Pitching Angels

The ‘exit horizon’ is the key to whether a startup is a viable investment

It seems like a simple question: at what annual revenues will your startup become a viable acquisition target?

The question may be simple, but the answer is not. And for investors and founders, it’s the most important question.

Fortunately, there are some easy rules of thumb that ...

How about a qualified “it depends”?

You’re building a startup that’s creating a healthier protein bar or a better solar panel. You’re signing up initial customers, but you’re not a trendy AI startup. You need money for production and inventory, not to mention paying your employees.

But the VCs aren’t biting and angel investors are turning up their collective nose...

Founders have to decide from the start whether the goal of the business is a big exit for investors or profits for owners

You’re developing a useful new technology. You’ve talked to a hundred customers and confirmed a big market need. Wonderful. But before accepting investment, whether you realize it or not, you’re at a critical fork in the road for what kind of business t...

Is your startup developing core AI or is it just another YAWOC?

It’s no secret that venture capital has gone ga-ga over AI.

In 2024, 33% of VC dollars went into AI startups. Thought that was crazy? In 2025, 65% of U.S.-based VC investment piled into AI.

AI is sucking all the air out of the room. And all the money out of investors’ pockets. If you’re dev...