Angel Investing's Evolution and What Austin's Scene Reveals

Angel investors are supposed to descend and bring early grace to startups but the reality of angel investing is much more complicated and complex. From individual big-check writers to small investors to organized groups, the will, experience, and dynamics vary widely.  Katie Russel (Central Texas Angel Network), Hall Martin (Ten Capital), and James Burkett (NuFund) join us to explore angel investing evolution and the state of Austin's scene. 

Episode Highlights

• Defining an Angel
• Angel Investing Intersections with the Ecosystem
• Dynamics of Individual Investors, Small Syndicates, and Angel Networks
• Where is Expertise in Verticals, Investing, and Startups
• Contrarian vs Consensus Decision Making in Angel Investing
• SAFE vs Convertible Note Debate 
• Austin's Angel Scene, its Evolution, and Challenges
• What's Next, Austin?
  • Katie Russel: "Making sure that Texas based startups have access to angel level capital and that investors, if they want to get involved in early stage investing, they know how to get involved and where to go"
  • Hall Martin: "Life science and deep tech...Austin's right there with the Bits and Atoms"
  • James Burkett: "Continue to do what defines Austin as a city. It's been really good at blazing its own trail in a number of unique industries and just because it's not something that someone in Sand Hill Road wants to fund doesn't mean it's the wrong thing to be building. And have conviction in that."

Katie Russel: LinkedIn, Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN)
Hall Martin: Ten Capital Group, Startup Funding Espresso, Investor Connect
James Burkett: LinkedIn, NuFund, Florin Digital

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