How to Angel Invest Without Being Accredited

Published on
December 16, 2022
How to Angel Invest Without Being Accredited
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Are you interested in becoming an angel investor, but don't think you have what it takes? You don't need to be accredited in order to invest like one. In this post, we'll teach you how to angel invest without being accredited so you can get started right away.

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How to Angel Invest Without Being Accredited

If you’ve ever wanted to get in on the ground floor of a startup company, but didn’t think you had the right connections or enough money, think again. You don’t need to be wealthy or well-connected to participate in angel investing. In fact, the SEC is now offering more opportunities for how to angel invest without being accredited, allowing beginner investors to get involved in early-stage investing.

So if you’ve ever wanted to be an angel investor but felt like you didn’t fit the profile, this post is for you.

What is an angel investor?

An angel investor is an individual who provides financial backing to early-stage businesses or startup companies. Angel investors typically invest their own personal funds, as opposed to institutional investors like venture capitalists.

What is an accredited investor?

An accredited investor is an individual who meets certain criteria set by the SEC, including having a net worth of $1 million or more, or an annual income of $200,000 or more.

In the past, the only way for non-accredited investors to participate in angel investing was to find a registered investment advisor who was willing to manage their investment.

However, the SEC’s new rules are opening up the opportunity for non-accredited investors to participate directly in angel investing.

Here's how to angel invest without being accredited.

Last July 2016, the SEC issued new rules that expanded the definition of an accredited investor. The new rules include two major changes:

  1. The SEC now allows individuals to qualify as accredited investors based on certain professional certifications, designations, or other credentials.
  2. The SEC now allows individuals to qualify as accredited investors based on certain knowledge and experience factors.

The new rules are a welcome development for early-stage investors who want to learn how to angel invest without being accredited.

The SEC now allows non-accredited investors to participate in angel investing without having to go through a registered investment advisor.

How to Angel Invest as an Accredited Investor

In order to become an accredited investor, an individual must have earned income that exceeded $200,000 (or $300,000 jointly with a spouse) in each of the previous two years and reasonably expects to earn the same or more in the current year.

You must also have a net worth exceeding $1 million either individually or jointly with a spouse (excluding primary residence).

Any entity consisting of equity owners with total assets in excess of $5 million can also become an accredited investor.

(Source)

Why Do Angel Investors Need to Be Accredited?

As an angel investor, you need to be accredited in order to invest in certain startups and get access to exclusive deals. Being accredited gives you more opportunities to invest early in companies with high potential for growth.

Additionally, it allows you to take on more risk than non-accredited investors since you are considered a sophisticated investor.

There are many benefits of being an accredited investor, so if you're interested in becoming one, make sure to do your research and meet the requirements set forth by the SEC.

Benefits of an Accredited Investor

As an accredited investor, you have access to a number of benefits that non-accredited investors do not.

For example, you can invest in private equity and hedge funds, as well as early-stage companies. This can lead to significantly higher potential returns.

In addition, you have fewer financial disclosure requirements as an accredited investor.

For those looking to get into angel investing, it is important to understand the benefits of being an accredited investor. This will ensure that you are able to make the most informed decision possible about whether or not this is the right path for you.

What if You Do Not Meet Accreditation Requirements?

If you're not an accredited investor, there are still ways to get involved in investing.

You can become a member of an angel group or venture capital firm, invest in a crowdfunding campaign, or start your own business.

There are also many online platforms that allow non-accredited investors to participate in private equity and venture capital deals.

While you may have some restrictions on how much you can invest and what types of investments you can make, there are plenty of opportunities for non-accredited investors to get involved in the exciting world of startups and early-stage companies.

How to angel invest without being accredited?

One option is to become a member of an angel group. These groups are typically made up of wealthy individuals who pool their money to invest in early-stage companies.

While you may not be able to invest directly in the companies, being a member of an angel group gives you access to a network of experienced investors and entrepreneurs.

Another option is to invest in a crowdfunding campaign. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow anyone to invest in a wide variety of projects. You can browse the campaigns and choose to invest in the ones that you believe in.

Finally, you can start your own business. This may not be an option for everyone, but if you have a great business idea, it can be a great way to get involved in the startup world. Not only will you be able to raise money from investors, but you'll also get first-hand experience in starting and running a business.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can get involved in startup investing without being an accredited investor. There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved and make a difference.

Key Takeaway: There are plenty of opportunities for non-accredited investors to get involved in startup investing. You can become a member of an angel group, invest in a crowdfunding campaign, or start your own business.

FAQs About How to Angel Invest Without Being Accredited

How do you invest if you are not accredited?

Equity-based crowdfunding campaigns allow non-accredited individuals to invest small amounts of money, which was previously only open to individuals with high net worth. Startups often use these campaigns as a method of raising capital for their early-stage financing.

How can I invest in real estate without being accredited?

  • Buy-And-Hold Rental Properties
  • House Hacking
  • Fix-And-Flips
  • BRRRR Strategy
  • Private Lending
  • Joint Venture Partnerships
  • Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms
  • Private Real Estate Syndications

Conclusion

If you want to try how to angel invest without being accredited, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

First, not every investment platform is likely to allow non-accredited investors to participate.

Second, fees can vary greatly from one platform to another, so be sure to compare before you commit.

And finally, remember that even though you may not be accredited, you can still lose money if you don't do your homework.

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Jed Ng
Author:
Jed Ng

“Jed is the Founder of AngelSchool.vc - a program dedicated to helping angels build their own syndicates.

He has a track record of exits and Unicorns, and is backed by 1000+ LPs.

He previously built and ran the world's largest API Marketplace in partnership with a16z-backed, RapidAPI".

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