Serving as a Director of an early stage angel-backed company is a serious responsibility. This course 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!  

 

Should you include angel investments in startup companies in your asset portfolio?  Join ACA in a half-day course 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 course 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. 

 

Exit strategies may be one of the most misunderstood aspects of angel investing and this course serves to shed a light on how angels and their portfolio companies can work together to achieve the most successful exits.  Value creation for angel backed companies is different than for lifestyle companies and the primary difference lies in how we craft the exit strategy.  This course covers the kinds of exits and how to prepare for each.  We talk about what the drivers are for high multiples and how companies can build in value from the very beginning of their companies.   The course finishes with the “Exit Strategy Canvas” that walks participants through the six key elements of exit strategy.  The exit strategy canvas helps boards to create a variety of exit scenarios and work towards optimal outcomes for all.