Attracting Capital From Angels : How Their Money—and Their Experience—Can Help You Build a Successful Company

Rating:
Summary: Attracting Capital from Angels is invaluable.
Review: "The complexity of business in economically demanding times makes finding constructive angels that much more challenging. The advice and tips in Attracting Capital from Angels are, therefore, invaluable. The wisdom offered here is not just for start-ups or neophytes, but is a well-timed companion to already existing resources and approaches to helping a business in all phases of development. It's also a great manual for people who want to share their knowledge (and invest capital) as an angel. I plan to recommend Attracting Capital from Angels to every entrepreneur I run into in the future who asks for mentoring sources. Great job!" (Bob Bozeman, General Partner, Angel Investors, LP)

Rating:
Summary: Fresh and original...a must read on an important topic
Review: A real gem! In over 35 years as a serial entrepreneur, investment banker and angel investor, I've come across dozens of books addressing various aspects of raising money, writing a business plan and/or finding investors. Most rehash existing theories and consolidate existing sources of research and advice on the topic. Brian and Dee have done a remarkable job of gathering fresh information through direct interviews, original essays and new surveys. The result is a truly enlightening, useful and very readable work which should become The Bible for anyone thinking of starting a business, financing an existing one, or investing as an angel themselves.

A must read even for someone just interested in learning more about Angel Investing, a little known area of our economy which just happens to be one of the most powerful drivers of our free enterprise system.

Bob Geras,
President
LaSalle Investments Incorporated

Rating:
Summary: A complete waste of time and money.
Review: I am planning a new business, and payed for this book, along with express shipping, since it is very topical. I feel cheated since the book is completely worthless. My only consolation is writing this review.

There is not enough information in this book to make a newspaper article. Aside from very short interviews with Angels that are scattered randomly among the pages, the book consists of constant repitition of a few very simple ideas:

1. Angels invest their own money, VC invest other peoples
2. Some Angels may be able to help you with your business. Some may not.
3. Don't waste potential investors time, make sure your business plan is short and reasonable.

Thats the whole book. Many other reviewers (who signed themselves "A Reader") praised this book. I have to question their impartiality.

If you are planning a new business and looking for investors, I can offer you some free and valuable advice. Don't waste your time reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Anecdote collection that lacks depth
Review: I would recommend this book only to the complete novice to angel and venture investing. I was hoping for more details regarding the angel investing process. One thing it teaches, though, is that angel investors are much less sophisticated and organized than professional venture capitalists (the way I understood it). What it feels like is a collection of experiences with the interpretation left mostly to the reader. Great if that's what you're looking for.