Entrepreneur FAQ's

Entrepreneur FAQ

What is the Central Investment Network?
The Central Investment Network is an online platform designed to connect entrepreneurs (looking for growth or start-up capital) and angel investors (looking for investment opportunities). The Central Investment Network is unique in that it offers a local, national and global platform with partner networks across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. The Central Investment Network is continually growing, developing and updating its extensive database of angel investors.

What is an Angel Investor?
Originally, the term "angel" was coined to refer to the people who financed Broadway plays when all else failed. Today this term has become common within the investment community to refer to a high net-worth individual that invests their own personal funds in various businesses. In the US, it is estimated that there are well over 200,000 potential angel investors that annually invest approximately $3 billion in US businesses and currently own over $12 billion in existing equity. This represents roughly 7% of what the banks are investing. Statistics also show that this figure trumps that of venture capital lending. The US labor market and productivity centre estimates that angel investments have financed approximately twice as many firms as any other form of external equity investment, including institutional venture capital.

Who is a typical Angel Investor?
Angel investors are often retired entrepreneurs or executives, who may be interested in angel investing for reasons that go beyond pure monetary return. These include wanting to keep abreast of current developments in a particular business arena, mentoring another generation of entrepreneurs, and making use of their experience and networks on a less-than-full-time basis. Thus, in addition to funds, angel investors can often provide valuable management advice and important contacts.

What is the difference between an Angel Investor and a Venture Capital firm?
Angels make their own decisions as opposed to a board or group of people making a decision for investors that have pooled money together. Angels tend to be more involved in the businesses that they invest in and provide assistance in ways that venture capital firms do not. Angels typically do not own as large a stake in the company as a venture capital firm would. Another benefit of being an angel investor is the reception of certain tax incentives from investing in US controlled small businesses.

How much does it cost?
More information can be found on Our Rates Page.

Why isn’t it free of charge?
Many people have asked us why we charge entrepreneurs for the service. Firstly we are running a commercial enterprise and don’t get any public funding, so we need to cover our admin and promotion costs, pay staff to check your submission and pay for the upkeep of the website. Secondly we are providing a valuable service to the entrepreneurs who need the much needed to support to get their ideas in front of investors. To set up a serious business with outside funding you do need to be prepared to spend some money. The fee is very low compared to other companies in the industry who will often charge around 5% of the amount you wish to borrow.

Do I have to pay for every contact?
No, the Express, Express Plus and Global Express Plus packages all give you to access to the contact details of ALL the investors who wish to contact you. Your proposal remains active for 90 days and all investor contacts are included in this period. You do not need to pay for each contact.

Why don’t you take a success fee instead?
If you think of Angel Investment Network as the funding equivalent of an online dating agency it makes more sense. You wouldn’t expect a dating agency to only get paid if and when you marry the partner you found on their site. They wouldn’t be able to find you or know you were getting married without employing a private detective! Likewise we can’t hope to individually track everyone who enters their idea over the internet. Often all we have is an email address for you. Plus we have no control over how good your idea is and therefore your likelihood of finding an Angel. There may be a few Angel groups who don’t charge upfront, but they heavily screen incoming ideas and reject about 90% of them, which means most people are left without a chance of connecting with Angels.

How do I know if my proposal has been received?
You will know that your proposal has been received if it appears in the "active proposals" list of your member's area. If no proposal appears in your member's area then you will need to re-submit your proposal. Always write your proposal in a word processing program and cut and paste to avoid the page timing out.

Why isn’t my proposal appearing in the list of recent proposals?
If you have just submitted your proposal, it is probably because we haven’t approved it yet. We have to read and activate each proposal before it is released to the investors. Alternatively it may be because you have just edited your proposal, which means that it is removed from the system until we reapprove it.

Does my company have to be established?
No, we accept projects at every stage of development – from ideas to start-up companies to mature businesses. Even if your project is still an idea, it could still be of interest to the investors. They might even have the relevant knowhow and expertise to get the ball rolling.

Is there a maximum/minimum investment?
No, our investors are interested in projects ranging from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars.

Are the contact requests automated?
No, all the contact requests you receive are from investors who have read your investment proposal and decided they want to discuss your project in more detail.

Who are the Angel Investors on this website?
The investors on our website have been compiled from databases of angel investors, company directors and private investment groups. They also include individual investors who have registered in the hope of finding investment opportunities. Our database is continually expanding with new investors looking to invest in companies like yours.

How much information should I include in my proposal?
If you are worried about confidentiality we would advise you not to give away too many details in your proposal. Try and write enough to get the investors interested in your project without revealing the key ideas. In the "Useful Documents" page of our "Get Investor Ready" section, you will find a free NDA document, which you can get all the potential investors to sign before presenting your idea in full.

