Unlock the art and science of raising capital from accredited investors. Angela Hwang of RevGen Consulting joins the show to share proven frameworks for finding, nurturing, and closing sophisticated investors—without burning bridges or violating SEC rules.
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Learn how to launch your own private fund or real estate syndication with Fund Playbook. In each episode, Jimmy Atkinson shares insights on syndicating deals, raising capital, and entrepreneurship.
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Episode Summary
In this engaging Fund Playbook livestream, Jimmy Atkinson welcomes Angela Hwang, founder of RevGen Consulting, for an in-depth conversation on raising capital from accredited investors. The discussion offers actionable strategies, marketing advice, and regulatory tips for fund managers looking to scale their capital-raising efforts.
Why Accredited Investor Marketing Requires Strategy
Angela opens the conversation by emphasizing that effective capital raising isn’t simply about casting a wide advertising net. With over 24 million accredited investors in the U.S., fund managers must define their ideal investor persona based on geography, demographics, and investment goals. She encourages sponsors to begin with strategic clarity rather than reactive marketing spend.
Angela also stresses that many fund managers forget to allocate a marketing budget. While legal, fund structure, and team building get top billing, marketing is often treated as an afterthought—despite being critical to capital raising success.
Get Started By Building A Marketing Foundation
Angela recommends working with a generalist or fractional CMO before investing heavily in ads or building out a team. A consultant can help new fund managers set capital raising milestones and realistic budgets for the first three to six months. Equally important, Angela notes, is ensuring that messaging aligns across all platforms—from pitch decks to websites.
Who Is Angela Hwang?
Angela shares her professional journey from legal and brokerage marketing into founding RevGen Consulting. Her resume includes being the first Director of Marketing at Urban Catalyst, where her team raised nearly $200 million in two years from accredited investors. She credits a diversified strategy that went beyond digital ads—incorporating PR, organic content, thought leadership, and external partnerships.
Grassroots Marketing & Lead Gen Best Practices
Responding to audience questions, Angela warns against buying cold lead lists. She advocates for a grassroots content approach, positioning yourself as a thought leader via blog posts, webinars, short videos, and social posts. Value-added content, she says, attracts higher-quality leads and builds trust over time.
Jimmy adds that his own marketing strategy centers around creating one comprehensive lead magnet (e.g., a beginner’s guide), then driving paid traffic to that landing page. He emphasizes the long-term value of building an email list and nurturing that audience through consistent, helpful content.
Understanding 506(c) vs. 506(b)
The conversation shifts into legal territory when a viewer asks about Reg D fundraising structures. Jimmy explains the difference between 506(b), which prohibits general solicitation, and 506(c), which allows it but requires investor accreditation to be verified.
Angela concurs that 506(c) offers much more freedom for marketing but cautions fund managers not to make definitive or exaggerated claims. She suggests using qualifying language (“potentially,” “may,” etc.) and ensuring consistency across all materials.
What To Do If You’re Still Years Away From Raising Capital
A young professional named Luke asks what he should be doing now if he doesn’t plan to raise capital for another few years. Angela advises building a strong online presence—posting short-form content on trending platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok—and aligning with the preferences of millennial and Gen Z investors.
Jimmy adds that building a track record is equally important: participate in deals, even at a junior GP level, and build an email list now so you can start nurturing an audience early.
Tech Stack Recommendations
Angela and Jimmy recommend tools like:
- Mailchimp or HubSpot for email list management
- Squarespace or Wix for website building (Jimmy prefers WordPress for advanced users)
Angela notes that you don’t need to spend heavily at the beginning; start small and scale intentionally.
Non-Real Estate Funds & Sector Agnostic Advice
Angela confirms that her content-first strategy applies equally well to venture capital and other fund types. The key, regardless of asset class, is articulating your value clearly and consistently—and building a digital profile that invites trust.
Jimmy adds that while tools like Juniper Square are often used in real estate, venture funds might consider AngelList to manage early-stage investor relationships.
Budgeting for Marketing
Angela advises budgeting 3% to 10% of your total capital raise for marketing. Lower percentages are acceptable for slower, organic growth; aggressive timeframes may warrant spending more. Jimmy notes that promising quick results or guaranteed returns is a red flag.
A $10 million fundraise, for example, may require a marketing budget of $300,000–$500,000, depending on your runway and expectations.
Final Advice for Emerging Managers
Angela closes by emphasizing that marketing is about trust-building, not just visibility. She reminds fund managers that investors are buying into the team just as much as the deal. Jimmy echoes this sentiment, encouraging founders to post real bios and headshots on their website—avoid generic language and stock photos.