If personality is no guide to start-up success – what is?

Business angels will already know this in their gut, but a recent survey of entrepreneurial literature has told us, here at iBusinessAngel, that personality is no guide to success.

Various firms have been developing psychometric tests to identify the personality traits of a successful entrepreneur and it turns out, that there is no agreement on whether any of these work. So what can research tell us?

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How to Beat the Odds on Business Angel Investments

We are living in risk-averse times and “Cash combined with courage in a crisis is priceless” according to Warren Buffet. But when does courage cross the line into gambling territory? Or to put it another way what if you had say, £50,000 to invest, and someone said you have a 20% chance of a return [...]

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Getting more out of your Board of Directors

By Dr. Earl R. Smith II DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com www.Dr-Smith.com With many companies – particularly early-stage ones – the Board of Directors is seen as little more than a legal necessity. But it can be so much more including an important force for growth and a gyroscope that keeps things on course and sure-footed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I work [...]

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What are you investing in?

The biggest question for angel investors – and hardest to answer question – is ‘what am I actually investing in’? However, if we ask the question another way, it does become easier. If we take the approach that the task of the investor is first and foremost not to lose his money, then the first [...]

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What makes a successful Business Angel Investment?

56% of ventures invested in by angel investors will fail, according to recent research by Nesta.. However, as Nesta warns, the figure could be even higher as their statistical sample was taken from angel investors who have remained active over a number of years. Therefore, the rate of failure could be as high as 80% , [...]

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Venture Capital’s 70% drop creates Business Angel Opportunity

“Venture Capital funds available for start-up and growth businesses has dropped 70% since 2000″, said Anne Glover chief executive of Amadeus Capital Partners at the BBAA Annual Awards Dinner. This means that businesses seeking new capital that are unable to raise bank finance (and who is able at present?) will need to increasingly turn to [...]

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British Business Angels meet at the Belfry today

The BBAA (British Business Angels Association) trade body is today organising its annual awards ceremony and conference at the Belfry. The event is sponsored by Advantage West Midlands, the redevelopment agency for the West Midlands. It will include both an opportunity to recognise key contributions made to this growth sector during the year at the annual awards dinner [...]

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Debt vs Equity Investing

The FT neatly describes the difference between Debt and Equity when it argues today, that the tax treatment should be the same for both. Of course, the fact that it is not has led investors to structure their deals to take advantage of the difference. And, flavour of the month is convertible debt. But more of [...]

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9 things every Business Angel needs…

The 9 things every direct business investor or business angel needs: Deal Flow There are more and more sources of direct business investment opportunity – you need to find a way to track them and pick out those that deserve more attention. Firstly, you’ll join networks or groups, which is often free, and then you’ll begin to [...]

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iBusinessAngel launching Autumn 2009

Small businesses and start up ventures can no longer access easy investment from banks and therefore need to turn to private individuals – or business angels. These business angels also often bring a degree of industry experience and knowledge that can be invaluable for small or start-up companies. The UK has the highest number of [...]

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