How is my privacy protected?
The site was developed using proprietary database management tools and a secure server is used to assure that no one sees your business or personal information. Your information is not offered to any third party for any purposes and is guaranteed to be kept confidential and private.

Why should I use this service?
As an entrepreneur, you are already aware of the growing resistance of banks in the US to finance small business. It is virtually impossible to obtain financing without having secured assets, providing personal guarantees etc. Angel investors are the logical source to provide financing to small businesses. With $1 billion invested annually in the US and growing all the time, the main obstacle is locating and presenting your idea to this large group of investors. The Central Investment Network allows an entrepreneur to:
a) Find a source of capital.
b) Find an experienced investor that can provide guidance and support.
c) Make it all come together in a fast and efficient way.

How will I attract the attention of potential investors?
When dealing with an angel investor, at the very least your proposal should address the following:
- How much money do you need?
- Why do you need it?
- When do you need it?
- What are you willing to give up to get it?
- When and how can you pay it back?
Investors need your answers to these questions before they will even consider helping you. They are not looking for "pipe dreams" or unprofessional sounding proposals. They expect a reasonably sound business plan as well as an understanding from entrepreneurs that an investor is not going to just blindly hand over significant sums of money with no strings attached whatsoever. They may be angels but there are limits to what they are prepared to do.

How can I pay if I don't have a credit card?
If you are unable to or feel uncomfortable using a credit card, you can pay by PayPal, MoneyBookers or bank transfer.

Why am I being asked to pay again?
You have to pay the Express, Express Plus or Global Express Plus Fee for every proposal you submit.

Due Diligence
Please be aware that after the initial match has been made it is the entrepreneur's responsibility to carry out diligence on the investor. Please inform us of any suspicious behaviour.

I have other questions. Who do I contact?
Contact us by email: admin@centralinvestmentnetwork.com

United States > Georgia

$2,000,000 to $15,000,000

January 28, 2012

I am married with two kids. I am 41 years of age, been married for 10 years. We currently live in Atlanta, have been here for 6 years, moved from South Florida where I lived for 17 years. I got my MBA from Nova Southeastern University. I have been in the Accounting filed for over 15 years. My husband and I have a small remodeling company which brings in arount 75-80 thousand a year. We are looking into buying and flipping houses. I had my real estate license in Florida but decided not to renew it in Georgia as the market was kind of slow. However, my husband and I decided that it would be good for us to get back into what we love. Buy houses, fix it up and then resell it for cheap. Personally, we want to see families in homes, their own homes. The goals for our family is to get rich the right way. We are willing to work for it, but the results must be tangible. Because I have the business background and my husband have the skills, it would only be fitting to go the next step.

United States > Florida

$300,000 to $300,000,000

January 27, 2012

All of our financing programs are from nonbank, direct funding sources offering lenient underwriting and an alternative approach to help your business grow. This approach allows us to meet most of today’s current entrepreneurs credit profile’s and offer the entrepreneur a gateway to many competitive financing programs and tools not found in today’s traditional or conventional banking stream. Mateo Capital Group can quote your commercial financing need at no cost & no obligation. Our fees are strictly based on performance. Mateo Capital Group offers a consultative approach to resolve your business financing needs. We specialize in business loan financing for small-to middle market companies with $300 thousand to $100 million in sales. Resolving your financing needs no matter how big or how small is our goal. We have over 14 years of business lending experience and our network of direct alternative financing funders and investors have made us cash flow experts in almost any industry

United States > Alabama

$1,000 to $750,000

January 24, 2012

I have reciently sold a buisness that I started and ran for 15 years. The buisness designed and built custom robotic and assembly equipment for industry. I am 42 years old and my degree is in electrical engineering. I live in Decatur, AL. I am currently seeking a company to invest in where i can use my background in engineering and automation to provide a value added benifit to this company. I have experiance in all aspects of buisness development including sales, marketing, financial, design and production.

United States > Texas

$1,000,000 to $10,000,000

January 6, 2012

I am an individual investor with 5 years Angel Investment experience. Msc Business management and Bsc. in Statistics Interested in Debt financing & Equity Start-up (product launch/marketing phase) and Operational (growth phase) investment stage. Contact me so we may discuss the investment opportunities.

