What Should I know About Private Investors?

There are certain things you ought to know about private investors.

1. They are just like you and me - the ordinary man or woman in the street
2. They tend to be older rather than younger (50+)
3. They have done well in their life and made their own money (and they don't want to throw it away!)
4. They may have a day-job in their own business or be very high up in very large businesses.
5. They all have horror-stories to tell; investments that went wrong, mistakes they made
6. They may be wealthy but you will never know how much they have.
7. They are mostly really nice people, willing to help
8. They often invest because they like you

Private Investors are totally different to lenders or VC's

A Private investor may have an emotional attachment to an investment.  A lender or VC is totally unemotional and will rigorously enforce deadlines and penalty clauses.