By Marat Abdurkhanov
Angel investors are becoming a powerful force in the formation of syndicate startup ecosystem, especially in emerging markets. By polling capital, skills and networks, they provide a real opportunity to increase the start of the initial phase-while the wide range of participants makes investment more accessible.
For the past decade, I have been a dynamic angel investor, globally and in my hometown Kazakhstan, funding startups. Given this, I allow some insights on how the angel's financing development affects the start -up ecosystem and local syndicate that can play an important role.
Angel investors on local start -up markets
After a difficult period, the global start -up ecosystem is slowly gaining balance. The fastest decline in 2023 when the venture capital was $ 285 billion – which is the lowest point since 2017. While there is still a strong recovery, the venture was financed by $ 113 billion in the first quarter of 2025 due to a $ 40 billion financing contract for the open.
In the misery of 2023, the early stages were the most affected. In emerging markets, the photo was different: local investors helped stabilize the ecosystem. In Turkey, about 60 % of the $ 497 million in venture deals came from domestic investors, mostly at the beginning of the seed phase. In Kazakhstan, local investors participated in 80 % of deals, going to seed round before 52 %.
Local business angels are very important for the startup ecosystem. They invest in startups in the early stages, often starting with small checks, starting $ 10,000. In 2023, business angels in Kazakhstan contributed 50 % more than 10 % more than all venture deals than traditional venture funds. It is highlighted how even a strong angel investor can run the network market growth during uncertainty.
A promoted angel investment environmental system construction
Most business angels are successful businessmen looking for new investment. Unlike venture investors, they do not take full time and often lack effective dealing experience. Syndicate – Angel investors' co -operation groups develop resources to fund Startup – can act as an ideal gateway to venture investment.
Syndicate works under the guidance of central investors. The lead indicates high potential startups, personally invests and invites others to participate-generally set a minimum investment limit to smooth this process. For example, at the MA -7 Angeles Club, I launched in Kazakhstan in 2024, the minimum check is $ 10,000.
The most effective example of the syndicate that creates its local investment scenes is our crowd of Israel. Despite the lack of funds in 2022, it emerged as the third most active player in the Israeli project transaction. The syndicate has provided a total investment of $ 250 million – an impressive achievement that has been fulfilled within just a decade since its formation.
Covade 19 and Lockdown significantly accelerated the global growth of investment syndicate. Today, these groups are providing results faster than ever. When I go on this journey myself, I am anxious to share my first key insight.
Key steps to make a promoted syndicate
The MA -7 Angeles Club has increased rapidly as more than 100 members, which has helped invest in more than $ 2 million within six months. Our syndicate has supported the journey of several standout startups such as panarers, Zeli, Zebra Ai and Hero.
Which factors in the emerging market like Central Asia advance investors' engagement and syndicate growth? These are my first insights:
- Strong leadership and reputation. At the MA -7 Angeles Club, every deal goes through a tough election, which is personally led by me. Members rely on the process because they know that each agreement has been carefully examined.
- Important personal investment. The term “skin in the game” means the syndicate lead in every contract investing its money. While most contributes less than 10 %, I commit 30 % -50 %. This level of personal risk boosts investors' confidence.
- User -friendly investment process. Most of the angel investors are busy business people, so the syndicate investment should be easy and transparent. We host video calls to review the beginning, explain financial matters and answer questions. With the US -based Sidcar platform, investors are registered once, complete the check and join future deals without extra paperwork.
Angel investment is not an immediate solution for capital shortage in Kazakhstan or other emerging markets. But it forms the backbone of the initial phase of financing and the gateway to large investment. More angels mean startups – and more opportunities for sharp ecosystem growth.
Murat Abdul Kharmanov is a venture investor and serial entrepreneur. In more than 30 years in Tech Business, he has made dozens of successful plans, and as a venture investor, he has invested in 52 modern start in his decade experience. Overall, it has invested about $ 25 million in startup and has had more than 10 successful costs. In 2024, Abdul Khatmanov created a systematic system for investment management and scaling and launched MA -7 ventures, which includes the MA -7 Self -Funding Rolling Fund, MA7 Angeles Club and MA -7 community.
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