Session 1: Angel Investing Fundamentals and Evaluation
This first session of the Angel Investing Education Series sets the foundation for understanding how early-stage investing really works and how to confidently evaluate pre-seed and seed opportunities.
This series is proudly sponsored by Taft Law — a leading law firm with deep expertise supporting startups, venture funds, and high-growth tech. Taft is a premier full-service law firm and an AmLaw 100 firm with offices across the U.S. and over 1,000 attorneys.
Designed for both existing and aspiring angel investors, this session is led by Dima Shahin and breaks down the core principles, frameworks, and decision-making lenses used when backing startups at their earliest stages.
You will learn how angel investors fit into the startup ecosystem, how pre-seed and seed stages differ in expectations and risk, and what typically drives success or failure at this level.
The session also dives into the practical evaluation criteria angels use, including how to assess teams, problems, markets, traction, and founder execution risk when data is still limited.
The session will also introduce the Viaka Angels approach to angel investing, including how the network supports members with deal access, structure, and community-driven learning.
What we will cover:
Viaka Angels’ approach to angel investing and deal access
The role of angel investors in the startup ecosystem
Pre-seed vs seed: stage definitions and expectations
Typical causes of success and failure at early stage
Key evaluation criteria: team, problem, market, traction
Founder assessment and execution risk
Understanding market size and early demand signals
How to interpret traction when metrics are still emerging
Live Q&A
About Dima Shahin
Dima has spent the past 10 years working with startups, accelerators, venture capital firms, and U.S.-based funds of funds. She has supported more than 100 startups through acceleration programs, investment readiness, and growth strategy. Her work also includes advising ecosystem builders and corporate innovation teams driving entrepreneurship across emerging and global markets. Dima is also the London Chapter Lead at Viaka, a global angel network supporting MENA-linked founders and ecosystems.
Viaka is a global platform that scouts, invests in, and supports the growth of exceptional MENA-connected and diaspora founders, while convening a trusted community of founders, investors, and operators across North America, Europe, and the MENA region.
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