Archive: Pre-IPO Profits Update

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The Importance of Co-Investors

By Adam Sharp on July 21, 2020

As online angel investors, there’s an easy metric we can use when judging possible investments. If we pay attention to who else is investing in a startup’s round (also known as co-investors), we can learn a lot about the quality of the deal.  For example, if I see a deal where Sequoia or another top-tier VC firm is leading the round, I will often invest in it. At the very least, I take this as a…
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AngelList Access Funds Show Promise

By Adam Sharp on June 30, 2020

Let’s talk about AngelList Access funds. These funds allow you to make a single investment and get exposure to the hundreds of top startup deals that take place on AngelList. I wrote about them back in January. Now,…
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Traditionally, startup investors (VCs and angels) tended to do deals in person. It’s a slow and inefficient method. But it’s the way things have always been done. During this crisis, everyone has been forced to operate remotely. But from what I’m reading…
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Startup Investing in a Recession

By Adam Sharp on June 16, 2020

The U.S. stock markets are nearing all-time highs. But all is not well with the economy. A huge portion of small businesses are struggling to pay bills. Big corporations are faring better, but they have their own issues that need to be addressed — too much…
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How to Naturally Diversify Your Portfolio

By Adam Sharp on June 2, 2020

When it comes to startup investing, I am “industry agnostic.” In other words, I never invest in a deal just because it’s in a certain sector. Instead, I evaluate every deal individually. I look at the fundamentals, model, team and growth rate. This approach has naturally…
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How to Cope With a Lack of Startup Updates

By Adam Sharp on May 26, 2020

I was very excited when I first began online angel investing in 2014. I loved the concept. So I invested in 15 deals within just a few months on AngelList and FundersClub. I thought they were high quality picks. And I eagerly waited to see how they would do. But…
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Raise Your Personal Investment Bar

By Adam Sharp on May 19, 2020

As I mentioned last week, there’s been a significant decrease in the number of startup deals coming across my desk lately. On the bright side, though, the quality of deals on accredited sites like AngelList is much higher (on average) than I’ve ever seen. This is a common trend during…
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Startup Deal Flow Changing

By Adam Sharp on May 12, 2020

One of my favorite AngelList syndicate leaders recently wrote a note to all the members of his syndicate. He told us the volume of new deals he’s seeing is down about 90%. Many of the startup deals we’re seeing right now were arranged before the COVID-19 quarantines started. These deals…
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COVID-19 has disrupted life as we know it. And when we emerge from this crisis, there will be a new economic normal. Adam Sharp looks at what will change.
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Investing Outside of the Bay Area

By Adam Sharp on November 5, 2019

The Bay Area is losing its edge. Here’s where else you can find good startup deals.
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Angel Investing Online and Offline

By Adam Sharp on September 24, 2019

Online and offline angel investing both have their benefits. Here are some differences between the two and how to figure out which method is best for you.
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How Many Startup Investments Are Enough?

By Adam Sharp on September 3, 2019

Peter Thiel is one of the best startup investors of all time. But he’s wrong about one important aspect of startup investing.
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What to Look for in a Software as a Service Company

By Adam Sharp on August 13, 2019

Software as a service companies are some of the hottest investments around. Here’s how to find standout companies in the sector.
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Why Pre-IPO Investors Are in a Sweet Spot

By Adam Sharp on August 6, 2019

It’s a good time to be a pre-IPO investor and to invest in a multi-company fund. Here’s why.