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Equity Crowdfunding Deals Just Keep Getting Better
By Adam Sharp on June 29, 2021
Regulation Crowdfunding deals (startup deals anyone can invest in) are getting a lot more interesting lately. Take a look at Calm Company Fund on Wefunder. I’ve been following this investment firm for more than a year. Calm invests mainly in software and tech businesses that are “bootstrapped” by founders. In other words, these deals look different from the average venture capital-backed company. They’re leaner and more profitable.
Startup Insider: The Inside Track on Startup Accelerators
By Early Investing on June 28, 2021
When researching investment opportunities, investors need to review revenue numbers, market size, founder experience and other criteria. But what about accelerators? Some startups list their membership in a startup accelerator as a badge of honor. But what is an accelerator? And should investors take them into account when vetting startups?…
Market Correction Doesn’t Mean Crypto’s Bull Run Is Over
By Adam Sharp on June 25, 2021
Wow! What a crazy few weeks. This correction has been brutal. But I remain convinced that we are still in a long-term bull market uptrend. Let me explain why. Take a look at this chart on Twitter.
Market Changes Favor New Startup Investors
By Adam Sharp on June 25, 2021
I’ve now been investing in startups online for seven years. Over that time, I’ve invested in around 125 individual startups and three funds (those funds in turn invested in another 30 startups). The vast majority of deals were early — seed stage, pre-seed or Series A. And over…
Startup Insider: Oracle Health Joins Y Combinator and Makes Promising Progress
By Early Investing on June 24, 2021
Andy Gordon first recommended Oracle Health to First Stage Investor members in February. The company is developing a long-term insertable cardiac monitor for heart failure. Oracle has ambitious — but achievable — plans to get FDA clearance…
How to Evaluate Deep Tech Startups
By Andy Gordon on June 23, 2021
When you’re vetting tech startups, it’s not enough to simply note their sectors. Identifying a startup’s sector is merely the first step. You need to ask yourself what kind of tech has you intrigued. Is it a frontier technology company? Frontier technology…
Startup Valuations Aren’t Changing Anytime Soon
By Adam Sharp on June 22, 2021
Lately, I’ve written a lot about how expensive startup valuations have become. It’s gotten pretty silly in some cases. Now I’m wondering: Are they going to get cheaper anytime soon? Based on what I’m seeing, I’m leaning towards no.
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…
A Crypto Show Worth Watching
By Adam Sharp on June 18, 2021
I recently discovered a fantastic crypto show on Youtube/Twitch called UpOnly TV. The hosts, Ledger and CryptoCobain, make quite a pair. They regularly feature some of the smartest and most successful people in the crypto world. Here are a…
Startup Eyes Cannabis Industry’s Growing Software Problem
By Andy Gordon on June 17, 2021
Cannabis use has been exploding across the country. But it’s a disjointed market. Cannabis operators rely on software programs for their team communications, distribution, compliance documentation and more. And these programs are a tangled mess with no cross-communication. Operators typically spend $5,000-to-$7,000 a month…
Ignore Elon Musk, the World’s Biggest Crypto Troll
By Adam Sharp on June 17, 2021
Every time Elon Musk tweets about bitcoin and its price moves, I cringe. Why? WHY? There are much bigger issues we should be watching. But for some reason everyone focuses on Mr. Musk. Don’t get me wrong,…
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,…
Don’t Make These 6 Investing Mistakes
By Adam Sharp on June 15, 2021
One of my favorite startup investors, Jason Lemkin, tweeted something very insightful the other day. My top mistakes investing: Investing when not 90%+ sure within 20 mins Not doing pro-rata 100% time if great Investing in any founder don’t 100% trust Not investing just b/c don’t 100% understand it Investing…
Startup Insider: To Zoom or Not to Zoom?
By Early Investing on June 14, 2021
In Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, The Bomber Mafia, the author explores the concept of revolution. Revolution typically doesn’t happen because of one person, Gladwell writes. It happens because of a community. And the community works best when people are in close proximity. But in…
Bitcoin 2021: Leverage, Volatility and Other Takeaways
By Adam Sharp on June 11, 2021
Last week I traveled to Miami to attend Bitcoin 2021, the world’s largest crypto conference. Around 12,000 people attended this year. It was an amazing experience. I met fascinating people, learned a ton and discovered many innovative companies doing good work.
Inside the Bitcoin 2021 Conference
By Adam Sharp on June 11, 2021
Last week I attended the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami. It was an incredible experience. I came out of it fired up about bitcoin and the broader crypto markets (including DeFi, which I haven’t always been a huge fan of). Here are some of…