“Plain Vanilla” Angel Structure

It’s the middle of internet week!  I’ve already seen 30+ demos, in addition to Meetup Co-Founder Scott Heiferman smashing an iPad on stage at the tech meetup last night (which was at NYU’ Skirball center).  One theme that has been recurrent is that people are unaware of the structure of angel investments.  So, I thought I’d give a brief overview of one common structure.  Please note there is an excel file you can download at the bottom of the post.  It includes detailed notes and may be helpful to have open as you go through the post.

Many seed stage internet businesses look to angels to help them kickstart their companies through growth capital, as well as expertise.  It seems that many people are confused as to what a typical angel investment might “cost” them in equity.  And, while “a convertible note with a 10% PIK and a 25% discount to the series A” (also known as the “plain vanilla” angel structure) may make sense to some people, I thought I’d break down how to interpret that in case there were any non finance geeks out there who were trying to understand what the terms of an angel investment actually mean.

The Basics

I think it’s easiest to use an example to explain this type of investment.  So, Joe is the founder of Newco which is a website that does some sort of location/game based virtual good (insert other buzz words) service.  Joe needs to raise $500,000 to hire a few developers and a sales person.  Joe finds an angel investor who just happens to have a lot of experience in location/game based virtual good services.  Joe’s investor, let’s call her Ms. Jenna, gives him $500,000 and they use the plain vanilla (read typical) angel structure.

Instead of putting a value on the company now, the investor, will get equity based off of the valuation used in Joe’s Series A round of financing (more on that later).  Presumably, when Joe raises his Series A, he will have a few customers, some revenues, and a much better picture for how his company will actually operate.  His company will therefore be more easily valued.

The PIK

PIK stands for paid in kind.  Ms. Jenna is putting up $500,000, and expects Joe to pay her 10% in interest each year.  But, Joe doesn’t have any cash as he is a pre-revenue startup.  So, instead of paying in cash, Joe is going to take the value of the dollars he would pay Ms. Jenna, and add that to the principal of the investment.

In our example, in the first year, Joe will take the 10% interest payment (worth $500,000 x 10% = $50,000) and add that to the principal of the investment, which will now be $500,000 + $50,000 = $550,000.  In the next year, Joe will be charged 10% on that new principal.  His new interest payment is $550,000 x 10% = $55,000.  And his new principal amount is $550,000 + $55,000 = $605,000.  For those familiar, this is the same concept as a negatively amortizing loan.  Instead of paying interest in cash, it is paid as principal, which is the same as saying it is paid in kind (PIK).

The Equity Part of the Equation

We are going to pretend that Joe had a rough go of it and doesn’t raise his series A for 5 years.  In year 5, the principal value of Ms. Jenna’s investment is now $805,225 (please see attached excel to see the calculations, rows 19 and 20 – we just added the 10% interest in each of the 5 years).  The series A investor gives Joe $1 million dollars at a $4 million post-money valuation meaning that they will get $1 mm/$4 mm = 25% of Newco’s equity.  For the difference in pre vs post money valuations, please see the attached excel cell C14.

We said that the angel investment would be invested at a 25% discount to the series A.  This means that instead of investing at a $4 million valuation, Ms. Jenna’s dollars get put to work at a $4,000,000 x (1-25%) = $3 million valuation.  And, her $500,000 originally invested has grown to $805,225 due to the interest which has been paid in kind.  So, her ownership in the company will be $805,225/$3,000,000 = 27%.

At the risk of complicating things, it is worth noting that Ms. Jenna’s original angel investment can also come with a valuation cap, meaning that there is a maximum value that her dollars can be put to work at.  In the excel, I have put this at $10,000,000 so it doesn’t come into play.  But, if Joe’s company was worth $20,000,000 in 5 years when he raised his series A, Ms. Jenna’s equity would be calculated using a valuation of $10,000,000, not the typical 25% discount we have used in our example.  You can see how this benefits the angel investor in the case that they company does take off.  Ms. Jenna will invest her money at a $10,000,000 valuation as opposed to a $ 15,000,000 valuation ($20,000,000 x (1-25%) = $15,000,000)  which would give her a larger equity stake in the company.

End Result

Joe has now raised $1.5 million and is hopefully well on his way to a successful career at the helm of Newco.  He has given up 25% to his series A investors, and 27% to his angel investor Ms. Jenna, and so retains 48% for himself and the rest of his team.

The attached excel sheet has all of these calculations and is set up in a way that you can play around with different assumptions.  Please feel free to email me with any questions! phil (at) philstrazzulla (dot) com.  Also, please note that this is meant to be an overview of one type of common angel structure and that there are definitely more out there.   Enjoy!

