Posted by Jorge LeClair in 
Maple Leaf Angels is Ontario’s largest and most active angel investor group. Since its founding in 2007, Maple Leaf Angels has invested $6m in start-ups. Maple Leaf Angels is made of about 40 accredited high net worth individuals, business leaders and entrepreneurs mostly from the Greater Toronto Area. A partnership with the RIC Center opened up a chapter to serve the west GTA.
Maple Leaf Angels hold 10 pitching rounds annual, with an average of about 3 companies per pitch. Maple Leaf Angels is not bias towards any one industry; a start-up from any sector can apply. It is up to individual investors to decide in who they wish to invest and how much. Typically, most investments are in the range of $200 000 to $400 000 and act as the required capital to accelerate the company forward significantly. Investors receive equity or convertible debt.
Applying for the opportunity to pitch is done through an online submission of a business plan. Submission can be done anytime, there are no deadlines. Maple Leaf Angels acknowledges that it is beneficial to have someone to known to Maple Leaf Angels act as a referral; the referral can be an innovation center (such as MARS), professional service firm (such as Mckinsey and Company,) employee of a government funding program or someone who has successfully pitched to Maple Leaf Angels. From around 40 monthly submission, 4 to 6 companies are selected for a 15 minute pitch to a review committee, the top 3 companies are invited to present to investors.
While a perfect business plan is a definite must, having a persuasive pitch is vital. The pitch should focus on the benefits to investors – market size, projected revenues, core competencies, barriers to entry, return on investment and an exit strategy.
From the time that a start-up pitches to investors, it can take between 1 and 4 months to receive a check depending the length of due diligence, negotiations and preparation of necessary legal documents.
Aside from receiving capital, angel investors often offer other benefits such their network of contacts and mentorship.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about business plans or pitching to investors. I can be contacted at jorge@jorgeleclair.ca
