"Calculate your own runway," that's some of John Huston's advice to entrepreneurs. How is the economic meltdown affecting angel investors? John offers his perspectives and he should know; he's Chairman of the Angel Capital Association and founder of the Ohio TechAngels.

I catch John between sessions at the National Angel Annual Summit in Halifax; it was a timely event, bringing angel investors together from across Canada and the US. What's on everyone's mind? How will the down trend affect their member angel groups? How much will investing be curtailed in the short term? And what should a leader offer as advice to his members and the entrepreneurs already in the funding cycle?

John describes his system for determining his portfolio companies need for cash and likelihood of survivability; you'll hear him describe the categories he's fit these companies into.

Where did his motivations come from to start the TechAngels? He's a deal junky who flunked early retirement.
His fellow Ohio angels? "Our members are much more concerned about making more of a difference, than just more dollars."

Don't miss this: John offers some gems on how he builds trust with the entrepreneur then negotiates the all-important pre-money valuations. You'll want to borrow his technique!

Save the date: the ACA's Annual Summit is next April 15-17, 2009 in Atlanta

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