How do I get started if...
... I don't have a lot of money?
Crowd-equity platforms allow you to invest in pre-screened start-ups with a small budget
- Companisto (Germany) - starts at 250€/investment
- 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
Angel syndicates are organized networks to exchange and invest in deals with peers
... I want access to the best deals out there?
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
Keep in mind that a brand is an authentic idenfication of yourself
Make sure you
Further reads:
