Joining Hunter Angels isn’t just about having money; it's really about becoming part of a collective effort aimed at nurturing new businesses. Many individuals are drawn to angel investing, and specifically to communities, because they are motivated by more than just financial returns. They often feel a strong desire to "give back," sharing the knowledge, experience, and networks they've built throughout their careers. Contributing to startups allows them to play a direct role in innovation and economic development, mentoring founders and helping exciting new ventures find their feet. This personal connection and contribution to building something is a significant draw for many.

There are no formal eligibility requirements besides a willingness to contribute and invest.
This means you must be prepared to:

Deploy Capital:

Be ready and willing to invest your own funds into the deals the group evaluates and presents. We don’t have a minimum annual investment or minimum per-deal investment as each member has a different risk profile and have their own investment thesis, although it is expected that you would actively invest over a period of time.

Contribute Expertise & Time:

This is key to the community aspect. Groups thrive when members participate actively in the investment process, which includes helping with due diligence on potential deals, offering strategic advice, making introductions from their network, and potentially mentoring the founders of portfolio companies. Your experience and willingness to share it are highly valued assets.

As an Angel community we are governed by regulations in Australia (and many other countries) that you generally must meet - you need to qualify as a "sophisticated investor" or "wholesale client" under the Corporations Act. This isn't about your academic qualifications; it's a legal measure designed to protect less experienced investors from the high risks associated with investing in private, early-stage companies. You typically meet this status by satisfying certain income or net asset thresholds, or sometimes through specific professional experience. This is the primary formal hurdle you'll encounter when looking to join a recognised angel group or participate in syndicated deals. 

So, in summary, while traditional formal qualifications aren't the barrier, meeting the "sophisticated investor" criteria is a non-negotiable legal requirement. Beyond that, the eligibility truly centres on your genuine desire to contribute financially and, importantly, with your knowledge and network to the dynamic world of Australian startups.  

You don’t need to be meet the ‘sophisticated investor’ criteria to join Hunter Angels but will need to fulfil the tests before you invest in any opportunities.

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