If you have a great business idea or a new startup, you might wonder how you present your business plan to angel investors. Angel investors are people who give money to help startups grow. They want to see a clear plan and a team they trust. This guide shows you how to tell your story, share your money plans, and ask for funding. Even if you’re new to pitching to angel investors, these steps will help you shine.
Who Are Angel Investors?
Angel investors are people with money who invest in new businesses. They give smaller amounts than big companies called venture capitalists. In 2024, angels invested about $28 billion worldwide. This could grow to $72 billion by 2033. They often fund startups early, when you’re just starting out. They like ideas in tech, health, or products people use daily.
Angels are different from venture capitalists. Angels use their own money and make fast choices. They also give advice and connections. But they give less money, usually $25,000 to $100,000, and want big returns. For new entrepreneurs, angels are great because they care about your idea and passion.
Want to learn more? Check out how to write a business plan to get started.
Build a Clear Business Plan
Before you pitch, make a strong business plan for angel investors1. This is a short document, about 10-15 pages, that shows your idea and goals.
Your plan should have:
- Summary: One page about your idea and money needs.
- Problem and Solution: What problem do you fix? How is your idea special?
- Market: Who will buy your product? Use numbers, like “The toy market is worth $100 billion.”
- How You Make Money: Do you sell products or subscriptions?
- Progress: Show any customers or tests you’ve done.
- Team: Who works with you? Share their skills.
- Money Plans: Guess how much you’ll earn in 3-5 years.
- Funding Ask: How much money do you need?
Keep it simple. Angels like real plans, not big dreams. For example, if you make an app, say, “Our app saves 50% of time for small shops.”
See startup funding options for first-time entrepreneurs for more funding ideas.
Tell a Great Story
Angels love a good story. When presenting a business plan, make it exciting. Start with a short elevator pitch for investors—30 seconds to grab their attention. For example: “Our app helps kids learn math fast. We have 2,000 users and need $100,000 to grow.”
Share why you started. Maybe you saw a problem in your life. This makes angels care. Use simple facts, like “20% of parents want better learning tools.”
Avoid mistakes like talking too long. Keep it short and fun.
Learn more at the art of the deal: how to pitch your startup and win investor capital.
Make a Simple Pitch Deck
A startup pitch presentation needs a slide show, called a pitch deck. Use 10-12 slides in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
Include:
- Title: Your company name and contact.
- Problem: What’s wrong in the world?
- Solution: How your idea fixes it. Show a picture or video.
- Market: How big is the chance? Use a chart.
- Money Plan: How you earn cash.
- Progress: Any wins, like users or sales.
- Competition: Who else is out there?
- Team: Your team’s skills.
- Money Needs: What you want and why.
- Future Plans: Where you’re going.
Use big letters and pictures. Tools like Canva make it easy.
Match your deck to the angel. If they like health startups, say how you fit.
Check how to find investors for a startup with no money for deck tips.
Show Your Team’s Power
Angels trust people, not just ideas. In your business proposal for angel investors, talk about your team.
Say what each person does well. For example: “Our leader, Sam, ran a shop for 5 years.” Add advisors if you have them. Show you’re all working hard. If you need more people, say who you’ll hire.
Studies show teams with different skills do better. Tell angels you’re ready to win.
Read about entrepreneurship skills every beginner should learn.
Explain Money Simply
Financial projections for investors are key. Angels want clear numbers.
Guess how much money you’ll make and spend in 3-5 years. Show:
- Cost to Get Customers: How much to find each buyer?
- Money per Customer: How much do they pay over time?
- Spending: How much do you use each month?
- Profit Time: When you’ll make money.
For example: “We’ll earn $200,000 in year two. It costs $20 to get a customer, who pays $100.”
Explain where the money goes: “70% for building, 30% for ads.”
Use tools like Excel. Be honest.
See how to manage cash flow in a small business for help.
Ask for Money Clearly
Your equity offer to angel investors is the deal. Say how much you need and what you give back. For example: “We want $200,000 for 10% of our company2.”
Explain what you’ll do with the money, like “Build our app and get 10,000 users.” Show how they’ll make money later, like selling the company.
Angels like smaller deals than venture capital vs angel investor. Be ready to talk terms.
Learn more at how to make investors invest in your business.
How Do You Present Your Business Plan to Angel Investors?
Here’s how you present your business plan to angel investors well. Practice your talk to last 10-15 minutes.
Steps:
- Start Nice: Say hi and thank them.
- Tell Your Story: Go through slides clearly.
