Talking with founders and doing diligence on companies is a great way to find your next problem to work on, or even network into a job at one of the companies you diligence. Platforms like Republic allows both accredited and non-accredited investors to invest as little as $100 in early-stage startups. A number of VCs have formal scout programs to back your investments with capital. According to Abe Othman, head of Data Science, AngelList, “The data suggests that having started a company and having invested in companies are both indicators of future success—but the combination of having both experiences on the founding team has an even greater impact.”
To learn more about angel investing, see:
- Reading list for new angels/VCs
- For emerging VCs: Associations, Accelerators, Incubators, and Platforms
- To learn how to become a VC scout, see Elad Gil and Jai Malik.
If you want to join or found a VC, see:
- How to Win Consulting, Board, and Deal Roles with Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds
- How to get a job in venture capital
- Venture Capital compensation data and recruiters list
- How to negotiate a partner role at a VC or private equity firm
- Syllabus for how to launch, manage, and invest a VC fund