Being a tech entrepreneur in Atlanta can be confusing. There are a lot of organizations that can help you, but it is sometimes difficult to navigate all of them. We will be starting a new series to help create a "glossary" of acronyms and terms that you should know about. We will work through the alphabet and select a few key terms each week. We welcome your suggestions.
Let‘s start with A…
ATDC – The Advanced Technology Development Center – a nationally-recognized science and technology incubator that helps Georgia entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies (www.atdc.org)
ATA – Atlanta Technology Angels – angel group that funds early stage technology startups in Georgia (www.angelatlanta.com/)
Angels – a high net-worth individual who invests his or her own money in start-up companies in exchange for an equity share of the businesses.
Anti-dilution – a clause in a term sheet that protects investors in future rounds if your valuation goes down. It basically allows investors price protection for their shares if the next round is at a lower price per share. (Link)
Accredited Investor – term used to define an investor that the SEC permits to invest in high risk deals (like yours). Make sure all your angel investors are accredited. Requirements: must have a net worth of at least one million US dollars or have made at least $200,000 each year for the last two years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accredited_investor)
ASAP – Arial Savannah Angel Partners – an angel network headquartered in Savannah, GA that invests in growth-oriented businesses in the Southeast. (www.savannahangelpartners.com)