Brian Nichols is the co-founder of Angel Squad, a community where you’ll learn how to angel invest and get a chance to invest as little as $1k into Hustle Fund's top performing early-stage startups

Most new angels think their job ends when they wire funds. It doesn't. The founders you back are going to need you, but exactly how much is where it gets complicated.

The Real Time Commitment Numbers

Let's talk data first. Experienced angel investors with five-plus years in the game spend an average of 10 to 15 hours per month across their entire portfolio. That breaks down to roughly 30 minutes to 2 hours per company monthly, depending on the stage and your involvement level.

Some angels go deeper. Board seats mean 5 to 10 hours monthly per company. Advisory roles typically require 2 to 4 hours. Passive angels who just write checks and show up for quarterly updates? Maybe 30 minutes every few months.

At Hustle Fund, we've invested in over 600 companies. Elizabeth Yin often says the most valuable thing she can offer founders isn't specific tactical advice but being there when things fall apart. That's not a 30-minute Zoom call. That's being the person they can text at 11pm when a co-founder walks out or a major customer churns.

Three Models That Actually Work

There's no single right answer, but three models tend to work well depending on your situation.

The first is what I call the Strategic Touch Points model. You schedule quarterly calls, respond to monthly updates, and make yourself available for specific asks like intros or deck reviews. This works if you have 10 to 20 companies in your portfolio and another full-time job. You're helpful but not hands-on.

Then there's the Deep Dive model. You pick three to five companies where you take board seats or advisory roles. You're in weekly syncs, helping with hiring, reviewing financials, sometimes even working on projects directly. This is what most former operators do because they miss building.

Finally, there's the Hybrid model that most successful angels eventually land on. You go deep with two to three companies and stay light with the rest of your portfolio. It's realistic. You can't be deeply involved with 20 startups unless that's literally your full-time job.

What Founders Actually Need

Founders don't always need more of your time. They need the right time.

A founder survey showed that almost half of entrepreneurs said their most valuable angel investors helped them raise their next round. Founders need network access more than they need your opinion on their color scheme.

Shiyan Koh, a partner at Hustle Fund, points out that being helpful doesn't mean being constantly available. It means showing up for the moments that matter. When they're fundraising, you make intros. When they're hiring, you review candidates. When they're pivoting, you help them think it through. The rest of the time? You let them build.

The Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake new angels make is overcorrecting in either direction. Some ghost their portfolio companies entirely, which makes founders feel abandoned and makes you useless. Others become helicopter investors, demanding weekly updates and questioning every decision, which is exhausting for everyone.

Another trap is thinking you need to add value constantly. You don't. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is get out of the way and let founders execute. As Eric Bahn from Hustle Fund says, investors who try to call the shots usually make things worse. You're not building the company. They are.

There's also the illusion that being helpful means always being positive. Bad angel investors only offer cheerleading. Good angels tell you when something isn't working, even when it's uncomfortable. Elizabeth Yin talks about this: the real value she adds is being honest about what she's seeing, even if it's not what founders want to hear.

Setting Boundaries That Work

If you're going to do this right, you need boundaries. Decide upfront how many companies you can realistically support. If you have a full-time job, maybe that's five to eight companies where you're engaged, not 25.

Be clear with founders about what they can expect from you. Some angels send a note after they invest outlining exactly how they prefer to communicate, how often they'll check in, and what kinds of requests they're best positioned to help with. It sets expectations and prevents resentment on both sides.

You also need to protect your own time. Batch your portfolio company calls on the same day each week. Set office hours where founders can book you for quick questions. Use async tools like Loom for feedback on pitch decks instead of always jumping on Zoom.

It’s also okay to step back from companies that aren't working. If a founder isn't responsive, if you fundamentally disagree with their direction, if the company has clearly lost momentum, you don't have to keep investing time. Your attention is finite. Spend it where it matters.

The Long Game

Angel investing is a long-term game. Most exits happen seven to 10 years after your initial investment. That means you're potentially supporting founders for a decade. Think about that before you write the check.

The good news is that time commitment usually decreases as companies mature. Early stage companies need more hand-holding. By Series B, they have real teams and don't need you calling every week. Your role shifts from tactical support to strategic intros and occasional advice.

At Hustle Fund, we've seen that the companies that do best are the ones where investors show up consistently but don't overstay their welcome. Founders appreciate investors who respond quickly to their asks, make thoughtful intros, and offer clear feedback. They don't appreciate investors who need constant updates, question every decision, or forget they exist until it's time to raise again.

If you're thinking about angel investing, ask yourself honestly how much time you can commit. It's better to do five companies well than 20 companies badly. And if you find the idea of supporting founders energizing rather than draining, that's a good sign you'll be a valuable investor.

Want to learn more about building a portfolio you can actually support? Angel Squad brings together investors who are figuring out this balance in real time, sharing what works and what doesn't without the usual venture capital theatrics.