Christopher Mirabile, Super Angel Investor - "Angel with a Plan" - Episode 12

04/12/17 • 46 min

Christopher Mirabile is an angel with a plan. This super angel wants to make angel investing more professional and methodical. He comes to this aspiration by way of being a consultant, a corporate lawyer and a CFO of a successful tech company. He is co-managing director of Launchpad Venture Group and sits on numerous boards. He has co-founded Seraf, a platform for tracking angel investments and helping angels become better informed. He is an engaging and thought-provoking interlocutor. Do not miss this energetic interview which includes the following topics:

Christopher Mirabile Bio
From English Major to Junior Management Consultant and, Eventually, a Corporate Lawyer
Law Firm to Tech Company, First as Chief Counsel, Ultimately as CFO Taking the Company Public
Turbulent IPO Leads to Decision to Become an Investor Rather Than an Operator
What Christopher Mirabile Looks for in a Startup
Christopher Mirabile’s Favorite Pivots: Pixability, Powerhouse Dynamics and Vela Systems
Christopher Mirabile’s Informative Columns and Posts
Boston Has the Best Ecosystem for Angel Investing: “I've seen a lot of angel investing, and, as far as I'm concerned, there's no city in the world I would rather invest in than Boston”.
The Angel Treaty – Angel Syndication – Collaborative Culture of Angel Investing
Christopher Mirabile on the Value of a Board to an Early-Stage Company
“I'm to the point now where if I run into a team that I otherwise like and I get any sense of hesitancy about building a board, that's a huge red flag for me”.

Episode Transcript with Subject Headings Available at:

Link to Angel Invest Boston Podcast Episode Pages

Christopher Mirabile Bio
From English Major to Junior Management Consultant and, Eventually, a Corporate Lawyer
Law Firm to Tech Company, First as Chief Counsel, Ultimately as CFO Taking the Company Public
Turbulent IPO Leads to Decision to Become an Investor Rather Than an Operator
What Christopher Mirabile Looks for in a Startup
Christopher Mirabile’s Favorite Pivots: Pixability, Powerhouse Dynamics and Vela Systems
Christopher Mirabile’s Informative Columns and Posts
Boston Has the Best Ecosystem for Angel Investing: “I've seen a lot of angel investing, and, as far as I'm concerned, there's no city in the world I would rather invest in than Boston”.
The Angel Treaty – Angel Syndication – Collaborative Culture of Angel Investing
Christopher Mirabile on the Value of a Board to an Early-Stage Company
“I'm to the point now where if I run into a team that I otherwise like and I get any sense of hesitancy about building a board, that's a huge red flag for me”.

Episode Transcript with Subject Headings Available at:

Link to Angel Invest Boston Podcast Episode Pages

Previous Episode

Peter Fasse. Patent Attorney & Angel Investor - "Patents in His Blood" - Episode 11

Peter Fasse has patents in his blood. He comes from a family of patent attorneys. He is a highly respected partner at Fish & Richardson, the storied Boston-based (now global) firm that represented Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers. Peter’s work continues that tradition by representing some of the leading technological innovators of today. Peter also invests as an angel in technology companies. In this practical and accessible conversation he revealed valuable insights and resources for founders and investors in technology companies. He also relayed some interesting and instructive stories of intellectual property success and calamity.

Among the topics covered were:

Peter Fasse Bio
Young Cornell Grad in Textiles & Fabrics Becomes Patent Office Examiner
Peter Fasse’s Practice
In What Areas Is it Important to Have Patents and Why?
Software Patents, Why Have Them and Why Not?
Supreme Court Taking Harsh Views on Patents
Patent Attorney Horror Stories – Theft, Suicide, Rogue Wave, Bear Mauling & Hasty Firing
How Institutions Can Claim Intellectual Property of Employees
Freedom to Operate – Should Be a Big Concern for Tech Startup Founders & Investors
“There's a common misconception that if you have a patent on something, that it allows you to practice and commercialize that invention, but that's not true.”
Different Levels of Freedom to Operate Analysis
Two Extreme Freedom to Operate Cases & Outcomes
Strong IP Position a Vital Ingredient in Sale of Tech Startups
Mass Tech Transfer Center (MTTC) Is a Great Resource for Technology Startups
Transcytos & SQZ Biotech
Most Patents Are Not Commercially Viable, But Fish & Richardson Has a Special Package for Highly Promising Startups – Fish Steps
Unsolicited Client Testimonial for Peter Fasse!
Why Investing Through a Vehicle Rather than Directly Can Make Sense
Trade Secrets – Formula for Coca Cola
Trademarks – Frequently Overlooked
Trouble with Chinese Partners – Capital Controls & Theft of Intellectual Property

Next Episode

Arrigo Bodda, Executive & Angel Investor - "European Angel" - Episode 13

Growing up in Northern Italy, Arrigo Bodda dreamed of becoming an architect. He chose instead to study law, a handy pre-requisite for a career in human resources in a country where staffing involves a lot of legal work. His corporate career neatly coincided with the emergence of the European Union, a phenomenon that deeply influenced his work and life. After much success in the executive suites of global enterprises, Arrigo now has the opportunity to pursue his passion for design and architecture as an angel investor with Walnut Venture Associates and as an entrepreneur.

In this lighthearted interview, Arrigo shares some of the valuable wisdom gained in navigating large multinational enterprises across cultures and across disciplines. He offers valuable suggestions for founders of startups seeking to do business with multinational companies. He also provides an appealing model of finding the right balance between following your passions and making concessions to reality.

Topics discussed in this podcast include:

Arrigo Bodda Bio
Living & Working in Europe vs. in the United States
The Secrets of Successful Cross-cultural Relations in the Workplace
How Arrigo Bodda found His Career Path – Deep Wisdom on Career Development from an HR Specialist
“The suggestion that I have for everyone that is listening now, and that they are thinking where I should make my first move, my recommendation is make your first move in a place where the people around you are better than you.”
European Union 2.0
Tips for Startups Navigating Huge Multinationals
The Value of an MBA from IMD
Starting a Company in Thailand
What Kind of Companies Arrigo Bodda Likes to Invest In
What Does Arrigo Bodda Look for in a Founding Team?
Don’t Invest in Startups Alone – Join a Group, It will Save you Money & Be More Fun than Investing Alone