Business Angels

"Business angels" have existed much longer than formal risk capital. They increased in abundance after World War I, when small stock holders liquidated their war bonds and reinvested them in new ventures. Informal risk capital are investments that provide less than $500,000 in capital to an entrepreneur and bridge the gap between personal funds and venture capital. Also known as solo venture capitalists, they are a funding source that is secretive and, therefore, not well documented.

  • Venture Capital Network

  • 1980 U.S. SBA Study of Business Angels

    Last modified by Crystal Lovett on April 13, 1998

    cgl2@acpub.duke.edu