Author: Andy Gordon

I made my chops as an entrepreneur and investor with over 30 years of experience at building wealth for myself and others. I graduated from the London School of Economics a year after the bicentennial. By the way, this is the same school that produced 34 heads of state including John F. Kennedy… and another 18 Nobel Laureates…

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Gojek and Tokopedia Merger Creates Investment Opportunity

The merger of two major Asian companies this week barely made a ripple in the U.S. But it’s huge news in Asia — and even bigger news in Indonesia, where they’re based. The two companies merging, Gojek and Tokopedia, are fast-growing and ambitious. They’re both seeking an edge on their bigger rivals. And they’re both number two in their respective markets.  I’ve been following both Indonesian companies since their earliest days. Gojek was founded as a…

Buybacks Are Bad for Shareholders

By Andy Gordon on May 12, 2021

My old nemesis SoftBank was in the news today. Thanks to some big bets paying off in its $100 billion Vision Fund, it posted a record $46 billion profit for the last fiscal year. I’m not impressed. In fact, I’ve never been a big…
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Important Correction: DBG IPO a Down Round

By Andy Gordon on May 10, 2021

We missed out on a big piece of information in last Thursday’s update on DBG (Digital Brands Group). And it led to some bad math. At First Stage Investor, we own our mistakes. And we made a big one.
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Update: Big Things Are Happening for Digital Brands Group

By Andy Gordon on May 6, 2021

Note: This article contains incorrect information. Please read this correction piece instead. First Stage Investor sincerely apologizes for this mistake. DBG (Digital Brands Group) holds a unique distinction in the First Stage Investor portfolio. It’s the only company we’ve recommended three…

Don’t Count On More Explosive Growth in Remote Work

By Andy Gordon on May 5, 2021

I just returned to the office this week. It was a strange thing.  Before working at home during the past year, I spent most of my 40-year career in offices. And I’ve missed the water-cooler chats… the unstructured interaction with my fellow employees… going out to…

Cultured Meat Startups Are the Trend to Watch

By Andy Gordon on April 28, 2021

Heads up, meat lovers. Biden’s climate plan isn’t the biggest threat to the beef and chicken products you love so much. Neither is plant-based “fake meat.” The biggest threat to traditional meat is the “meat” being developed by new technologies right now.  Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.)…
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Invest in the Next Super Material

By Andy Gordon on April 26, 2021

DEAL DETAILS Startup: BNNano Security type: Common stock Round size: Up to $1.07 million under Reg. CF  Share price: $1.70 Valuation: $20,211,463 Minimum investment: $100.30 Investment portal:…
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14 Reason to Invest in the Startup Disrupting Beer and Liquor Sales

By Andy Gordon on April 15, 2021

Deal Details Startup: TapRm Security type: Crowd SAFE* Discount: 0% Valuation (cap): $22 million Minimum investment: $100.98 Where to invest: Republic Deadline: May 1, 2021 TapRm…
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New Pick: Invest in the Google for Videos

By Andy Gordon on April 8, 2021

Deal Details Startup: Vyrill Security type: Convertible Note Valuation (cap): $8 million  Minimum investment: $250 Where to invest: Wefunder Deadline: April 23, 2021 …

Why Founders Refuse VC Money

By Andy Gordon on March 31, 2021

Venture capital (VC) investing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Last week I talked about the many things that crowdfunding does that appeal to founders and investors alike. Today, I’d like to focus more on the VC side of investing. And why…
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A Brighter Future Through Startups

By Andy Gordon on March 25, 2021

I’ve been thinking a lot about the “big picture” and the future recently. I guess it’s because last week I welcomed my first grandchild into the world. I want Sammy to live a happy, meaningful life. And I worry that for many of our newest humans, that’s becoming…

What VC Gets Wrong About Crowdfunding

By Andy Gordon on March 24, 2021

A tech startup founder was bragging to me about his recent hires a couple of days ago. He found some outstanding people and said that the talent available in 2021 was off the charts.  But it wasn’t just luck or happenstance. The highly experienced people he…
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New Pick: Invest in Ending Opioid Addiction

By Andy Gordon on March 18, 2021

DEAL DETAILS Startup: Phoenix PharmaLabs Security type: Common stock Round size: Side-by-side raise – up to $1.07 million under Reg. CF  Share price: $1.00 Valuation: $26,790,283  Minimum investment: $99.00…

Crowdfunding is the Next Evolution of Startup Investing

By Andy Gordon on March 17, 2021

The tech sector is under attack. Lawsuits. Politicians. Regulators. They’re all gunning for the tech industry. But what about the venture capital firms that financed the industry’s growth?  These companies should also command our attention. Their money nurtured big tech companies in their early years. More…

The One Thing All Good Founders Have in Common

By Andy Gordon on March 10, 2021

Why do founders become founders? There are certainly easier paths to wealth. Like what I do. A good startup investor makes more than a great startup founder eight out of 10 times. I should know — I’ve done both. And I’ve made a lot more investing…
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New Pick: This Medtech Startup is Ahead of Its Time

By Andy Gordon on March 4, 2021

Deal Details Startup: InnaMed Security type: Future Equity Agreement (SAFE) Valuation (cap): $20 million (to increase to $25 million) Minimum investment: $100 Where to invest: Wefunder Deadline…