Archive: startup investing

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Angel Insider: Africa’s Red-Hot Startup Scene

By Early Investing on October 18, 2022

African startups are on fire right now. According to the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, venture capital deals on the continent reached $3.5 billion from January through June this year. That’s more than double the amount in the same period in 2021. If the current trend continues, fundraising will hit $7 billion this year — 35% more than the $5.2 billion raised in 2021. In this episode of Angel Insider, Vin Narayanan…
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A Different Kind of Due Diligence Process

By Vin Narayanan on October 11, 2022

In order to survive and thrive, human civilization needs water, food and energy. Everything else flows from these three things. That’s why as a startup investor, I keep a close eye on anything that’s changing or potentially disrupting one of these spaces. Investing early in game-changing innovations in…
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The first Ford car was sold on July 23, 1903 — a little before my time. Over the years, cars and trucks have become faster, sleeker and safer. But the vehicle my grandfather drove in the 1920s… the one my father drove in the 1940s… and what I…

A Truly Terrifying Tale of a Terrible Investment

By Allison Brickell on October 5, 2022

My friend Jason told me it was a great idea.  “He’s already got tons of regulars,” he said. “They love his drinks. And we would get shares at a discount because he knows my brother! He just needs some money to get this new place started.”…
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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. …
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Startup Insider: Air Travel Innovations Take Off

By Early Investing on October 3, 2022

In December 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first successful flight with a self-propelled craft. And while airplanes have become much more advanced since that first flight, their engines haven’t actually changed much since the 1960s.  That’s a big problem. Aviation emissions are one of…

The Early Investing Podcast: Adobe’s Pricey Figma Acquisition

By Early Investing on September 28, 2022

It’s a tale as old as time. A startup creates a great product, generating lots of sales and happy customers. A corporate behemoth tries to compete with the startup by launching its own version of the product. The corporate behemoth fails miserably and decides to buy the startup…
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Why You Need a Metaverse Startup in Your Portfolio

By Vin Narayanan on September 27, 2022

I recently recommended a metaverse play to our Crypto Asset Strategies members. I’m not sold on the metaverse. But I still believe gaining exposure to this space is critically important. Here’s an excerpt from that piece that explains my logic: VR and…
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Angel Insider: Invest in What You Know… or Not

By Early Investing on September 20, 2022

“Invest in what you know.” It’s a simple concept. It seems safe. And hey, Warren Buffett stands by it. So it must be good advice, right? But there are no guarantees in investing — even when you stick to products and business models that…
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20/20 GeneSystems has been busy. We first recommended the company in December 2017 when we learned about its incredible cancer detection technology. 20/20 GeneSystems identifies cancer risk early on by using tumor antigen markers. It can improve cancer detection by up to 30%…
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Most people who grew up in the 1960s cite two events they can vividly remember. The first is when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The other is when the U.S. landed on the moon in 1969. I will never forget the day Kennedy was killed.
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Startup Insider: Inside LA Tech Week

By Early Investing on September 1, 2022

LA Tech Week is an event for founders, investors and all manner of tech enthusiasts to connect and learn. This year’s event, which ran from August 15 to August 21, was expected to draw a small number of people. But thousands showed up.
Things are only impossible until they are not.  These inspiring words were spoken by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, a character from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” And I’m not quoting him just because I like Star Trek. (Though I really do.) Star Trek shows us…
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New Pick: A Trustworthy Gig Workforce

By Andy Gordon on August 25, 2022

Great investment opportunities come in all shapes and forms. Some startups are solving the world’s biggest problems — like climate change and the global pandemic. They focus on the scary problems that can do great harm. These problems get the most attention. But I greatly appreciate…
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Angel Insider: SoftBank Warns Investors About Startup Winter

By Early Investing on August 23, 2022

SoftBank is worried. Earlier this month, SoftBank founder and chief executive Masayoshi Son said unicorn founders are refusing to accept lower valuations in fresh funding rounds. As a result, “startup winter” — or the funding crunch startups are currently facing in…
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Startup Insider: This Startup Reimagines Cars as a Service

By Early Investing on August 22, 2022

America loves its cars. From classic car shows to “The Fast and the Furious” to congested highways across the country, cars are entrenched in American culture. In 2020, 91.5% of U.S. households had at least one vehicle. And year after year,…