United States > Michigan

$50,000 to $1,000,000

January 4, 2012

I am an Angel Investor based in the Petoskey area of Northern Michigan. Originally from New York City, I have more than 25 years business experience with expertise in operations, marketing and finance. More than 10 years of my business experience were devoted to start-up businesses seeking between $3M and $100M. My investment tolerance is wide and I have a high aptitude and understanding for assisting start- ups. I focus on details – the specifics – of what makes a business successful and sustainable; and I thrive on helping to create unique marketing and sales strategies that generate revenues! The capital I provide can be in the form of a traditional loan, and/or equity position. I will entertain board positions. Non-profits are welcomed too! I am passionate about helping organizations that help the underserved. You may email me with your opportunity: einlaw@eobsecure.com

Australia > Osborne Park

$1,000,000 to $3,000,000

January 1, 2012

I am a 46 business owner based in Perth , Western Australia I own several business in the construction and home services industries. I am looking to invest individually on a passive basis but will offer any expertise or advice if required

United States > Utah

$25,000 to $1,000,000

December 27, 2011

We represent a Consortium of investors. We act as an intermediary between potential financing sources and entrepreneurs seeking financing. Our objective is to maximize the potential benefits to the both parties. We feel this is best done through a solid Business Plan by the Entrepreneur. We have the resources to support Entrepreneurs with this process. When the Business Plan is ready, we will help match appropriate financing sources.

Belgium > Kortijs

$500,000 to $750,000

December 27, 2011

Private Investor I have access to 500-750K USD to invest in US based project.

United States > Washington

$25,000 to $100,000

December 23, 2011

Two years as an angel investor, background in telecommunicatiions, military, and energy efficiency.

United States > Colorado

$750,000 to $1,000,000

December 6, 2011

40 yrs old, married, Colorado resident. Currently an independent IT consultant, partner of a consulting compnay, invested in many commercial and residential properties. Masters In Engineering. looking for hands-on investment opportunity.

United States > Nebraska

$500,000 to $15,000,000

December 4, 2011

I am a 53 yrs. Old individual investor, single and currently living in the Mid- west. I have a electronics and computer engineering degree and currently work in the Bakken Shale for one of the world's largest oilfield services company. I have an income over 200K per year and own two real estate income properties, but would like to invest in other business opportunities. Would like my involvement to be determined by the type of investment. In other words would not rule out hands on.

United States > Washington D.C.

$100,000 to $500,000

November 30, 2011

Am a Registered Nurse. I have been in the health industry for over 20 years and now I am seeking to invest my savings in a profitable venture

United States > Connecticut

$500 to $5,000

November 29, 2011

Single, 27 year old male in Connecicut. Currently work at a real estate private equity fund that invests in Hotels in North America and Europe. Am new to privtae investing, an individual investor who is looking forward to learning more about your opportunities.

United States > Utah

$0 to $8,000

November 23, 2011

67 years old; divorced; Logan, Utah. High school English teacher; M.A. English; ABD PhD in education; Calif.Building Contractor (1977-2007). Individual investor, silent, hands-on, or advisory.

United States > California

$100 to $50,000,000

November 19, 2011

I am a motivated individual, married and my wife is a part of every venture I get into. I have Associates Degree in Computer Technology. Currently reside in Silicon Valley. Looking for a hands on or silent investment. I have the time and money. Invested in Clothing line which imports from various countries. Traveled to Honduras, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia. Setup a distribution warehouse in California. Involved with every aspect of business. Invested in a Restaurant startup looking to franchise in near future. Grossed over $600,000.00USD in first 8 months of operation. Helped with build from ground up. CEO of a successful sales and marketing firm we represent America's largest newspaper publishers. Started company from the ground up. Consistant growth over past 6 years with sales exceeding $2 million USD.

United States > Oklahoma

$1,000 to $30,000

November 19, 2011

I'm a sales and marketing professional with close to 10 years of experience mostly in the IT industry. I'm very business savy and looking for new opportunities and bright ideas out there where i can invest. I can act as an advisor and can offer a wealth of experience in marketing your ideas and going after the market.

United States > Colorado

$5,000 to $30,000

November 18, 2011

Accredited Investor looking for advisory role in start up companies

United States > North Carolina

$1,000 to $100,000

November 13, 2011

I am married and am a stay at home dad with extra income that I am looking to invest in other ares besides just stocks. I have owned two small businesses and sold them both to be a full time dad.

United States > Iowa

$100,000 to $1,000,000

November 10, 2011

Cumberland Telephone Company is an independent telephone company located in the southwest portion of Iowa. We are looking to invest in organizations and companies that are telecom or IT related.

United States > New Jersey

$300,000 to $1,000,000

November 8, 2011

Financial Executive representing wealthy individuals seeking to invest in driven entrepreneurs. Can bring 30 years experience in finance and business operations including acquisitions and mergers. We will be looking to provide guidance and to compliment your strengths. Expectation is to give you the freedom to use your passion for your product or service to expand your business relieving you of administrative burdens which divert your focus. We do expect clearcut goals (financial and other) and will work with you to move toward them ultimately arriving at a mutually rewarding experience for all.