Angels Helping Kiwi Founders

ADI.Clinic is a simple format. Founders book 20 minutes online to talk to a bunch of angel investors about their idea or startup. They will listen and give honest feedback, maybe suggest next steps, or make connections with others who may be able to help. The sessions are free format, more like a chat, not about pitching.

This post covers the early days, our initial traction, some interesting reactions, branding, the mentors, virtual and physical presence, and concludes with some founder testimonials and the path to funding.

The Early Days

Back in 2013, David Russel, Nick Shewring and I decided that not enough was being done to help startups get off the ground and steer a healthy course on their challenging journey towards growth and overseas markets. Cut a long story short, David and I put in time and Nick promptly threw in some free space at BizDojo.

Here the post on the BizDojo blog announcing our first ?ngelic ?rop ?n.

The Initial Traction

The response was overwhelming, coming initially only from Dojo residents and other founders in the startup ecosystem who already knew David and me from before. We had expected only the occasional angelic chat and thought we'd mostly hang out at the Dojo, in those days in the Ironbank Building, and make good use of free office, coffee, and WiFi. NOT SO. From June 2013 onwards, David and I would, every Thursday afternoon, play a double act, not partners in crime, not dragons to dread, but angels with advice. From that first Thursday onwards, we have had four to six booked sessions most weeks, except of course during the Xmas break.

Interesting Reactions

Massey's ecentre very quickly started sending their founders along to get another perspective from the guys at the Angelic Drop In. That was incredibly encouraging because until then we had had virtually no contact with the entrepreneurs from the ecentre. David and I were Ice Angels at the time and figured that our IA-hat had gotten in the way. So when the IA manager of the ICEHOUSE saw our traction and invited us to run this under the ICEHOUSE brand, we kindly declined.

Because ADI is independent and is not looking to generate consulting or other income from the advice referrals come from a wide range of entrepreneurial programs such as ecentre, ICEHOUSE, Microsoft Innovation Challenge, Lightning Lab, SODA, Startup Weekend, Unitec, or Velocity (formerly Spark). Referrals also come from companies such as ASB, Deloitte, Everedge IP, EY, KPMG, PwC, or Three Sixty Capital Partners.

Branding by an Amateur

Bootstrapping not just for startups, it is also our modus operandi. Hence, the self-made signs and appropriated graphics. There was a lot of debate about the extremely masculine and somewhat criminal looking angel. Although it fitted with our philosophy to be brutally honest with founders, we later softened that image. We did that when we aligned the ADI logo with the logo of Flying Kiwi Angels, the angel group that we eventually formed in 2014 together with 10 other hands-on angel investors.

Staffing for Advice

David Russell took a job with NZTE in San Francisco almost exactly at the first anniversary. He has carried on joining in as a mentor by Google Hangout from time to time. Thankfully, the void he left in NZ has been filled by many very competent mentors so that we can have from one to four mentors on any given day. More mentors is more fun for the mentors and offers founders different perspectives.

A big thank you to (hopefully most of) the mentors of ADI: Karl von Randow, Claudia Wyss, Jai Somaratne, Lachlan Sloan, Kate Turska, Daniel Burrill, Josh Comrie, Tim Warren, James Hoseason, Rodger Howie, John Newton, Arron Patterson, Simeon Burnett, Christine Reeve, Dale Shaw, Glen Harris,  Paul Trotter, Sanjay Ram, Stu Christie, Charlie James, Katheren Leitner.

Virtual and Physical Presence

Web Presence

Initially, ADI had no web presence other than through the Dojo's blog, then www.FlyingKiwiAngels.biz/happy2help, then www.fka.nz/happy2help and then www.ADI.Clinic. The kind term for this is pivoting or evolving.

Note: We had accumulated considerable feedback from founders on our LinkedIn company page that was linked back to www.FlyingKiwiAngels.biz. Unfortunately, all that was lost when LinkedIn discontinued that services. Now it's word of mouth!

