Where investors place importance, beyond just seeing a financial return

Reynolds says angels have always been motivated by factors other than just the financial returns as on a deal-by-deal basis, early-stage investors are more likely to lose their money than not. As well as this, 90 percent of their returns come from just 10 percent of the investments they make. Given this, financial returns are important for the venture to be sustainable, but they’re also not the only driver. “Beyond financial returns, angel investors are also highly motivated by paying forward the experience and support they have had in their careers, they want to be part of creating wealth in the broadest sense of the word for New Zealanders, many get a buzz from being part of the future and others are motivated by being part of a community of similarly ambitious, creative and optimistic people,” Reynolds says. “Good investors are acutely aware that looking after the planet and people is simply part of creating a sustainable, profitable, exponentially impactful business.”