Angel Investing by the Numbers: Valuation, Capitalization, Portfolio Construction and Startup Economics

An in-depth guide for angel investors and entrepreneurs on early stage investing economics

Written by two of Boston’s most active and experienced angel investors, Angel Investing by the Numbers is a handbook and desk reference for both investors and entrepreneurs looking to better understand the numbers side of angel investing. In the book, we discuss in detail what you should know about the financial mechanics of early stage investing, including how valuation works, what effect it has on returns, and how the companies in your portfolio work together to drive your overall results. Just like the baseball team manager using a MoneyBall approach needs to really understand the statistics of the game, the successful investor employing our approach needs to understand the financial mechanics of investing.

Overview of Contents:

In this book we will cover important topics such as:
1) How to read, understand and utilize a Capitalization Table
2) How to place a proper value on an early stage company with a limited track record
3) What are some of the different financial pathways that can lead to a successful exit for companies and their angel investors
4) How to construct a portfolio that will improve the likelihood of successful returns
5) What the underlying financial math looks like in a top tier angel portfolio
6) What approaches to use to exercise options and buy restricted stock that minimize taxes and optimize your financial outcome

Having a solid understanding of valuations, exit paths and portfolio construction might not sound like as much fun as baseball for many of our readers. But trust us, after investing in startups for a combined 25+ years and 100+ companies, we have learned the hard way and fully embrace the importance of mastering these important topics. Just because finance wasn’t a focus in your career doesn't mean you can’t understand the financial mechanics of angel investing - which is good because you cannot afford to ignore these realities!