The Western New York Venture Association, Buffalo Angels, and the Rochester Angel Network are collaborating to bring a leading angel investor education program to Buffalo and Rochester. “Fundamentals of Angel Investing” a workshop offered nationally by the Angel Capital Association, will be presented in Buffalo on December 4, 2024 and Rochester on December 5, 2024. 

The objective of the workshop is to provide existing and potential angel investors with insights into angel investing as an asset class and to increase their ability and confidence to make successful investments in local startup companies.

Funding from private angel investors is a key to the success of high-growth startup companies.  Although progress has been made over the past several years, Western New York and the Finger Lakes region still lag many areas of the U.S. in the amount of angel and venture capital investment, especially at the earliest stages of a company’s development.

The workshops will include presentations and panel discussions on an overview of angel investing, anticipated financial returns, portfolio strategy, valuation of early-stage companies, conducting due diligence, understanding term sheets and angel involvement in portfolio companies after the investment.

The workshops are targeted to individuals who meet the definition of an Accredited Investor under U.S. Securities law (net worth over $1 million, excluding their primary residence or annual income over $200,000 or $300,000 with a spouse or partner) and are thus eligible to invest in most early-stage companies. If space is available, others such as founders of high-growth companies that are currently or anticipate seeking angel or venture capital investment will be welcome to attend.

In addition to the workshops in December, additional in-depth online courses about targeted angel investing topics offered by the Angel Capital Association’s Ann and Bill Payne Angel University Program will be made available to local investors in 2025.

The workshops are offered at no cost to participants because of a prize awarded to the Western New York Venture Association from "Springboard", a competition that provides cash prizes to organizations that help grow the entrepreneurial landscape in Buffalo-Niagara, the Rochester region, and the Southern Tier.

More information and links to register for the workshops can be found at www.wnyventure.com or by contacting Jack McGowan at Western New York Venture Association/Buffalo Angels [email protected] .