The Excel: Angel Investing Basics

7,477 Replies to ““Plain Vanilla” Angel Structure”

  1. Asking questions are in fact pleasant thing if you are not understanding anything fully, except this paragraph offers pleasant understanding
    even.

  2. My brother recommended I would possibly like this web site.
    He was once totally right. This put up truly made my day.
    You can not believe just how so much time I had
    spent for this information! Thank you!

  3. very interesting review. In addition visit each of our site that can be played slot online pulsa.
    The website has received likability having slot deposit pulsa tanpa
    potongan wagering patients in Negara sendiri.
    Truth be told there are usually a few interesting promos as you join at this
    time.

  4. Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while
    you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog web site?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit
    acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear
    idea

  5. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is important and all.
    However think of if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts
    more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this site could definitely
    be one of the greatest in its niche. Good blog!

  6. I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else experiencing problems with your website.
    It appears as if some of the written text within your posts are running off the screen.
    Can someone else please comment and let me know if this
    is happening to them as well? This might be a issue with my web browser
    because I’ve had this happen before. Thank you

  7. Link exchange is nothing else however it is just placing
    the other person’s webpage link on your page at appropriate place and other person will
    also do similar in support of you.

    Review my web page: SEO Rates

  8. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know
    a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with some pics to
    drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog.
    An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.

  9. Im Internet gibt es nichts, was es nicht
    gibt. Luxusuhren kann man also auch über den Onlinekauf erwerben,
    was somit das Herz jedes Uhrenliebhabers höher schlagen lässt.

    So bietet beispielsweise die Luxusmarken Panerai, IWC Schaffhausen und OMEGA
    die Möglichkeit, seine Traumuhr direkt übern vorhandene Onlineshop, zu den angegebenen Konditionen, online zu bestellen bzw.
    zu kaufen. Wenn dies der Fall ist, kann man auf den jeweiligen Webseiten der verschiedenen Marken den nächstgelegenen stationären Händler oder Juwelier suchen, bei dem man sich zur
    Uhr sowie dem Preis beraten lassen kann oder seine
    Wunschuhr bestellen, begutachten und abholen kann.
    Natürlich gibt es auch Personen, die dem Kauf online lieber
    eine fachmännische Beratung bevorzugen. Das feine Schmuckstück
    Tutima Tempostopp der Uhrenmarke Tutima Glashütte/SA mit Manufakturkaliber wurde als limitierte Auflage
    von nur 90 Stück, nach Vorgaben in der Manufaktur Glashütte/SA, gefertigt.

    Als aktuelle Neuheit in ihrem Sortiment präsentiert die Luxusuhremarke die Grand Flieger Airport
    Automatic 6106-01, welche als direkter Nachfolger des Tutima Fliegerchrongraphen aus den 40er Jahren gilt.

  10. Solche Funktionen können beispielsweise eine extreme Wendigkeit, ein sehr geringes
    Gewicht und ein geringer Kraftaufwand, um sich fortzubewegen sein. Wenn der Alltag nimmer selbständig bewältigt werden kann und auch Transfers und Sitzkorrekturen mehrere durchgeführt werden können, kommt ein Pflegerollstuhl zum Einsatz.

    Sowohl Fuss-, Arm- als auch die Kopfstütze lassen sich
    verstellen und eine Kippfunktion verändert den Sitzwinkel.
    Diese bieten höchsten Komfort, sind korpulent darauf ausgelegt,
    dass eine Person viele Stunden bequem in ihm verbringen kann.
    Durch Verstellen der Rückenlehne kann sogar eine liegende Position hergestellt werden. Das Leben trotz körperlicher Einschränkungen in vollen Zügen zu geniessen ermöglicht ein Elektrorollstuhl.

    Zur Unterstützung der schiebenden Person kann ein Aggregat
    ergänzt werden. Ein hoher Sitzkomfort und viele Einstellungsmöglichkeiten werden ergänzt durch
    die elektrische Steuerung. Ein Steuerungsmodul ist in die Armlehne integriert und ermöglicht es, mit einer Hand ohne grossen Aufwand, den Rollstuhl in alle
    Richtungen zu bewegen. Auch die Geschwindigkeit lässt sich regulieren. Setzen Sie
    sich mit uns in Verbindung und wir finden gemeinsam heraus, welches Modell das passende für Ihre Bedürfnisse ist.

    Wenn ein Kauf zuerst nicht in Frage kommt, besteht
    auch die Möglichkeit, einen Rollstuhl zu mieten. Wir beraten Sie gerne!

  11. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times
    it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance.
    I must say you’ve done a very good job with this. Also, the blog loads super
    quick for me on Chrome. Superb Blog!

