As an angel investor, I used to track deal flow in a messy Google Doc — startup names, random notes, gut feelings. After missing one great deal because I couldn't compare it to my other leads, I built a structured template.
The Problem with Gut-Feel Investing
When you review 10+ startups per month, your memory fails. You forget why you passed on Company A, or you confuse metrics between two similar deals. A standardized scoring system prevents this.
The Framework: 7 Criteria
I score each deal on 7 dimensions (weighted):
- Market Size (TAM) — 25%
- Team Quality — 20%
- Product Traction — 20%
- Differentiation — 15%
- Business Model — 10%
- Capital Efficiency — 5%
- Timing — 5%
Total weighted score out of 100. Deals above 75 are 'Lead', 40-75 are 'Follow', below 40 are 'Pass'. Simple and repeatable.
How to Use This Yourself
I turned this framework into a Google Sheets template with automated formulas, dropdowns, and color coding. It includes 3 pre-filled examples so you can see it in action immediately.
You can grab the exact template I use here:
https://microtoolsb2b.gumroad.com/l/InvestmentThesisTemplate
It's $29 — less than one coffee with a founder who passes your screener. If you review at least 5 deals this year, it pays for itself in saved time.
Final Thoughts
The best investors don't rely on memory — they rely on systems. A good template lets you compare apples to apples and avoid emotional decisions. Give it a try on your next batch of pitches.
Keywords: angel investing template, startup evaluation, deal flow tracker, Google Sheets finance, investment scorecard
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