It sounds like a dream come true, doesn’t it? Someone who is willing to hand over their money so you can start a business? Who are these people? Where do I find them? Why would they do this?

The fact is there are people out there who invest in businesses. They are called business angels, or private investors. Often, they will provide the start up capital a new business needs to get up and running. They are business owners and entrepreneurs who have made their own fortunes. No matter what part of the country you live in, chances are there is an investor you can partner with. There are several reasons they do this.

As an investment they find what they deem a great business that has a good profit potential. They want a good return on their money, they are investors after all.

To share their skills they want to share their skills and experiences with others who are just starting out. By teaching you the day to day skills of running a business, they are able to reduce your learning curve, and therefore producing a profit in less time. This is their way of giving back; of helping others.

To learn it might sound strange, but successful entrepreneurs know that they should never stop learning. Everyone brings unique ideas and experiences with them. They may learn a different way of doing something or a new technology that was not available to them when they were starting out.

It’s important to point out that business angels do not invest in any business they see. You must be prepared and present a professional, complete business plan with growth projections, income and expense forecasts, marketing ideas, mission statements, etc. They will want assurances that you are completely committed to the business and will not walk away when things get tough. Meet with several investors and choose wisely; someone you will feel comfortable working with. Don’t be surprised if they want part ownership of your business, at least until it starts making a profit. They will want to be part of every major decision. Step back and learn do what they do. Eventually you will become a successful entrepreneur and you’ll be able to invest and help other people in start-up businesses.

Related posts:

1. Will venture capitalists be interested in my business?
2. Business angel investors and what they look for in a business
3. How can I get a Private Investor interested in my business?