Big thank you to former Band member Patrick Guerra for sharing his decades long experience on Smart Angel Investing and how we can successfully navigate the pitfalls. He offered an analytical approach to early-stage investing, guiding angels through the key stages of the investment lifecycle: screening, due diligence, deal structuring, post-investment engagement ("the marriage"), and realizing returns.
Band of Angels Portfolio Day
Band members attended the 14th annual Portfolio Day — a long-standing tradition that allows us to reconnect with our portfolio companies and hear firsthand how they’ve grown since receiving investment from the Band. This year was particularly special, as we also celebrate the Band’s 30th anniversary. Thank you, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, for hosting and providing valuable insights during your keynote presentations.
Band of Angels Art of the Deal Session on The Taxation Treatment of SAFEs and Convertible Debt
Thank you to Partner and Vice Chair of Lowenstein Sandler LLC’s Tax Group, Lesley Adamo, who hosted Band Members with her insights into “Startup Financing: The Tax Treatment of Convertible Notes and SAFEs”. Tax characterization of such instruments is not always clear, and the use of these instruments could have a negative tax result for investors in the absence of efficient tax planning. We discussed the typical terms of SAFEs and convertible debt, key tax considerations, strategies to mitigate negative tax outcomes, and the relevance of Sections 1202, 1045, and other tax provisions.
Band of Angels Art of the Deal Session Hosted by Brian Gormley of The Bankhead Group
Thank you to First Vice President of The Bankhead Group at Morgan Stanley, Brian Gormley, for presenting to the Band Members on “Inside the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) Exclusion”. Designed to encourage investment in small businesses, the QSBS exclusion provides owners of eligible companies with a tax exclusion for some, or all the gains realized on the sale of their stock.
Band of Angels Art of the Deal Session Hosted by Dr. Ron Weissman
Big thank you to Band of Angels Member and Chairman of the Angel Capital Association Dr. Ron Weissman who hosted the Band’s Art of the Deal Series on ‘Understanding and Mitigating Risks in Startup Investing’. His deep insights included understanding angel investment risk factors, how due diligence can help angel investors uncover key risks, and how to apply pre- and post-investment risk mitigation strategies.
