Early companies mainly need customers, hires, and hard feedback. As an angel, aim to be useful without being heavy: respond to updates, make introductions, and help the CEO think. Board seats carry fiduciary duties and time commitments; at seed they’re uncommon for small checks. Advisory roles (with modest options) can formalize involvement without governance overhead. As traction grows and rounds professionalize, expect more formal governance and reporting.
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Calibrate to founder preference and your bandwidth. Over‑involved angels can slow teams; under‑involved angels add no value. Be clear up front about what you will and won’t do.