How a Boring Business of Contact Directory Makes $9,920 Per Month?

You can start a similar directory too!!

You’ve probably heard it a million times — “Data is the new gold.”

Well, today, we’re dissecting a story that brings this phrase to life in the most unexpected way.

It is a boring business of collecting data, which is btw already available for free online, making $9,920 a month.

So, What is this business about? Hear me out.

You’ve got a great idea for a startup. You’re excited, you’re ready to change the world, but there’s just one problem: you need funding, and finding the right investors feels like looking for a needle in a haystack.

That’s where Angel Match steps in, a lifesaver for startups on the hunt for capital, boasting a massive directory of over 100,000 Angels and VCs.

But how did this all start? And how does a business focused solely on data manage to not only survive but thrive and support the startup ecosystem? Stick around, because this is a story you don’t want to miss.

How Did This All Start?

Rashid Khasanov, the guy behind Angel Match, was once in the same boat as many startup owners.

He was trying to get his Fintech startup, “Richie”, off the ground. But, finding investors? That was tough.

He didn’t know anyone who could introduce him to the big players in the investment world.

Rashid had to start from scratch. He sent cold emails, lots of them. And guess what? It worked!

He got to talk to some really important people from big venture capital firms. It was a hard road, but it showed him something important.

Finding the right investors is super tough, especially when you don’t know where to start.

That’s when the lightbulb went off. Rashid thought,

What if there was an easier way to find investors?

He knew he wasn’t the only one struggling. And that’s how Angel Match was born.

It was all about making life easier for startups looking for that golden opportunity to connect with the right investors.

How Did He Build Platform From Scratch?

Rashid knew what he wanted to do, but the “how” was a big question.

The first step? Gathering data. Tons of it.

He needed names, profiles, investment interests — you name it.

Rashid turned into a detective, hunting down every piece of info he could find on potential investors.

But it wasn’t just about collecting names. He wanted to make sure that startups could find their perfect match. So, he sorted these investors by their interests, past investments, and even the companies they were associated with.

It was like creating a dating profile, but for businesses and investors.

Then came the tech part. Rashid teamed up with a tech wizard, someone who could take all this data and turn it into a user-friendly platform.

They worked day and night, coding, testing, and tweaking. They wanted to make sure that when someone used Angel Match, it felt like magic.

Slowly but surely, Angel Match came to life. In February 2019 they launched it on Product Hunt.

How Much Is The Monthly Revenue?

Yeah, you saw it right, it’s $9,920 per month and growing steadily.

Feb is showing a downward trend because, at the time of the screenshot, we’re halfway through February hence it’s not a full month report.

What Were The Marketing Strategies To Get Customers?

Getting the word out about Angel Match was crucial. Rashid knew he had to be smart about it.

First up, content. Rashid started sharing stories. Not just any stories, but the kind that hit home for startup founders.

He talked about the struggles, the late nights, and the small wins that feel like big victories. His blog became a go-to spot for insights on raising capital.

One of the first Reddit posts from Rashid himself 👉 post

Then, he tapped into SEO.

Rashid and his team crafted articles like “Top Angel Investors in Major US Cities.” These weren’t just fluff pieces.

They were packed with value, helping Angel Match climb up the search engine ranks. Suddenly, when folks were hunting for investment tips, Angel Match was there, ready to help.

But Rashid didn’t stop there. He knew the power of free tools. So, he launched gems like the Elevator Pitch Generator and the Investor AI Email Generator.

These weren’t just gimmicks. They were genuinely useful, and best of all, free. Startups flocked to try them out, and while they were there, they’d discover the goldmine that is Angel Match.

Social media was another battlefield. Rashid used platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn not just to post, but to engage.

He joined conversations, shared advice, and built a community. Angel Match wasn’t just a faceless platform; it was a friend in the startup world.

Word of mouth played a big part too. Every startup that found success through Angel Match became a beacon, spreading the word. It was organic, genuine, and powerful.

Through these strategies, Angel Match grew. It wasn’t just about selling a product; it was about offering a lifeline to startups in need. And that message resonated, loud and clear.

How Does The Business Make Money?

Angel Match makes its money through subscriptions. It’s pretty straightforward. When you sign up, you get access to this massive database of investors.

There are different levels of access you can get, depending on what you’re willing to pay.

Think of it like a gym membership. The more you pay, the more perks you get.

In Angel Match’s case, the perks are access to more detailed information about investors, like their contact details and investment history.

But here’s the cool part. Rashid and his team didn’t just stop at offering database access. They went a step further. They added tools that are super helpful for startups, like the ability to send emails to investors right through the platform.

It’s like having a personal assistant who helps you reach out to the big guns in the investment world.

And there’s more. They’re working on this new thing called a CRM system. It’s designed to make managing your fundraising efforts a breeze.

You can keep track of who you’ve talked to, set reminders, and even drag and drop investors into different stages of your fundraising pipeline.

All these features together make Angel Match not just a database, but a full-on fundraising toolkit. And that’s what startups are paying for.

The chance to not just find investors but to manage the whole fundraising journey in a more organized, less hair-pulling way.

Future Goals For The Company

Angel Match is on a roll, and they’re not stopping anytime soon. In the last 10 months alone, they’ve grown by a whopping 340%.

That’s right, their annual recurring revenue (ARR) has hit the $100k mark. But here’s the kicker: they’re setting their sights even higher. They’re aiming to 10x that revenue and reach a cool $1M ARR.

How, you ask? Enter their latest brainchild: a CRM designed specifically for fundraising.

The team at Angel Match has zeroed in on three killer features to kick things off. First up, the investor dashboard.

It’s like mission control for your fundraising efforts, giving you a bird’s eye view of potential investors.

Next, they’re making communication a breeze with the ‘Send emails to investors’ functionality. No more juggling different platforms or losing track of conversations. Everything you need to reach out and follow up is right there in the app.

And here’s the real gem: a drag-and-drop type of fundraising pipeline. Imagine being able to visually map out your fundraising journey, moving potential investors along as you progress. It’s going to make staying organized and focused so much easier.

Where Can You Go To Learn More About The Business?

There are plenty of places you can go.

The first stop is their website. It’s not just a portal to their services, but it’s packed with info about what they do and how they can help your startup.

Then, there’s the Angel Match blog. It’s a goldmine of articles on raising capital, success stories, and tips on navigating the investor world. It’s like a mini-course in fundraising all by itself.

And don’t forget social media. Angel Match is active on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. Following them there is a great way to stay updated on new tools, features, and insights they share. It’s also a good spot to engage directly with the team, ask questions, or share your own startup journey.

For the tech-savvy, checking out their latest tools like the Elevator Pitch Generator or the Investor AI Email Generator on their website can give you a hands-on feel of the practical value Angel Match offers.

Lastly, if you’re all about hearing from the users themselves, look up reviews or user stories. Hearing how Angel Match has helped other startups can give you a real sense of what to expect and how it might benefit your own fundraising efforts.

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