What is the best way to connect with investors?
With Gust, the power of the system is that your completed investor relations profile can now serve as your official application to virtually any organized angel group in the world…all you need to do is share it with them*. I’d suggest that you browse through the Gust investor search engine for investment groups (and accelerators, incubators, business plan competitions, et al) that are relevant to your startup (by location, industry, type of organization, etc.), and read their detailed profiles to see if they would be a good match for your venture.
For example, from the profile for New York Angels, you will find out about the types of companies in which the group invests, the returns and valuations they seek, and a list of many of the companies in which they have already invested. If you’re logged in to LinkedIn, you will also see the names of investors within the group to whom you have a personal connection! Assuming the group seems like a fit, then simply click the “Share Now” button at the top of the page, and voila, you’re on your way. New York Angels, like most other mainstream angel groups these days, does not charge an application fee so there is nothing to lose by applying.
On Gust, investment organizations are able to set filters for submissions in order to be sure that neither you nor they will be wasting each other’s time if you apply. In the case of NYA, the group is pretty eclectic, and open to receiving applications from virtually any company in any area. While the large majority of investments are made into US-based ventures, all New York Angels members have access to all applying companies, and many of the group’s investors are prepared to get involved with a company personally, even if it is not right for the group as a whole.
*Note that Gust also allows you to share your password-protected investor relations site with individual investors and VCs you know or may meet, even if they are not part of an angel group or fund that uses Gust to manage its deal flow. As such, it’s a handy way to keep all your information and your investors organized.
*original post can be found on Quora @ http://www.quora.com/David-S-Rose/answers *
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This article is intended for informational purposes only, and doesn't constitute tax, accounting, or legal advice. Everyone's situation is different! For advice in light of your unique circumstances, consult a tax advisor, accountant, or lawyer.