Angel investors: the basics

Like real guardian angels, angel investors help finance and support entrepreneurs’ innovative ideas. Behind the term “angel investor” are people from a variety of backgrounds, including former CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs. They all share a deep passion for entrepreneurship, a strong drive to stimulate innovation, and an appetite for risk. 

A financial investment focused on startups 

Angel investors finance the creation and development of a startup either independently (direct investment) or through an intermediary holding company that pools funds (indirect investment). The amount they invest can reach up to several million euros. This calculated risk can bring rewards in the form of capital gain.

Angel investors remain minority shareholders in the companies they support. The additional capital can come from investment companies, other angel investors or crowdfunding, which is also becoming a popular form of financing. 

Support, expertise and experience sharing

Angel investors typically provide a financial investment in the early phases of a startup’s activity. But they can also offer the following support: 

• expertise (technical, market, management, etc.)
• experienced advice on starting a business
• a new vision, with more perspective on projects
• a network (leads, contacts, more credibility, etc.) 

All these assets can make a crucial difference when launching a startup!

BNP Paribas: working alongside angel investors

In 2015, BNP Paribas and France Angels renewed their national partnership formed in 2014. Through the terms of this agreement, businesses in France can take advantage of specific banking skills and knowledge developed by BNP Paribas. 

Companies can find more information about this initiative at our Small Business Centers, Entrepreneurs’ Workshops (Maisons des Entrepreneurs), private banks and 15 Innovation Centers.  

With this agreement, BNP Paribas confirms its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, already at the heart of our Innov&Connect program (connecting startups and mid-sized businesses) and our BNP Paribas Entrepreneurs 2016 program.