Booking and Scheduling of Sessions

Early on, Ryan Baker from Timely helped as by sponsoring our FREE service with his online booking system that has allowed us to operate virtually no admin overhead. Timely has since gone from strength to strength, and we meet many professionals who are now using the system and love it as much as we do. Timely has undoubtedly helped to give our virtual operation a more professional and substantial touch.

Four simple steps from the BOOK YOUR FREE SESSION NOW button @ ADI.Clinic is all it takes for founders to make an appointment. They don't waste time waiting, we can finish up on time in the evening and have contact details to follow-up. Late cancellations or no-shows can be frustrating, but we think keeping it FREE is right.

Virtual Sessions

Soon our reputation was spreading beyond the BizDojo on Auckland's K-Rd. It was humbling to see that many founders from out of town travelled to see us at ADI.

So we promptly decided to also run the sessions via video conference for those who cannot easily come for a face2face. This has enabled us to help founders up and down the country.

More Locations

However, virtual sessions are not that satisfactory for founders nor mentors. Great for one-on-one, but often we have multiple co-founders and several mentors in attendance.

As FKA have attracted more and more angels from all over NZ, it has now become possible in 2016 to launch an ADI.Clinic in the far North and in the South.

Martin Knoche is running the sessions in Whangarei, and Charlie James the Queenstown sessions. Both initially only once a month, but then gradually increasing the frequency as demand dictates.

Only three days since posting this the above section is out of date. Things move fast at FKA!

STOP PRESS ?? ADI.Clini also coming to the capital. Ian Clarke, Tim Warren, and Anna Guenther will don their angel wings @ BizDojo Wellington.??

What some of the Founders Say

Amanda Judd, CEO of Kai ??

"It is my pleasure to recommend Rudi and the FKA team as an excellent springboard when starting a new venture. Having attended a number of ADI clinics, I found myself challenged, pushed, stretched in new and useful ways. Rudi has a strong yet subtle, supportive approach, and will go over and above to provide opportunities for founders to develop. From my observation, the ADI clinics are just the tip of the iceberg; this team is redesigning the entire early stage experience, generating more value for founders and investors alike throughout the process. Their push for excellence, approachability, authenticity and a good dose of wit make them the most interesting angels I've met. And I couldn't recommend a drop-in with them more."

Brad McEvoy, Cofounder Kademi??

"It's been great to drop in and chat to the FK guys. They're really helpful and freely offered insightful advice without the heavy weight processes and commitments demanded by some others in the startup community. Thanks!"

Wayne Hall, CEO ARC Cloud Software ?

"Rudi and David have been meeting us regularly over the last three months. Their international and corporate experience have allowed them to give us solid advice on what to focus on and the value proposition we are trying to develop for our different customer segments."

Vicor Yuen, CEO Aura ?

"Thanks for your time Rudi and Heath. In the short session we had, time was focused on how they could provide as much help as possible. You have opened up new doors with introductions as well as presented a great structure for learning and development with peers. Definitely, recommend dropping in!"

Thomas Harding, CEO Mish Guru ??

"Thanks guys for another brilliant session. 20 minutes always goes too quickly but you manage to add an incredible amount of value in that short time. Looking forward to the next one."

The Big Question about Funding ??

ADI is a great place for founders and angel investors to meet and build rapport with no pressure. In many cases, this can lead to an ongoing coaching relationship. The aim is to help the startup grow the business, and if there is clear scaling potential then the coach may want to invest. At this point, he or she would enlist the collective wisdom of the Flying Kiwi Angels. Bring them to pitch to the group to then help with due diligence and raising the necessary funds.

? ? ?

Rudi2Wings ?? always happy2help ??

?? Startup? just book a slot at www.ADI.Clinic

?? Corporate? just LinkedIn message or email [email protected]

?? Become an Angel/Mentor? just email [email protected]