How can you use accelerators and incubators to connect with angel investors?

Good Accelerators and incubators have the entire eco-system to help startups and entrepreneurs gain access to funding. It’s important to remember that you need to be prepared for funding by developing a sound business model and having all your ducks lined up. Remember that angel investors are not really angels but serious investors that demand and expect an exceptional ROI. So, be prepared for that.

An accelerator or incubator is a business or program that supports startup businesses. It attempts to create a superior environment or ecosystem where it is easier and safer to get started. A bundle of services are commonly offered including training, mentorship, offices, etc. Some are open to anyone and others are market/industry focused. Businesses that engage with accelerators and incubators have a higher probability of success.

Joining accelerators and incubators provides networking opportunities, increasing chances to connect with angel investors. Attend events hosted by these programs, such as demo days, where startups showcase their progress. Utilize mentorship offered by accelerators to gain insights and potential introductions to investors. Build relationships within the startup ecosystem, as connections made through accelerators can often extend to angel investors. Demonstrating your startup's growth and success within the program can attract attention from potential investors.

Tap into their network of experienced mentors and industry experts who may be investors themselves. Engage in other participant's journey to see how they handle obstacles. Attend demo days to learn from others and listen carefully to questions that could identify investors in the audience. The staff will have extensive networks of both investors and alums who have successfully raised capital. Leverage these connections with online presence to explore other groups where investors look for opportunities. Remember, you have the opportunity some investor is actively seeking. Be open to meeting them.

A business/accelerator may offer a program to introduce startup businesses to funding sources. Even without such a program, the leaders and support volunteers commonly have a large number of contacts with angel investors and may make introductions.

There are several accelerators who have advisory boards consisting of experienced investors. Startups can benefit from the insights of these advisors and, in some cases, receive direct introductions to angel investors in their network. Some accelerators organize specific sessions where startups can engage with angel investors in a more informal setting. These sessions may include networking events, one-on-one meetings, or roundtable discussions.

A startup business commonly must apply to enter into an accelerator/incubator. Acceptance may depend upon the maturity of the business, matching with any geographic, political or industry criteria set by the organization and the timing of starting a new cohort or availability of space.

Not all are created equal... There is no single way to present a business opportunity to prospective investors. Understand the focus of the group, review their track record and interview past participants (both funded AND those who did not receive funding) to get their perspective on the value received. Remember that some lessons are actually better than funding! Look at the experience of the team and mentors to determine if there's expertise in your industry and attend at least one demo day to evaluate the quality of the pitches, questions and audience of prospective investors.

An accelerator/incubator offers free or discounted services. More importantly, it offers connections to the community, mentors, advisors, and capital sources. To gain highest benefit, the small business must get engaged and work within all available programs that may be of help. Simply showing up won't get the job done. The small business should also give back - helping other small businesses who come in later.

I've worked with a couple of accelerators and incubators. The most successful were always the ones who leveraged the network once they got in. - They took the classes. - They were engaged with the staff. - They listened to feedback. - They did whatever they could to get everyone to be on their team and want them to succeed.

Most incubator/accelerators are helpful - providing free or discounted resources. Some only offer a place to work that is no better than a co-working space. A small business needs to evaluate its needs and the extent to which the incubator/accelerator can meet them. Generic programs - open to anyone who walks in the door - are of less benefit than highly niched programs that are more knowledgeable about the market/industry in which a business operates.

How would an incubator in Kurdistan connect with an Angel Investor? There are very few of them on the ground however the need is immense. Especially here, to push the start-ups into existence. I am calling on Angel Investors. Please reach out to me.