How to Become an Angel Investor: A Guide for First-Time Investors
Your first steps into startup investing, with help from the LatBAN community.
Becoming an angel investor isn’t just about investing money—it’s about joining a community that supports founders, fuels innovation, and learns together. At LatBAN, we help individuals like you explore startup investments with confidence.
If you're curious about how to get started, here's a practical guide to walk you through the basics.
1. Learn the Basics
Start by understanding how angel investing actually works.
At LatBAN, we organize regular training sessions, pitch events, and syndicate deals to help new investors get familiar with:
How to evaluate a startup
What a convertible note or SAFE is
How equity works
What kind of returns to expect (and when)
You don’t need to be a finance wizard. But you do need to be curious, patient, and willing to learn.
2. Know Your Numbers
Before investing, ask yourself:
How much am I willing to invest over the next 1–3 years?
Am I okay with this money being tied up for a long time?
Can I afford to lose it if things don’t go as planned?
Angel investments are risky. That’s why many members set aside a small portion of their portfolio—enough to diversify across multiple startups.
3. Set Your Focus
Some investors prefer SaaS, others go for fintech, deeptech, hardware, or consumer goods.
Think about:
What industries interest you?
Do you want to be involved in mentoring?
Are you looking to support local founders or invest globally?
LatBAN helps you find deals that match your focus—or broaden your perspective if you’re still exploring.
4. Build Your Network
Angel investing is a team sport.
Your best investments will often come from people you meet through:
LatBAN events
Industry panels and meetups
Other investors in syndicates
The more active you are, the better your access to opportunities—and the more you’ll learn from experienced peers.
5. Join a Syndicate
If you’re new, one of the best ways to start is by co-investing in a LatBAN syndicate.
That means:
You invest alongside more experienced angels
Someone else (the lead investor) handles due diligence, negotiations, and communication with the startup
You get updates and learn the process as you go
Syndicates are a great way to diversify your investments and learn by doing.
6. Add Value (If You Want To)
Some investors just write the check—and that’s totally fine.
Others get involved by:
Mentoring founders
Opening doors to new clients
Helping with future fundraising
Even one call or introduction can make a huge difference. Your expertise matters.
7. Manage Your Portfolio
Keep track of your deals—don’t just forget about them.
Check in on:
Startup updates (revenue, hiring, growth)
Major milestones (new rounds, exits)
What you’re learning across different deals
Over time, you’ll start to see patterns and sharpen your instincts.
8. Keep Evolving
The startup world changes fast. New technologies. New regulations. New founders.
Stay curious. Ask questions. Join LatBAN events and workshops. The more engaged you are, the more confident you’ll feel making bigger decisions.
Final Word
You don’t have to be wealthy, famous, or experienced to be an angel investor. You just need: ✔️ An interest in startups
✔️ A bit of capital
✔️ A desire to learn
LatBAN is here to help.
We bring people together, share opportunities, and build a community of smart, active, and kind investors.
Want to get started?
👉 Join our next pitch event or send a message—we’ll be happy to welcome you into the community.