Why Cowtown Angels?
Cowtown Angels is located in Fort Worth, TX and composed of roughly 53 local, accredited investors. A diverse group of individuals, each with a unique skill set and deep knowledge of multiple industries, the angels provide the following to entrepreneurs, in addition to funding, to help their companies succeed:
KNOWLEDGE
Cowtown Angels members are successful professionals with experience in a variety of industries. Entrepreneurs will benefit from their large knowledge base and expertise.
MENTORSHIP
Cowtown Angels members have a special interest in high-potential, innovative startup companies. The investors look to provide guidance and assistance to the entrepreneurs throughout the life of the business, offering advice and making introductions that can accelerate growth.
NETWORK
As a program of TechFW, Cowtown Angels has the ability to connect entrepreneurs with additional resources and invaluable coaching through the affiliated organization.
AWS Activate benefits
Cowtown Angels portfolio companies are eligible for the following AWS Activate Portfolio benefits:
Cloud Credits: Experiment, build, and grow with up to $25,000 in free AWS Cloud credits valid for 2 years.
Business Support: Receive 1 year of AWS Business Support (up to $5,000 ) for 24/7 access to technical support and architectural guidance from AWS Cloud support engineers as you build and test.
Technical Training: Get hands-on practice with 80 free credits for self-paced labs. The labs provide real cloud environments to help you learn and build AWS Cloud skills.
Exclusive Content & Offers: Take advantage of discounts, free products, recommended content, and a library of AWS services and tools through a personalized AWS Activate console.
Is Angel Funding right for your Company?
Angel investment is the right source of funding for only a small number of entrepreneurial businesses. Before applying to Cowtown Angels we suggest that you ask yourself the following 10 Questions:
Can you demonstrate that your company is likely to realize significant revenues and earnings in the next 3-7 years?
Can you demonstrate that your company will produce a significant return for investors?
Do you have an exit plan for the company that may mean you are not involved in the next 3-7 years?
Are you willing to take the advice from investors and accept board of director decisions you may not always agree with?
Are you willing to give up some amount of ownership and control of your company?
Is your product developed or near completion?
Do you have existing customers or potential customers who will confirm they will buy from you?
Have you invested your own dollars and exhausted other alternatives, including friends and family?
Can you demonstrate that the business is likely to grow rapidly?
Is your business plan in top shape?
The Road to Funding
See below for the funding process:
Application: All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm CST on the deadline day. Please view our Cowtown Angels Events for application deadlines and meeting dates. After reviewing our criteria, you can apply here.
Screening: The Cowtown Angels screening committee first reviews each month’s applications and selects the most promising companies to move on to the next steps in the process. Applicants are notified within 48 hours of the screening meeting if selected to attend the Forum.
Forum: At Forum, you will formally present to our most active angels. You’ll be given 10 minutes to pitch to the group, and at the end, there will be time for Q&A.
Deep Dive: If selected for Deep Dive, you’re invited to meet with interested investors the Wednesday following Forum. Deep Dive is meant to allow adequate time for investors to ask detailed questions before moving in to Due Diligence.
Due Diligence: Cowtown Angels members interested in the company form a due diligence team, headed by a Deal Lead, where the members and program scholars conduct research and evaluate the company from multiple perspectives. This process includes, but is not limited to, an evaluation of: Competition, Market Opportunity, Financial Models, Applied Technology and Legal Structure. Specific documentation from the entrepreneurs may be requested throughout this process.
Term Sheet: Following completion of Due Diligence, interested Cowtown Angels members will draft and present a term sheet to outline the investment deal. Key elements, such as industry standard terms and provisions, type of equity and board representation will be addressed.
Funding: Each Cowtown Angels member makes individual investment decisions. The respective Deal Lead will communicate with the entrepreneurs about anticipated amounts.
Funding Criteria
Skin in the Game
Your personal financial investment in the company and investments from friends and/or family
Quality Management
A strong management team with experience and proven skills
Market
A clear picture of the market for your product or service and a realistic plan for market penetration
Competitive Advantage
A unique product or service distinguished by an identified competitive advantage and large market
Exit Strategy
An exit strategy that will enable investors to generate at least five times their initial investment
Apply for Funding
Have you determined that raising funds from angel investors is a good fit for you?