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Investment Criteria

The Pasadena Angels works with companies that have the potential to build sustainable and successful businesses and have the following characteristics:

• Headquartered in Southern California
• Large market opportunity with sufficient untapped potential
• Scalable business with prospects for rapid growth
• Compelling and defendable market differentiation
• Product proof-of-concept
• Well defined sales/marketing strategy with strong understanding of market and customer base
• Compelling business model and financing plan that leads to profitability, positive cash flow, and reasonable returns for an investor
• Intellectual Property - proprietary and defendable (patented or patentable) processes or applications

Investment Process

Working with the Pasadena Angels begins by submitting an executive summary, along with other pertinent company information to our web site (Click Here to Submit an Executive Summary). Because the search for funding requires a major time commitment by entrepreneurs, we have made the process as efficient as possible.

Each month, members review these submitted materials to select the companies that most likely would have the best fit with the Pasadena Angels overall interests, capabilities and goals. Typically within two to three weeks, a member will contact you to provide feedback as to the level of interest that has been expressed.

If there is sufficient interest, you will be asked to present to the Pasadena Angels Screening Committee. Screening meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month at the Business Technology Center of Los Angeles County (BTC) in Altadena. (Click here for a map).

Because each member of the group makes their own investment decision and is responsible for their own due diligence, subsequent meetings will be established for those that have a continuing interest in the opportunity.

Companies submitting business plans to the Pasadena Angels and, by invitation, presenting them to our review teams and full membership, will receive the benefit of the group's advice and feedback. They will also begin a relationship that can help develop strategic and financial plans that are more achievable and more fundable. Approximately 300 companies each year participate in these reviews.

The Pasadena Angels does not pay finders or success-based fees to any individual or entity in connection with investments made by its members. Additionally, the organization has not authorized any representative, other than its members, to act on its behalf in soliciting investment opportunities.

The Pasadena Angels does not sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). Because hundreds of executive summaries and business plans are submitted to the Pasadena Angels each year, the process of keeping track of each NDA would be time consuming for our organization and would require vast legal resources.

The Pasadena Angels do not discriminate based upon age, race, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.

Post-Investment Participation

The members of the Pasadena Angels have strong ties to the local business and university communities. Their experience, networks and relationships can contribute to an emerging company's success. Frequently, Pasadena Angels members serve on advisory bodies or boards of directors of companies that participate in the Angels' review process. This participation facilitates the type of strategic and financial planning required in the initial growth phases of new business ventures. The organization provides added value through a range of expertise and activities, including:

• Financing for the start-up and initial growth phases of new business ventures
• Relationships with venture capital firms and other angel groups that can lead to co-investment and/or later-stage investments in an enterprise
• Interim executive management and consulting
• Advice or assistance for strategic planning, sales and marketing, recruiting, and building strategic relationships
• Access to cost-effective business facilities and support services