An angel investor or angel (also known as a business angel or informal investor) is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. New start-up companies often turn to the private equity market for seed money because the formal equity market is reluctant to fund risky undertakings. In addition to their willingness to invest in a start-up, angel investors may bring other assets to the partnership. They are often a source of encouragement; they may be mentors in how best to guide a new business through the start-up phase and they are often willing to do this while staying out of the day-to-day management of the business.
Term sheet is a non-binding agreement setting forth the basic terms and conditions under which an investment will be made.