• Rules from the BABY’s Book on Becoming a Billionaire
  
  

  • Rule #50: If you want to soar with the angels...

• Don’t assume that angel investors are stupid. They want to understand the project, which means that you may need to spend time educating them.

• Raising money is a process, not a moment in time.

• Clearly explain who your customer is and how you get paid. That’s the basis of your elevator pitch.

If you’re starting or growing your business, raising money is one of your top issues. Friends, family, credit cards, and a second mortgage (if you own a home) are all options. But after you've exhausted these, what's next?

One option is private investors, often called "angels," who are willing to put money into early stage companies. In 2006, 234,000 angel investors invested $25.6 billion in 51,000 companies—a 10 percent increase over 2005—according to a study by the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire. Interestingly enough, technology entrepreneurs were most favored by these investors with health care services and medical devices/equipment each receiving 21 percent of the investment “pie,” followed by software and biotech with 18 percent each.

On today's show, you'll meet members of the Keiretsu Forum, a network of more than 500 accredited investor members. Since September 2000, Keiretsu Forum members have invested over $100 million in 140 companies in technology, healthcare/life sciences, consumer products, real estate and other segments with high growth potential.

You'll also have an opportunity to listen to elevator pitches by entrepreneurs who were at the Summit to raise money.

IndieVest, together with its network of high net worth private investors, aims to be the leading independent film investment company and studio brand.

Vision Quest is a broad multi-platform entertainment company specializing in interactive literature, web casts, games and new technology production. The company’s first product is The Vision Quest, a science fiction adventure fantasy.

ArmorLite Roofing provides a major break through in traditional roofing concepts by offering durability, aesthetic, environmental, and safety advantages. The company claims ArmorLite will be the last roof that homeowners will ever need.

Tuki.com is a children’s Internet browser that offers web-based parental controls, a cartoon browser interface, access to pre-approved “kid-safe” sites, and the ability to customize a child’s online experience.