Angel lnvestors -- Bless Them, Every One

Keywords for this post: Business plans for angel investors

In Utah, the man considered to be the top angel investor is Scott Frazier.

Frazier, a Utah native living in Salt Lake City, said he was surprised to be honored, but was grateful for the recognition. He said he has been investing in start-ups for 14 years since moving back to Utah from Minnesota, where he was a health-care company executive.

"Frankly, it's fairly hard to find a business to start yourself, so it's much easier to find somebody else that's got one that's got a great idea ... to just help them move it along.

Frazier works with about 30 companies, offering both cash and contacts -- two commodities that new companies desperately need. Even with his help, about half of his companies don't make it, a common event in early stage investing.

When talking with potential angel investors, recognize the huge risk you are asking them to take. Odds are that about 50% of their businesses will fail, just like those that Frazier sponsored. If it sounds like they are asking for too much equity or too much involvement, ask yourself where you might be without them.

Our hats go off to angel investors, every single one of them.