheet Basics 

May 19, 2021 at 11:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern

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 introductory workshop provides clear, practical information on early-stage term sheets, focused on helping newer angel investors understand deal terms.  The workshop includes lectures and interviews, using a publicly available term sheet template for seed and early stage preferred shares deals.  The course 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.   

 

Instructor:
Erica Duignan Minnihan
Reign Ventures

Instructor:
Kevin Learned
Sage Growth Capital

May 20, 2021 at 11:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern
 

Negotiating the current valuation of seed-stage startups at the time of investment is a critical component of angel term sheets.  Getting valuation right establishes a fair percentage of ownership for both investors and entrepreneurs and optimizes returns for investing angels.  This clinic introduces participants to current trends in valuation and demonstrates three valuation methodologies – the Seraf Method, the Scorecard Method and the Venture Capital Method.  The program closes with a 30-minute exercise in which attendees use these valuation methods to appraise a case study company and hone their newly acquired valuation skills.  Ample time is allocated for Q&A.

Instructor:
Bill Payne
Frontier Angel Fund

Moderator:
Jim Huston
Portland Seed Fund

May 24, 2021 at 11:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern
 
Angels face many challenges when investing in startup ventures. One crucial, but sometimes overlooked, detail is the impact of new funding on the company’s capital structure. Whether funding comes as equity or debt, the savvy investor needs to understand how this round of funding will impact the ultimate outcome for all shareholders. So early stage investors need to be fluent in the structure of cap tables to understand the impact on their potential returns from current and future rounds of funding.

ACA in cooperation with VentureSouth offers entrepreneurs and investors alike a practical education in understanding the details of cap tables through the lifecycle of a startup venture.   This workshop will include a combination of presentations, exercises and a case study to illustrate common cap table mathematics a startup and its investors must consider. Among the important topics to be illuminated are the impacts of: valuation, liquidation preferences, anti-dilution terms, convertible notes, and option pools and vesting.

This workshop assumes some familiarity with basic cap tables, typical deal terms and Excel spreadsheets. Participants are urged to bring a laptop or tablet computer to the workshop to enable participation in the exercises.  

**ACA highly recommends bringing your laptop/tablet to this program to fully participate in this interactive program.

Instructor:
Matt Dunbar
VentureSouth

Moderator:
Nicole Washington
Ohio Tech Angel Fund

May 25, 2021 at 11:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern
 

What do we know about expected returns from angel investments?  Multiple studies on angel investment returns suggests an effective portfolio strategy will be grounded in a variety of investments in multiple business segments.  This workshop presents returns data from five studies of the factors impacting returns on investment and internal rate of return.  Special emphasis will be placed on insights from extensive 2018 studies of two of the larger angel groups. The importance of diversification, time to exit, and investing in specific business verticals is enlightening.

Instructor:
John Harbison
Tech Coast Angels

Moderator:
Rick Timmins
Central Texas Angel Network

 May 26, 2021 at 11:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern
 

Serving as a Director of an early stage angel-backed company is a serious responsibility. This workshop reviews smart practices in forming boards, managing board meetings and serving as a Director—all with the goal of creating an effective governance structure for startups. Key topics will include the legal obligations and risks faced by Directors, how to deal with conflicts of interest and how to navigate trouble zones (such as managing M&A) that occur during a company’s journey from initial investment through exit. Learn how to add value while staying out of trouble!  

Instructor:
Ron Weissman
Band of Angels

Moderator:
John Huston
Ohio Tech Angel Funds