Angel Challenge choices the best investors and the best startups to participate in the challenge. With the challenge, they want to create a stronger startup scene, so that startups will learn how to pitch and investors will learn what to look for. The first phases of the challenge are arranged locally in Stavanger, Trondheim or Oslo.

Experience

Angel Challenge started up in 2012 and they consider themselves as a part of a startup activity network. Their approach to help startups differs a bit from other challenges, as the investors and the startups are learning how the game works together.

How much do they invest?

The startup to win the challenge wins 1.000.000 NOK that is invested in the company. In addition to this Angel Challenge invest training hours, courses, networking, and social events throughout the different steps of the competition.

How do they work?

The evaluation process is divided into 3 phases. The first one is applying. Every applying startup is studied by the investors and organizers, but only 20 startups are invited to meet the investors. In phase 2 the 20 startups are invited to participate in one day of mentoring and feedback, and a two-day pitching session. After this day 20 will become 5 and they will continue to the third phase. Here you will for 5 evenings meet with the investors, first in plenum to learn about investing, and then in groups where 2-5 investors give you their full attention for a few hours. Phase 4 is the finale and one of the 5 startups will win 1.000.000 NOK.

This makes a difference to them

They look for a certain set of qualities in the participants and their business:

• There is a dedicated team
• Registered company
• Some level of concept validation
• An existing Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• Maximum a few years old company
• Have time to participate in all the workshops in the program

Key People

Thomas Berglund – CoFounder, Partner, and Chairman
Thomas’ aim with Angel Challenge is to educate private investors to become more professional when investing in startups. He holds a master of management and marketing communications from BI. He has co-founded several businesses, as well as invested through his own company Ocular.
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Knut Wien – CEO
Knut is an energetic and ambitious entrepreneur. He has his academic background from product development & production from NTNU. During this time he co-founded social webpage. He has been project manager for the Angel Challenge and now he serves as CEO.
LinkedIn