Laura Baldwin is co-chair of Open Office Hours for the Texas chapter of
Golden Seeds. She received her BA from the University of Texas at Austin, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and her MBA from Southern Methodist University. Golden Seeds focuses on investing in women-owned businesses to help women get the funding they need to grow their companies. Women are starting businesses at record levels, and Golden Seeds is proud to announce that they have invested over $70 million in more than 65 women-led businesses since 2005.

 

This week’s episode dives into how an entrepreneur can gain access to an angel investing network like Golden Seeds. Laura and I also dive into how she got started in this business, why Golden Seeds looks for women-led businesses, and the risk tolerance investors need to have, in order to become a great angel investor. It seems that of the 10 companies an angel investor might invest in, only two of those will end up succeeding. Those are some pretty high numbers! What can entrepreneurs do reduce those odds and keep an angel by their side? Find out on this week’s episode!

 

Show Notes

[1:20] Laura discusses how Golden Seeds got started.

[1:50] Why does Golden Seeds only invest in women-owned businesses?

[3:35] What’s Laura’s investment criteria when looking to invest in a women-owned business?

[4:25] What kind of companies does Golden Seeds invest in?

[6:35] Laura shares an example of a company that Golden Seeds recently invested in.

[8:50] Angel investing, from an investor’s point of view, can be more risky than traditional investing. How does Laura manage this?

[9:55] If you have a portfolio of ten companies, probably eight of those will fail.

[10:45] Why is Laura attracted to angel investing?

[12:40] Golden Seed members need to invest at least $25,000 a year. The minimum deal is usually around $12,500 dollars.

[13:45] How can entrepreneurs tap into this angel investing network, and hopefully receive funding?

[15:55] What should entrepreneurs be doing to prepare themselves for an angel investor meeting?

[18:55] Does Golden Seeds work with incubator groups?

[22:15] What kind of qualities does Laura look for in an entrepreneur and in the team?

[24:40] Begin with the end in mind. Always have an exit strategy.

 

Connect with Laura:

Website

Email Golden Seeds: [email protected]

 

Recommended Resources:

Cogrx.com

7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey

SMU Entrepreneurship Program

Thedec.co

Techwildcatters.com

Healthwildcatters.com

Innovation.utdallas.edu

Revtechaccelerator.com

Collidevillage.com

Cowtownangels.org

 

Leave Me a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me by leaving an honest review on iTunes. Your feedback is important to me. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to subscribe to the Show.

 

On iTunes On Stitcher