  12. Unquestionably imagine that that you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest factor to understand
    of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed whilst other people consider
    issues that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also outlined out the entire thing without having side-effects ,
    other folks can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
    Thank you

  13. Auf der Rückseite befindet sich zumeist ein zusätzlicher Text,
    der für steuerliche Aspekte eine wichtige rolle spielt.
    Die Gastronomie-Bon Rolle kann nur in Wirtsbetrieben Verwendung finden und ist
    für andere Lokalanbieter, wie Kioske und Tankstellen uninteressant.
    Der Vorteil besteht darin, dass der Wirt keinen zusätzlichen steuerrelevanten Text erfassen muss, dieser wird bei den meisten Rollen direkt bei der Produktion mitgedruckt.
    Bei den zweilagigen Rollen handelt es sich um ein Blatt mit einem hinteren Durchschlag,
    wobei ein Beleg für den Kunden und einer für den Geschäftsinhaber
    gedacht ist. Für diese Art von Rolle benötigt man einen speziellen Drucker mit Farbnadel.
    Auch weil an der Zeit sein einen speziellen Fachmarkt aufsuchen, der diese Art von Rolle noch verkauft.
    Gerade, wenn man jeweils ein Rechnungsexemplar für
    sich selbst selber und einen für den Kunden benötigt,
    so ist ein einzelner einmalige Erfassung notwendig. Beim Ticket Bon handelt
    es sich um festeres bzw. dickeres Papier,
    welches zum Druck von Tickets besonders gut geeignet sind.
    Gerade Tickets weißen einen höheren Verschleiß auf und weisen somit ein stabileres Papier aus.

  14. Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent.
    I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re saying and
    the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart.
    I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great web site.

  15. What i don’t understood is actually how you’re not actually much more neatly-liked than you might be right now.

    You are very intelligent. You understand thus significantly when it comes to this matter,
    made me in my view imagine it from so many various angles.

    Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved until it’s
    one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs great.
    All the time care for it up!

  16. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that
    “perfect balance” between user friendliness and appearance.
    I must say that you’ve done a amazing job with this.
    Also, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Safari.
    Exceptional Blog!

  17. Excellent blog here! Additionally your web site
    lots up fast! What host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate link on your
    host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as
    yours lol

  18. Magnificent goods from you, man. I have remember your
    stuff previous to and you are simply too magnificent.
    I really like what you have bought right here,
    really like what you’re stating and the way in which during which you are saying it.
    You’re making it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise.
    I can not wait to read much more from you. That is really a great web site.

  19. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little research on this.
    And he actually ordered me breakfast because I discovered it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!

    But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this topic here on your web page.

  20. Our bills vary from credit card payments, mortgages, phones, and utility payments.
    Basically, loan issuers would come for their money if you don’t make payments on time.
    Every collection adds to your credit report and will cripple your loan negotiation capability.
    At the latest FICO versions, paid collections will not hurt your score, however, unpaid ones certainly will.

    If among your accounts goes into group, your credit rating plummets depending on a
    few elements. If your score is significantly high, you are
    going to lose more things than a person with a small number
    of points. If you miss a payment, your lender would report it to
    the agencies as”payment.” But if you don’t pay
    penalties or bring your accounts to status, you might encounter a collection. Immediately
    you experience a collection; your credit score will fall drastically.
    Resolving a collection is a painstaking procedure, hence making timely payments is always an perfect way.

    Feel free to surf to my web-site: Credit Tricks

  21. They take you on outings, provide chiropractors, and have medical staff
    on clock 24/7. If you’re tired and want to give up the fight, then here
    is the only place I recommend anyone to start!
    Thank you!

  22. Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment
    (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly
    enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything.

    Do you have any tips and hints for beginner blog writers?
    I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  23. Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging
    for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is wonderful, as well as the content!

  24. Thank you for some other wonderful article. The place else may just anyone get
    that kind of information in such an ideal means of writing?
    I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the search for
    such information.

  25. hi!,I really like your writing very much! share we keep in touch extra about your article on AOL?
    I need an expert in this space to resolve my problem. May be that’s
    you! Looking ahead to peer you.

  26. I’ve been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.

    It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content
    as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  27. Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no back up.
    Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?

  28. Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very helpful information specially the remaining part 🙂 I care for such information a
    lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  29. I’m really impressed along with your writing abilities as well as with the structure
    to your weblog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you customize it your self?
    Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a great weblog
    like this one today..

  30. Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer
    for your weblog. You have some really good articles and I believe I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back
    to mine. Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Thank you!

  31. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for
    you? Plz reply as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to find out
    where u got this from. thank you

Comments are closed.