Why Become an Angel Investor?
In addition to providing an opportunity to mentor entrepreneurs and help grow promising companies, angel investing offers the potential for an attractive return on investment. Maine Angels is the preeminent private organization in Maine targeting early stage investment opportunities and is actively seeking diverse new members.
SOCIAL AND COLLABORATIVE BENEFITs
Together we are stronger. Together we help Maine entrepreneurs pivot, focus, and succeed in a fast-changing world. We believe that Maine is well-situated for the future because of its culture of resiliency and sustainability. We work very closely with the state's venture funding agencies (Maine Technology Institute and Maine Venture Fund) and other private organizations like CEI Ventures to help fund promising startups in Maine.
Maine Angels is part of the national Angel Capital Association, working in syndication with New England Angel groups including eCoast Angels, Golden Seeds LLC, HubAngels, LaunchPad Venture Group, TiE Angels and others.
Maine Angels benefits from inclusivity and we seek members that represent diversity of race, religion, orientation, and age.
Our current membership is one-third female. We collaborate with women groups, including the NNEWIN (Northern New England Women’s Investor Network) and Propeller.
CRITERIA
To become an Active Member, you must be an Accredited Investor (per SEC), able to sustain the financial risks inherent in your investments. Generally, “accredited investor” requires:
annual income of at least $200,000 individually, or $300,000 with their partner, for the past two years, and expectation of similar income during the current year
OR
net worth (with partner) of $1,000,000, excluding primary residence
Each new member must be prepared to meet the "Commitments" described below.
November 6, 2019 ACA Regional Meeting, Foley Hoag, Boston MA: Record number of Mainers in attendance as entrepreneurs and investors.
INQUIRIEs
Individuals interested in joining Maine Angels should contact an officer or member, to engage in preliminary conversation and attendance at a monthly meeting. Candidates must be sponsored, either by a current Maine Angels member, or via contact@maineangels.org. You may attend two meetings as our guest, to determine whether Maine Angels is a good fit for you. Attendance at one meeting is a prerequisite of membership application.
Maine Angels also has two categories of Organization Associate Membership and inquiries for these may be sent to contact@maineangels.org:
Observing Partner Organization Membership - available for those non-profit or quasi-state organizations that share Maine Angels mission; providing Maine’s entrepreneurs with two critical resources: seed capital and management guidance.
Affiliate Organization Membership - available for those for-profit investment organizations.
Maine Angels Deal Management Lead Brian Walker (third from right) participating in a breakfast panel organized by Maine Outdoor Brands at Machias Savings Bank, Portland Maine, November 2019
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
With a sponsor and after attending at least one meeting (as described above under "Inquiries"), you may apply for membership:
First, “Sign up for Dealum” (a Maine Angels digital workspace). Then Download our Application, and Save it. After review and completion, Upload your Application to us on the same Dealum webpage.
An applicant’s partner may be included within the same membership and dues, but must apply separately — as an individual. Partners constitute one membership.
Following submission of an application fee of $1,500 (which includes dues for the current calendar year) and a completed application, you will be contacted within one month.
Maine Angels Membership Chair Bobbie Lamont (2nd row, far right) with the Maine Delegation at the Arctic Circle Assembly, Reykjavik, Iceland, October 2019
COMMITMENTs
Active members renew their commitment to Maine Angels with annual dues and signing the Member Expectations Contract that outlines member expectations of involvement, investment and upholding of Maine Angel policies. Details can be found by clicking the button below. Our membership fee is $750, billed in November.
Join Us!
Become a Maine Angel to take part in rewarding opportunities. Meet entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, invest in industries you feel passionate about, diversify your portfolio, collaborate with members and entrepreneurs to learn new skills, share your expertise to leave your mark, and participate in the economic growth of our Maine communities.
Maine Angels member Bill Hetzel presenting at the Pew Charitable Trust Clean Energy Business Network