- Be Exciting: Look at them, show your product.
- Answer Questions: Use facts to reply.
- Finish Strong: Repeat what you need.
If online, use Zoom and test your internet. In person, arrive early and dress neatly.
Angel investor meeting tips: Send slides early if asked. Be friendly.
See tips for meeting with angel investors for the first time.
Answer Common Questions
Be ready for common investor questions. Examples:
- “How much is your company worth?” Use simple math, like sales guesses.
- “How do you get customers?” Share your plan, like ads or social media.
- “What could go wrong?” Be honest: “Others might copy us, but our idea is unique.”
Practice answers. Angels care about your team and market most.
Avoid pitching mistakes to avoid talking too much.
Show Your Progress
Show traction and growth metrics. Angels like proof you’re growing. Examples: “We got 1,000 users in two months.”
If you’re new, show small wins, like happy test users.
Check lean startup strategy examples for beginners.
Explain the Problem and Fix
Your problem-solution fit presentation should be clear. Say: “People lose time shopping. Our app saves 30 minutes per trip.”
Use customer stories or numbers to prove it.
Get Ready for Checks
After pitching, angels do due diligence preparation. Have papers ready: money records, legal forms, patents.
Be open to build trust.
Best Ways to Pitch
Follow best practices for presenting to angel investors:
- Learn about the angel on AngelList.
- Meet them at events.
- Send a thank-you email after.
- Fix your pitch if they suggest changes.
How long should an angel investor pitch presentation be? About 10-15 minutes.
Look at Winning Pitches
Study startup investment pitch examples. Airbnb’s pitch showed a travel problem and got $600,000. Uber showed big city needs.
Your pitch should fit your idea but use clear slides.
See top 10 startup ideas for 2026.
Don’t Make These Mistakes
Avoid pitching mistakes to avoid:
- Big guesses: Use real numbers.
- Forgetting others: Know your competition.
- Unclear ask: Say exactly what you want.
- No follow-up: Always thank them.
- No progress: Show small steps.
Make Your Startup Shine
To use a seed funding strategy, show a working product or users. Join groups like accelerators. Offer fair deals.
Check best startup accelerators around the world.
Steps to Get Ready
Steps to prepare for an angel investor presentation:
- Study the investor.
- Fix your plan and slides.
- Practice talking.
- Prepare for questions.
- Have papers ready.
What to Put in Your Presentation
What to include in a business plan presentation for investors: All the parts above, with pictures and charts.
How to Win Over Angels
How to convince angel investors to fund your startup: Show you love your idea, have proof, and a big future.
Use happy customer words.
Be Ready for Investors
Use an investor readiness checklist:
- Clear plan.
- Good slides.
- Checked money numbers.
- Team ready.
- Legal papers set.
Keep Talking to Angels
Have an investor communication strategy: Send updates after the pitch, like new users or sales.
What Angels Want
What do angel investors look for in a business plan: Big growth, strong team, clear market, good returns.
How to Build Your Plan
How to structure a business plan for angel investors: Make it clear and full of facts.
Make a Great Pitch Deck
How to create a successful investor pitch deck: Keep it short, use pictures, tell a story.
Sample Pitch Plan
An example business plan presentation for angel investors: Problem—too much trash; Solution—new recycling app; Market—$400 billion; etc.
Best Way to Pitch Your Idea
Best way to pitch your startup idea to angel investors: Be real, ready, and fun to hear.
Explain Money Clearly
How to explain financials to angel investors clearly: Use easy charts, say why numbers make sense.
FAQs
How long should a pitch be?
10-15 minutes, short and clear.
How do you present your business plan to angel investors online?
Use Zoom, share slides, check the internet.
What do angels ask?
About team, market, risks.
How much company to give?
Usually 10-20%.
Where to find angels?
AngelList or startup events.
How are angels different from VCs?
Angels use their own money, fund early.
What if they say no?
Learn and try again.
Can I pitch with no progress?
Yes, but show big ideas.
What’s a good company value?
$1-5 million, based on others.
How to follow up?
Email thanks fast.
Conclusion
To succeed at how you present your business plan to angel investors, prepare well, tell a great story, and show clear money plans. Angels want to see your passion and prove your idea works. Avoid mistakes, practice, and keep trying. With these steps, you’re closer to getting the money you need.
What’s one thing you’ll do today to make your pitch better?
References
- Stripe’s guide on pitching angels – Simple tips and mistakes to avoid. ↩︎
- Quora on business proposals – Real advice from people. ↩︎
