Angel investors are individuals who invest their personal money in early-stage startups, typically writing smaller checks and often engaging in this as a side project rather than a full-time job.

Angel investors often have experience in high-growth startups and can provide flexible terms and quick investment decisions, but they take equity and may have strong opinions about the business.

Angel investors use their personal funds to invest in startups in exchange for equity, typically after the business has some validation but before it's ready for venture capital.

It's important for new angel investors to meet with many founders and companies to make educated judgments about investments.

As an angel investor, you need to meet with at least a hundred companies to ensure you have sufficient deal flow.

Angel investors used to form consortiums to write large checks for Series A financings, but this practice has changed, with individual checks becoming more common.

The course aims to create thoughtful angel investors who make informed decisions and build better relationships with the companies they invest in, and I invest when I get excited about a company, believing I can always help because I've seen so many companies over my thirteen years of angel investing.

Listening during investor meetings is crucial; it's a conversation, not a monologue, and their feedback can be invaluable even if they decline to invest.

Taking small checks from angel investors does not negatively impact your chances with venture capitalists when you seek a priced round later.