Business Angel Masterclass
Invest Confidently in Early-Stage Startups
A practical, jargon-free introduction to angel investing for professionals who want to back early-stage startups with confidence, structure and a clear strategy.
Through our course you will:
- Understand how early-stage startup investing really works – risks, returns and timelines.
- Learn how to assess founders, teams and deals without needing a finance background.
- See simple structures for making and managing your first 3–5 investments.
- Connect with other new angels and a curated pipeline of startup opportunities through Prospera.
Who Is This Masterclass For?
Designed for busy professionals, business owners, and diaspora Irish ready to start angel investing in early-stage startups. Perfect if you have capital to deploy, value innovation and impact, and want a structured, confidence-building way to begin.
New or emerging business angels
Executives or founders exploring investing
Family office or syndicate members
Diaspora and regional investors seeking Irish and European deal flow
What You Will Learn
Across a focused 1.5-day programme, the masterclass walks through the full angel investing journey from first deal to exit, using real examples and simple tools.
Foundations of Angel Investing
- What is a business angel and where angels fit in the funding landscape.
- How startup portfolios work: failure rates, power-law returns and realistic time horizons.
- Setting your personal angel strategy, ticket sizes and risk limits.
Finding and Evaluating Deals
- Where good early-stage deals come from and how to access them through networks and platforms.
- Simple ways to assess the founding team, market and traction without over-analysing.
- Common red flags and the top investment pitfalls to avoid.
Structuring the Investment
- Plain-English overview of equity, SAFEs and convertible notes.
- Key terms to focus on beyond valuation: dilution, vesting, information rights and more.
- How to co-invest with others through structured syndicates and SPVs.
After the Cheque: Portfolio & Exits
- How to be a helpful angel without becoming unpaid management.
- Basic portfolio tracking, follow-on decisions and governance.
- Understanding exit scenarios, returns and taxation considerations.
Format & Schedule
An interactive masterclass combining real-world case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises.
Designed as a concise, high-impact learning experience with opportunities for Q&A, reflection, and networking.
Group sizes are intentionally small to ensure meaningful discussion and personalised support.
Places are limited – this programme runs only a few times per year to maintain quality and connection.
Why Learn With Prospera?
Prospera specialises in working with both startups and business angels, structuring compliant, founder-friendly investment vehicles and supporting investors throughout the lifecycle from first cheque to exit. Sitting between founders, syndicates and professional investors means the team sees what works – and what doesn't – across many early-stage deals.
You benefit from practical insights gathered from real fundraising rounds, structured SPVs and ongoing portfolio support across Ireland, the UK and wider Europe. The masterclass distils these lessons into simple frameworks, checklists and templates you can use immediately.
Ready to Start Angel Investing?
If you are curious about angel investing and want a safe place to learn, ask questions and meet like-minded investors, this masterclass is the best next step. Share a few details and Prospera will follow up with dates, locations and a brief call to confirm fit.
Check Out Future Events
Join Prospera and our ecosystem partners for masterclasses, investor clinics, startup meetups and networking events across Ireland and Europe.
View Upcoming EventsBook a 30-Minute
Introduction Call
If you are curious about becoming a business angel but not sure where to start, a short introduction call is often the easiest next step. In this 30-minute conversation, you can ask questions, outline your goals and get honest guidance on whether group or 1:1 angel education makes sense for you right now.
- No obligation, no hard sell – just a straightforward conversation.
- Clarify how much you might invest, over what timeframe and in what types of startups.
- Understand how Prospera works with new angels and syndicates in Ireland and across Europe.