Golden Seeds Knowledge Institute: Angel Investing Courses

Nine structured angel investing courses, taught by experienced investors, designed to build your confidence and skill at every stage.

Invest with Knowledge and Confidence 

The Golden Seeds Knowledge Institute was established to ensure that angel investors have the knowledge to optimize their experience in investing in early-stage companies. For investors who are just starting out in angel investing, the Knowledge Institute provides a structured, practitioner-led curriculum from foundational concepts through advanced due diligence and sector-specific training.

The Knowledge Institute has been widely recognized as an outstanding way to learn about angel investing from experienced investors alongside other participants. In fact, we have been invited to teach these courses in many countries throughout the world. Learn more about our courses and register below.

Learning Experience

The nine angel investing courses of the Knowledge Institute, which range from the basics of angel investing to industry-specific due diligence training, are comprised of a combination of interactive discussions and case studies in a learning environment that is open, collaborative, and supportive. All sessions are offered with remote participation.

Our current offerings, outlined below, are available to Golden Seeds members and others who are interested in early-stage investing. Non-members who register for a course may apply their registration payment to the initiation fee if they join Golden Seeds within three months.

Essential training for every new investor

Core Angel Investing Courses

The Knowledge Institute has four core angel investing courses which appear here. These courses may be taken in any order, but it is strongly recommended that participants start with "Introduction to Angel Investing," the ideal starting point for investors new to the asset class.

Register for all upcoming courses here

Introduction to Angel Investing

Topics covered in this session include:

  • What is Golden Seeds?
  • Risks and Rewards of Angel Investing
  • The Investment Process

The Due Diligence Process

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Introduction to Due Diligence
  • Key Areas: Deal Teams, Diligence Playbook, and Deal Memos
  • Conducting an Effective and Efficient Process

Cap Tables & Term Sheets

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Cap Tables – Navigating the Maze
  • Term Sheet Provisions and their Impact on Investment Returns

Boards & Governance

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Fundamentals of a Start-Up Board
  • Board Mechanics and Decision Making
  • Key Topics and Potential Issues
  • Advisory Boards

Apply your skills to specialized markets

Sector Training

These five courses delve into the nuances of investing in our three primary sectors which require specialized expertise: Consumer (B2C), Health Care (HC), and Enterprise Services and Technology (B2B).

These courses, taught by members with deep expertise in these areas, provide an overview of key things to consider when evaluating startups within these sectors.

Register for all upcoming courses here
 

Consumer Products & Applications Sector Training

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Defining the Consumer Sector
  • Primary Characteristics and Forms of Distribution
  • Industry Dynamics and Risk Factors
  • Analyzing Financial Statements
  • Valuation Approach and Criteria for Investing
  • Summary of Key Considerations and Lessons Learned

Enterprise Services and Technology (B2B)

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Definition, Characteristics and Lifecycle of a B2B Business
  • Monetization Models
  • Evaluating a Potential B2B Investment
  • Financial Analysis
  • Key Milestones and Performance Indicators

Health Care Sector Training

We offer three health care sector trainings that focus on different sub-sectors of the industry: Devices & Diagnostics, Digital Health & Consumer Health, and Therapeutics
 

Devices & Diagnostics

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Overview of Medical Devices & Diagnostics
  • Risks and Rewards
  • Overview of FDA Approval Processes
  • What to Assess, Key Diligence Questions, and Current Trends


Digital Health & Consumer Health

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Latest Trends
  • Product and Service Types
  • Evolving Regulatory Context
  • Key Questions to Evaluate Investment Opportunities


Therapeutics

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Phases of Drug Development
  • FDA Market Exclusivity and Patents
  • Exits and "Biobucks"
  • Trends in BioPharma
  • Considerations for Early-Stage Investors

Register for an Upcoming Training Session

Healthcare Sector Training - Digital Health & Consumer Health

Knowledge Institute Course

Healthcare solutions are more valuable than ever. This course can help you understand key factors for investing in this sector.

September 22
1:30-3pm ET
Virtual

Boards & Governance Training

Knowledge Institute Course

Boards are vital to the success of early-stage companies. Learn the roles, responsibilities and processes in this course.

September 28
1-4pm ET
Virtual

Cap Tables and Term Sheets

Knowledge Institute Course

An overview of deal terms, the investment process and cap tables.

October 1
2-5pm ET
Virtual

Enterprise Services and Technology (B2B) Training

Knowledge Institute Course

Are B2B startups different from consumer startups? Yes. Learn our framework for evaluating investment opportunities in the Enterprise sector.

October 5
1-3pm ET
Virtual

Consumer Products & Applications Sector Training

Knowledge Institute Course

Consumer spending can be volatile. We can help you to engage with the consumer products sector wisely.

October 20
12-2pm ET
Virtual

Healthcare Sector Training - Devices & Diagnostics

Knowledge Institute Course

Healthcare solutions are more valuable than ever. This course can help you understand key factors for investing in this sector.

November 12
12-2pm ET
Virtual

Introduction to Angel Investing Training

Knowledge Institute Course

The future of investing is better with you in it. Join us to learn the work, the risks, and the rewards of angel investing.

November 23
12-2pm ET
Virtual

Healthcare Sector Training - Therapeutics

Knowledge Institute Course

The $8.45 trillion healthcare market is one of the most heavily regulated, rapidly growing, and exciting. We can help you navigate it.

December 1
1-2:30pm ET
Virtual

Introduction to Angel Investing Training

Knowledge Institute Course

The future of investing is better with you in it. Join us to learn the work, the risks, and the rewards of angel investing.

January 4
12-2pm ET
Virtual

FAQs About the Golden Seeds Knowledge Institute

The Golden Seeds Knowledge Institute offers nine structured courses covering the full scope of angel investing. Four core courses form the foundation of the curriculum: Introduction to Angel Investing, The Due Diligence Process, Cap Tables & Term Sheets, and Boards & Governance. Five additional sector training courses cover specialized investing frameworks for Consumer Products, Enterprise Services and Technology (B2B), and Health Care, including Devices & Diagnostics, Digital Health & Consumer Health, and Therapeutics. All courses are taught by Golden Seeds members with direct investment and sector experience.

The recommended starting point for investors new to angel investing is the Introduction to Angel Investing course. This course covers what Golden Seeds is, the risks and rewards of angel investing, and the investment process from deal flow through decision. After completing the introduction course, most investors proceed through the remaining core courses before selecting sector training relevant to the industries they want to invest in. All courses are offered virtually and are open to Golden Seeds members and non-members interested in early-stage investing.

All Knowledge Institute courses are taught by Golden Seeds members who are active angel investors with relevant sector and operational experience. This is a key distinction from general online investing courses: the instructors are not academics or content creators; they are active investors who apply the same frameworks they teach when evaluating real companies. The collaborative, discussion-based format allows participants to learn from both the curriculum and the experience of their fellow investors.

Yes, Knowledge Institute courses are open to Golden Seeds members and to non-members who are interested in early-stage investing. Non-members who register for a course may apply their registration payment to the Golden Seeds initiation fee if they join Golden Seeds within three months of taking the course. For current course availability and registration details, visit the upcoming training sessions listed on this page or email info@goldenseeds.com.

For Golden Seeds members, information on our upcoming training sessions, as well as registration information, can be found here. For additional information regarding the Golden Seeds Knowledge Institute, please email info@goldenseeds.com