Startups
Frequently Asked Questions

Startups

We are committed to helping early stage businesses take their first steps towards success. We understand that starting a business can be a challenging journey, which is why we are here to offer a helping hand. We provide businesses with the right connections to industry experts, guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and support to navigate the early stages of growth. Whether it’s through mentorship, networking or access to funding, we are dedicated to giving businesses the resources they need to flourish.

Startups around the world often face funding gaps between what friends and families can offer and what the banks, Venture Capitalists and Private Equity Firms are willing to contribute. This gap is often referred to as the “Valley of Death” and can be nearly impossible to traverse.  Angel investors can fill this void by supplying additional rounds of funding to growing companies.

Further, research shows that startups value the expertise and mentorship that angels provide as much as, if not more than, the financing itself.

Yes. As a requirement of membership, all our angel members must agree to our Code of Conduct and Membership Agreement.  This requires all members to keep confidential all information provided to them.

At our pitch events, other startups will not be able to watch your presentation so strict confidentiality will be maintained. Nor will other startup's information be disseminated to others pitching at events.

No. Unlike some other angel investor groups, we do not charge a fee to evaluate your pitch, even when you progress to the pitch event.

You will be advised after the pitch event if any of the members are interested in talking to you further regarding Investment.  Should an agreement be struck, a Due Diligence process will commence.

Due Diligence is where the member investigates your business to ensure that your ideas and projections, etc. are backed by fact.

If the Due Diligence is successful, legal agreements will be negotiated (at your shared costs) and an investment may then be made.

Typically, it takes approximately 2-3 months from the time of the pitch to receipt of funds. There are a number of steps (see above) to get to this point and this cannot be rushed. Quick money is not a feature of angel investing.

Our members invest on an individual basis. Multiple members may invest in a startup, though not as a collective.

Pitches are held monthly, with an event being held in all states and territories around Australia by mid 2024. Pitch events will be held in a different region's location each month.  Annually, events will be held from February to October, with a Gala Summit to be held in November each year.

For more information on our process, please visit this page on our website.

Once you have submitted an application to pitch and we have assessed your startup as being eligible and meeting our criteria, you may then be invited to join an online pre screening session. This session enables us to ask some questions to determine whether your startup is suitable to pitch to our angel members. The invitation to a pre-screening session does not mean you have been accepted to pitch at our next event.

If you are successful during the pre-screening process and invited to pitch, you will join the pitch event either virtually or in person. We strongly recommend you attend in person to pitch your startup.

You will be given a set time at which to pitch.  You will have approximately 7-10 minutes to pitch, followed by question time.

If you are joining remotely, you will have the opportunity to share your screen.

Pitch events can be attended online or in person. You can do either, however we always recommend pitching in person.

We're investing in the next generation of regional startups across Australia

Resources

Discover the wealth of information available to you and take the first step towards building a brighter future for your business and the communities it serves. Our website is a wealth of information, where you can explore and browse through a variety of helpful guides and resources that cover a range of topics such as fundraising strategies, investment opportunities, and legal considerations.