VC or Angel investors, looking for advice

[georgeinhere]

.....

[techweenie]

Be wary. You are in shark-infested waters. The basic VC deal these days is control of the company and liquidation preference that guarantees a 500% return on *their* investment before anyone else gets a penny. Nobody would ever take a VC deal except that they will drag it out until you've run out of money completely and they have the leverage.

Angels can be another matter. They want some of the same things, but hopefully are attracted to the deal by an affinity for the product/market or because they like/admire the team.

If you do get a willing investor, do not negotiate with yourself on the investment. Ask for everything you need and more. The main cause of early business failure is undercapitalization.

-- the above advice cost me several million dollars.