Ann and Bill Payne’s ACA Angel University will continue to deliver its high quality angel investor curriculum in a convenient, virtual format. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from experienced angels with decades of experience in navigating the ups and downs of private markets.

Participants who complete the first six courses will earn the Basics of Angel Investing Certificate. Participants who complete all nine courses will earn the Advanced Angel Investing certificate. Certificates of completion with professional angel investing training hours will be awarded upon program completion.

Program courses and dates are listed below.  

Separate registration is required for each course. 

The Angel Capital Association engages in numerous data collection efforts to determine the rate of expected returns from angel investments. This course provides an analysis of angel portfolio strategies that are designed to maximize returns/exits and minimize losses. Data will be presented regarding the factors impacting returns on investment and internal rate of return. Topics covered include the importance of diversification, time to exit, investing in specific business verticals, determining the need for follow-on funding, and the role of angels in down markets.

Since start-up companies have a high failure rate, a key component to success as an angel investor is to learn the best practices of evaluating the critical risk factors inherent in any potential early stage investment. This course provides an in-depth exploration of both the risks and rewards of investing in early stage companies. The course covers in specific detail the major risk categories and provides insights into the necessary strategies to potentially mitigate these risks.  A case study exercise utilizing a Risk Canvas template provides participants with hands-on experience to uncovering and addressing risks.

A term sheet is a document that specifically outlines the terms and conditions of the agreement between the investors and the startup organization.  This highly interactive course provides clear, practical information on early-stage term sheets, focused on defining the various terms and conditions that a new angel might review in a term sheet. During the course, participants will be led through the formation of a publicly available term sheet, enabling them to understand the term sheet definitions and overall construction and intent of this highly important document. The course will also explore the various scenarios of how early stage term sheet conditions can be modified for follow-on investors in later stages of financing.  

Due Diligence is a process undertaken by angels and/or angel groups to determine whether or not to invest in a particular start-up organization.  This course covers the essentials of both the process of conducting due diligence and the various due diligence components. Participants will learn how to weigh factors such as the expertise of the founding team, product-market fit, potential market size, proposed business model, legal and IP protections, etc.  The course also explains what might be potential due diligence deal killers which new angel investors need to avoid.

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 course introduces participants to startup valuation and demonstrates multiple valuation methodologies.  In addition to valuation methods, the lead instructor will provide insights into the impact of stage of development, geographic location, business sector and the global economy on startup valuation. The program leaves attendees with an exercise to help hone their newly acquired valuation skills by using these valuation methods in appraising a case study company.