Summary
Most founders think you need a $250,000 VC check to get funded, but angel investors will write you a check for $5,000, actually get to know you, and stick around as a mentor long after the money lands.
In this episode, Chris, the new director of 412 Angels, explains the real difference between angel investors and VCs, why founders should start building investor relationships long before they need the money, the most overrated (and underrated) traits he sees in early-stage founders, and what’s next for 412 Angels — including plans to launch a fund and lead their own deals.
In this episode:
- The real difference between angel investors and venture capital
- When founders should start reaching out to investors (hint: earlier than you think)
- Where to actually meet investors in Northwest Arkansas
- The most overrated trait in early-stage founders
- Chris’s advice to his younger, first-time-founder self
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – Why 90% of a founder’s job is networking
00:21 – Meet Chris Ehrhardt, back after 10 years
01:24 – From Germany to Arkansas: Chris’s origin story
02:23 – Building a startup and moving to Canada on a startup visa
05:22 – What is 412 Angels?
06:28 – Why keeping funding local matters for founders
08:20 – Angel investors vs. venture capitalists
10:24 – When founders should start talking to investors
11:51 – Where to actually meet investors in NWA
14:21 – The most overrated trait in early-stage founders
15:36 – The most underrated trait: coachability
18:09 – How 412 Angels pays it forward
19:50 – What’s next for 412 Angels
22:53 – Advice to his younger self
25:26 – Where to find Chris and 412 Angels
—
Connect with Chris & 412 Angels
🔗https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriserhardt/
—
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The Startup Junkies Podcast is brought to you in part by RISE, helping Arkansas tech and tech-enabled startups grow with no-cost coaching, capital navigation, and expert connections. Learn more at RiseArkansas.org.
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