Archive: amazon

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Angel Insider: Why Investors Can’t Miss CES

By Early Investing on December 6, 2022

CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) is the biggest tech event in the world. More than 2,000 exhibitors and more than 150 countries, territories and regions will be represented at it in 2023. It will cover every aspect of the tech sector: 3D printing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, wearables, gaming, robotics and far more. Big names like Amazon, Google and Microsoft will be there as well as plucky young startups. In short, it’s the…
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Angel Insider: How to Invest in Web3

By Early Investing on October 4, 2022

Web3 is the vision for a new version of the internet that’s built on decentralization, blockchain technology and token-based economics. A key part of Web3 will be the metaverse — a virtual world that often incorporates elements of virtual or augmented reality. And people will own their data. …

Why Competition Is Critical for Startup Investors

By Vin Narayanan on September 7, 2022

I had a chance to play poker with some founders a few weeks ago at LA Tech Week. I mostly kept my mouth shut at the table. Between the game and flowing drinks, the founders were in a chatty mood. And I didn’t want to interrupt the flow.
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Crypto Insider: Shopify Explores NFTs

By Early Investing on July 18, 2022

Shopify is expanding into NFTs. The e-commerce platform — which allows retailers to sell their products directly to consumers — recently launched around 100 new features, including contactless payments, crypto payments and “tokengated commerce.”  According to TechCrunch, Shopify’s tokengated commerce uses NFTs to “‘reward true fans…

Startup Investing and Impact Investing Go Hand in Hand

By Andy Gordon on February 16, 2022

I don’t have many hard-and-fast rules as an investor. But one I follow to the letter.  I don’t invest in jerks. I have my own ideas of how to put that into practice.  When I’m looking at a public stock company, I…

Look Beyond Big Tech Investments

By Allison Brickell on October 13, 2021

Last Monday, Facebook experienced an outage that lasted for about six hours. Users couldn’t access Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Whatsapp or OculusVR.  The effects were felt across the world. Suddenly, everyone who relied on Facebook or WhatsApp for communication was left in a lurch. Even…

How Congress Is Trying to Regulate Big Tech

By Vin Narayanan on June 30, 2021

Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook and Microsoft are under assault. If Congress succeeds in its all-out war against these tech giants, you will have to rethink how you invest in tech startups. If you’re surprised by this news, I don’t blame you. The…
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Startup Insider: Why Startups Shouldn’t Fear Amazon

By Early Investing on June 21, 2021

It’s Amazon Prime Day, which means millions of people across the world are scanning Amazon’s marketplace for deals on everything from portable ice makers to dog DNA tests. This shopping holiday has historically generated massive sales. On Prime Day in 2020, third-party sellers on Amazon made more than…

E-Commerce Startups Have a Massive Opportunity

By Vin Narayanan on June 16, 2021

E-commerce feels like it’s everywhere. But the truth is that even during a pandemic, e-commerce accounted for less than 15% of total retail sales in the U.S. According to the United Nations,…
Like a huge portion of Americans, I use Amazon a LOT these days. And with a 50% market share, it absolutely dominates online sales in the country.  But lately I’m frustrated with it. I’ve bought a few items recently that were…

What to Do When a Startup Goes Public

By Andy Gordon on November 18, 2020

Every investor would love to have my dilemma. One of my First Stage Investor portfolio companies will be listing on a public stock market (also known as going public or IPO’ing) in a couple of months.  I first recommended this company back in 2016…

Facial Recognition Technology Is Raising Serious Issues

By Andy Gordon on September 11, 2019

Facial recognition technology is spreading like wildfire, including among U.S. law enforcement. Here’s why that’s troubling.
In this week’s Mailbag, the Early Investing team explores investing in new sectors and understanding why the Fed is lowering interest rates.

Three Ways Tiny Startups Can Beat Amazon

By Andy Gordon on September 4, 2019

Amazon is a retail giant. But small startups can find ways to compete. Here are three areas of retail where startups can chip away at Amazon’s armor.
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Revolut Offers Breakthrough Fractional Trading

By Vin Narayanan on August 19, 2019

Fractional trading shows just how much crypto’s influence on the investment world is growing.
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The First Stage Investor team is reviewing startup investing basics to get new investors up to speed. First up are time frame, liquidity and portfolio construction.