In recent years, angel investing — the practice of providing early-stage capital to startup companies in exchange for equity — has been glamorized by reality TV shows like Shark Tank and the rise of high-profile tech unicorns. The allure of turning a modest investment into life-changing wealth has captured the attention of middle-class Americans seeking new paths to financial independence.
However, beneath the promise of outsized returns lies a complex, high-risk asset class that may not be sui