Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an angel investor? An angel investor makes a direct non-syndicated investment in a venture, typically an early stage business. Because the capital is being invested at a risky time in a business's life cycle, the angel must be capable of sustaining a loss of the entire investment, and, as such, most personal angel investors are high net-worth individuals. These individuals are nearly always "accredited investors" as defined under the Securities Act of 1933.
• What is an angel group? An angel group is a formal or informal assemblage of active angel investors who cooperate in some part of the investment process. Key characteristics of an angel group are: control by member angels (who manage the entity or have control over the entity's managers), and collaboration by member angels in the investment process.
• Is membership in Point Positive restricted? Yes, read more about this in our Membership Critieria. 
• How do I learn more about angel investing? In concert with its bi-annual Forums, Point Positive presents educational programs for new members. The Angel Capital Association, of which Point Positive is a member, also offers a number of resources for individuals interested in becoming angel investors.
• Must I make a minimum number (or amount) of investments each year in order to remain a member? No, but members are expected to be active through networking and assisting in due diligence activities.
• Is there a minimum or maximum amount of money I may invest? The minimum is $25,000. There is no maximum. Typically the deals that come in front of the Point Positive group will range in size from $50,000 to $500,000 and each deal will be structured individually.
• How will investment decisions be made? Each member will decide individually whether or not they want to participate in a deal.
• What is the due diligence process? As a first step, entrepreneurs are encouraged to present their venture to the Point Positive Coordinator. If she thinks it has promise and matches the group's investment criteria, she'll encourage the entrepreneur to put together a Pitch for one of Point Positive's live Pitch Events. If the Pitch generates interest, a sub-set of Point Positive members will be formed to conduct due diligence with the support of the Coordinator. And, if that goes well, members will have the opportunity to write checks.
• How is the Point Positive group run? The group is managed by a Coordinator with support from a Board of Directors.
• How is the Point Positive group funded? Via annual membership fees and a 2% investment assessment fee.
• What is the idea behind the name Point Positive? Point Positive is a term used in whitewater rafting, It is a convention wherein instead of pointing out the danger in the river for those behind you, you agree to point in the safe direction to go. You "Point Positive." It is also a metaphor for living as it encourages people to move in useful directions rather than focus on the dangers or the difficulty. Instead of being stuck on the problem we help people find a solution.