Angel investing has grown rapidly over the past decade, helping to fuel innovation across industries and bridge the funding gap between early-stage startups and institutional venture capital. But what’s often overlooked is the personal journey behind the investment—the mindset, the motivation, and the responsibility that comes with being one of the first people to say “yes” to someone’s dream.
As someone who has spent over two decades as a legal advisor, entrepreneur, and angel investor, I’ve had the privilege of seeing both sides of this high-risk, high-reward equation. I’ve been the founder pitching for funding, and I’ve also been the investor evaluating the pitch. Each experience has shaped how I think about capital, trust, and building businesses that last.
The Founder’s View: Funding Beyond Capital
As a founder, raising money is deeply personal. You’re not just asking for funds—you’re asking someone to believe in you, your idea, your vision, and your ability to execute it. That’s no small request.
When I launched my firm, I bootstrapped everything from day one. I wore every hat: attorney, strategist, marketer, tech support, and client manager. This experience taught me what lean operations really mean. It also gave me empathy for founders trying to do everything themselves while chasing growth. Raising capital can be a powerful accelerator, but it also comes with expectations, responsibilities, and pressure.
That’s why the “right investor” matters as much as the amount of funding. Founders need partners who provide capital and offer insights, connections, and belief.
The Investor’s View: Pattern Recognition and Gut Instinct
On the flip side, angel investing is part science, part art. There’s due diligence, financial modeling, market analysis, and gut instinct. As an angel investor, you often invest in people more than products. Is this founder coachable? Do they have domain expertise? Can they build and lead a team? Do they understand their market deeply enough to navigate surprises?
I also look at how well founders understand their intellectual property—what they’ve built, how it’s protected, and how it gives them an edge. As a patent attorney, I can’t help but dig into IP positioning, especially in tech startups. It often tells me more than the pitch deck.
Key Lessons From Sitting on Both Sides
Having been both a founder and investor, I’ve picked up some universal truths:
- Shared vision matters more than valuation. If you’re not aligned on where the company is going, the numbers won’t matter for long.
- Startups need more than capital. Introductions, mentorship, legal strategy, and emotional support often move the needle more than dollars alone.
- Not every idea is fundable, but many are coachable. I’ve seen great teams evolve early concepts into powerful businesses because someone took a chance on them.
- Your reputation is your currency. Whether you’re a founder or investor, how you treat people during good and bad times will echo through the ecosystem.
The Rise of Women Angels—and Why It Matters
According to ACA data, women make up a growing percentage of angel investors—47 % as of 2023. This is an encouraging shift. Diverse investors bring diverse perspectives, which leads to better decisions and broader support for founders from all backgrounds.
As a woman of color and legal professional, I’ve seen how powerful it is for founders to see themselves reflected in the people backing them. It changes the conversation. It builds trust faster. And it reshapes who gets funded—and who doesn’t.
A More Collaborative Future
What I love most about angel investing is that it’s not transactional—it’s relational. You’re not just investing in a company but in someone’s life’s work. And when you find the right match, the relationship can last long after the check clears.
That’s the magic: when both sides walk away feeling more empowered, informed, and energized about what’s possible.
Closing Thought
Angel investing isn’t just about placing bets—it’s about building bridges between ideas and opportunity, vision and execution.
What did you learn if you’ve ever raised capital, invested in a startup, or thought about doing either? Let’s trade notes. I’d love to hear your take.