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Tackling the basics: money & dealflow

How do I get started if...

... I don't have a lot of money?

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Crowd-equity platforms allow you to invest in pre-screened start-ups with a small budget

Companisto (Germany) - starts at 250€/investment

Seeking Industry Transparency, Companisto Publishes Its Equity Crowdfunding Performance Data, Focusing on Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Companisto, the leading equity crowdfunding platform in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with an annual financing volume of €12 million, has published information on the business development of start-ups financed through its platform for the first time.

www.crowdfundinsider.com

Seeking Industry Transparency, Companisto Publishes Its Equity Crowdfunding Performance Data, Focusing on Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Data on companisto's crowdfunding performance

Seedmatch (Germany) - starts at 500€/investment

"Successful" opportunities on Seedmatch were:

Volocopter - Urban Air Mobility
Veganz - Vegan food products

... I have money but don't know where to find companies?

Source deals yourself via

Online databases such as Tracxn, Crunchbase or Start-updetector
Early-stage start-up programs such as XPLORE

Leverage & build networks via

LinkedIn by connecting with other Angel Investors
Joining an Angel syndicate such as BayStartUp

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Angel syndicates are organized networks to exchange and invest in deals with peers

... I want access to the best deals out there?

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Access is the ability to join a deal when you want and to the terms you want

Access is closely related to having a good reputation and being perceived as helpful. Promising founders are looking for smart money: they have the privilege to choose from the most successful investors that they wouldn't be able to win as employees. To be considered as a valuable investor in the best deals, you need to work for it.

Here are 5 approaches on how to start building access by building a brand.

Get inspired on how to provide something profound and valuable to founders by looking at

Andreessen Horowtiz founder friendly fund (helpful even though this is not an Angel but a VC!)
Naval Ravikant's infrastructure for foudners
Paul Grahams valuable essays

... I don't know how to build a brand?

To build a brand successfully, you need to identify how you can add value to founders and provide value. This boils down to two things:

key insights in an area to provide something profound
a unique way of sharing your insights to receive attention

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Keep in mind that a brand is an authentic idenfication of yourself

Make sure you

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Further reads:

How to be an angel investor, Part 2

Naval and I recently put together a talk for AngelConf, a conference for new angel investors. The conference was organized by Y Combinator and included a great group of notable angels like Ron Conway. According to the AngelConf website, "Investing in startups seems mysterious and difficult. How much are you supposed to invest?

venturehacks.com