Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are you called CommonAngels?
2. CommonAngels, does that mean you take common stock?
3. Who are your members?
4. How can I join?
5. What do you look for in companies?
6. What is your process?
7. What happens after the presentation?
8. How do I contact you?
9. Are there any fees or commissions involved?
Question: Why are you called CommonAngels?
Answer: The term "angels" was first used in a business context to describe the wealthy individuals funding Broadway productions. Today the term also applies to investors of new companies. Our organization was started in June 1998 as a small breakfast group meeting near the Boston Common. Now with 75 members, two co-investment funds under management, and a series of successful investments, CommonAngels has become the leading high-tech angel group in New England.
Question: CommonAngels, does that mean you take common stock?
Answer: No, preferred. Nice try.
Question: Who are your members?
Answer: CommonAngels are private investors who have founded, co-founded or run high-tech companies. They include some of Boston's most successful entrepreneurs and leaders in the software, information technology, and internet business communities. Please see the "Members" section for a list of biographical sketches.
Question: How can I join?
Answer: CommonAngels' membership is currently full. However, if you are a successful high-tech entrepreneur and an accredited investor under SEC rules, please send an email describing your background and interests to james@commonangels.com.
Question: What do you look for in companies?
Answer: We invest in high-potential early-stage companies in new ares of information technology such as software, telephony, semiconductors, RFID, and medical devices not requiring clinical trials. We typically invest $500K to $1M as part of rounds up to $5M. Companies should also fit with our members' professional skills and interests.
Question: What is your process?
Answer: Meeting CommonAngels begins by emailing us a copy of your business plan's executive summary. Once a month, we review these materials to select the firms that most likely would have the best fit with CommonAngels overall interests, capabilities and goals. A small group of our members then meets with these firms for a dry-run 30-minute presentation and 15-minute question and answer session. Those companies that would likely receive the most favorable response from the overall membership are invited to present at our monthly breakfast meeting.
Question: What happens after the presentation?
Answer: If there is sufficient interest in making an investment, two or more of CommonAngels members will lead the due diligence process, which typically takes four to six weeks. After closing the deal, a CommonAngels member will likely join the board of directors and will facilitate interaction between the group and the company.
Question: How do I contact you?
Answer: Because our members are distributed throughout the Boston area, email works best. We prefer not to receive full business plans (or anything else for that matter) in hard copy. Please email a copy of your executive summary to :
If you have further questions, feel free to call us at 781-274-9124
Question: Are there any fees or commissions involved?
Answer: There are no charges to submit materials to CommonAngels or to present to the group. CommonAngels strongly believes in the importance of being accessible to the entrepreneurial community. CommonAngels takes no commissions, but we do get reimbursed for legal fees when a deal is done.