Angel investors and venture capitalists are two types of private investors who provide funding for early stage and growth stage companies. However, there are some key differences between the two, which we will explore in this article.
Who are business angels?
Wealthy people who invest in early stage companies in exchange for a stake in the business are known as angel investors. They often invest their own money and take a more proactive approach to investing, offering advice and mentorship to the companies they support. Among the well-known business angels in the crypto world:
- Roger Ver – He is known as “Bitcoin Jesus” and is one of the early investors in Bitcoin (BTC) startups such as Blockchain.info, BitPay and Kraken.
- Barry Silbert is the founder and CEO of Digital Currency Group, which invests in and acquires crypto-related companies.
- Naval Ravikant is the co-founder of AngelList and has invested in projects such as MetaStable, Algorand and others.
- Charlie Lee is the creator of Litecoin and has invested in a number of other cryptocurrency-related startups.
Who are venture capitalists?
Investors who fund start-ups and early-stage businesses with significant growth opportunities are known as venture capitalists (venture capitalists). They are often owned by a professional investment firm or fund and usually make larger investments than angel investors.
Venture Capital: A Beginner’s Guide to Venture Capital in the Crypto Space
They receive a stake in the business in exchange for their investment and often have a say in the management of the business. When a firm eventually goes public or is bought, venture capitalists hope to make a profit by selling their capital. Some notable venture capital firms include:
- Andreessen Horowitz
- Blockchain Capital
- Coinbase Ventures
- Group of digital currencies
- Polichain Capital
- Panther Capital.
Differences between angel investors and venture capitalists
Investment stage
Angel investors often invest seed capital in startups by investing in the business at an early stage. On the other hand, venture capitalists often invest in later stage ventures that have already shown strong growth potential.
Investment amount
Compared to venture capitalists, business angels often invest less money. Unlike venture capitalists, who can invest millions of dollars in a firm, angel investors often invest between $10,000 and $100,000.
Participation in the company
Business angels often follow a hands-off strategy and do not take an active part in the activities of the company. In contrast, venture capitalists often support the management of the business they invest in, both strategically and operationally.
Retreat strategy
Angel investors often have a longer investment horizon and can get their money out through an initial public offering (IPO), merger or acquisition. Conversely, VCs often want to sell their investments within five to seven years through an IPO or acquisition.
Source of funds
Wealthy people who invest their own money are angel investors. On the other hand, venture capitalists watch the money of wealthy people or institutional investors and use this money for investments.
Risk tolerance
Angel investors tend to be more willing to take on higher levels of risk than venture capitalists, who are more focused on minimizing risk.
Investment Criteria
Angel investors can be more flexible in their investment criteria, while venture capitalists have stricter criteria and require companies to meet certain milestones and goals.
Portfolio diversification
Angel investors tend to have a more diverse portfolio, while venture capitalists may have a more concentrated portfolio with a focus on a specific industry or sector.
Weaknesses of Angel Investments Compared to Venture Capital
The above differences highlight the approaches and priorities of business angels and venture capitalists in the cryptocurrency industry. Both have their drawbacks, and startups can work with both depending on their specific needs and goals.
The disadvantages of business angels include:
- Limited funds: Angel investors often put up less money than venture capitalists, which can limit the size of firms they can support.
- Lack of Due Diligence: Angel investors can rely too much on instinct and personal relationships when making investment decisions, which can increase the likelihood of failure.
- Long term commitment. Business angel investments are usually made for the long term and may not offer exit opportunities for either the investor or the startup.
The disadvantages of venture capital include:
- High Expectations: VCs often place high demands on companies and may require them to meet certain metrics and goals.
- Short-term focus: VCs often aim to realize their investments within a certain period of time and often have a stated exit strategy.
- Control: Venture capitalists may have little power to influence important decisions in the firms they fund.
Despite the above disadvantages, the process of obtaining funding from investors can help validate a startup’s business model and increase its visibility in the market.
Credit : cointelegraph.com
