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Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000
by
One of Silicon Valley’s most successful angel investors shares his rules for investing in startups.
There are two ways to make money in startups: create something valuable—or invest in the people that are creating valuable things.
Over the past twenty-five years, Jason Calacanis has made a fortune investing in creators, spotting and helping build and fund a number of success ...more
There are two ways to make money in startups: create something valuable—or invest in the people that are creating valuable things.
Over the past twenty-five years, Jason Calacanis has made a fortune investing in creators, spotting and helping build and fund a number of success ...more
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Start your review of Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000
I doubted this book would be particularly useful to me, as I do this stuff for a living and have done 50+ early stage investments. Not so - while this book is aimed at a mass market and some of the info is quite basic, its filled with absolute gold for folks already doing this professionally. And having read everything else out there on VC investing, I can say this book is by far the best. Highly recommended.
Hard won lessons without promotional self-delusion
Honestly, I thought there was a good chance that this might well be a self-congratulatory business memoir that would be a thinly veiled promotional effort for the author's next venture. Despite these misgivings, I was so eager to compare my own angel investing experience with someone else's that I impulsively purchased the book. --and then I couldn't put it down.
This book seemed to be written for novice angel investors, but it actually would fit ...more
Honestly, I thought there was a good chance that this might well be a self-congratulatory business memoir that would be a thinly veiled promotional effort for the author's next venture. Despite these misgivings, I was so eager to compare my own angel investing experience with someone else's that I impulsively purchased the book. --and then I couldn't put it down.
This book seemed to be written for novice angel investors, but it actually would fit ...more
I got the audiobook and this one came at the perfect time since I've recently made investments in 4 startups and plan on making many more over the course of my career.
Jason Calacanis is known in the Bay to be one of the top investors angel or otherwise and also a very entertaining guy you'll see often on CNBC and the like. He's a Brooklyn dude, so he's known for his bluntness which comes across amazingly in the audiobook version. If you have any interest in understanding how startups get fun ...more
Jason Calacanis is known in the Bay to be one of the top investors angel or otherwise and also a very entertaining guy you'll see often on CNBC and the like. He's a Brooklyn dude, so he's known for his bluntness which comes across amazingly in the audiobook version. If you have any interest in understanding how startups get fun ...more
The book is a pretty accurate account of how the Startup world works and how you can still be a part of it even if you are not a founder – be an Angel Investor then. Like any other investment vehicle which has unlimited upside and limited downside – it can be risky.
Jason clearly spells out that if you cannot handle losing all your angel investments do not read the book.
He explains about how you should sift through hundreds of startup ideas and founders to find the right one to fund. Like any ot ...more
Jason clearly spells out that if you cannot handle losing all your angel investments do not read the book.
He explains about how you should sift through hundreds of startup ideas and founders to find the right one to fund. Like any ot ...more
Jason invited us to present at one of his conferences. He's very welcoming and it's great that he supports fledgling entrepreneurs as much as he can. Having been in Silicon Valley the last two years as an entrepreneur and investor, it's a solid book that covers the important points of fundraising. What I'm apprehensive about is the Valley's overzealous nature that has created so much uncertainty in the market, where billionaires are buying bunkers to prepare for end times. Technology is outpacin
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Favorite book (so far) in 2017. Massive highlights! Loved this book. Very actionable and motivating.
I'm sure this book has very valuable information for someone...but when the author flat out states that you HAVE to live in Silicon Valley in order to make this advice work, he loses most of his audience. That's my only real problem with the book - why market it to the general public, stating that it's for anyone, including the mom in the grocery store, the just-graduated student, etc - when you explicitly state that they have to be located in the Bay Area? If the book was titled "Angel: How to
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I stumbled across Jason's story via a podcast article on Forbes.com. Jason is the kind of guy you would love to have in your corner he lives on the edge of the future of business and technology. He's an inspirational because he's willing to take more swing for the fences hits. Angel is forward thinking and will stretch your understanding about where the world is going. A plus!
Nuggets of Truth:
The American Dream still exists it's just not a widely distributed
The job apocalypse is coming
Sequioa C ...more
Nuggets of Truth:
The American Dream still exists it's just not a widely distributed
The job apocalypse is coming
Sequioa C ...more
I am a big fan of Jason Calacanis. I've subscribed to his podcast "This Week in StartUps with Jason Calacanis". His interviews are superb. He's such a straight shooter and is a joy to listen to.
I listen to the audiobook, which is read by Jason himself. (I think all audiobooks should be read by authors).
If you've been a long-time follower of Jason's podcast, the materials in the books won't seem new as he has mentioned here and there in his blogposts and podcasts. However, the book is the compr ...more
I listen to the audiobook, which is read by Jason himself. (I think all audiobooks should be read by authors).
If you've been a long-time follower of Jason's podcast, the materials in the books won't seem new as he has mentioned here and there in his blogposts and podcasts. However, the book is the compr ...more
Jason Calacanis offers a playbook for the mysterious world of the generation's kingmakers - angel investing. Though the tips are quite tactical (and thus at times feel out of reach), there are big takeaways for future angels, current investors, and even corporate climbers.
1. The rules to the game have changed. Investing in those that are changing the word is the only surefire way to guarantee outsized returns, and that means focusing on disruptive innovation.
2. Location, location, location. Th ...more
1. The rules to the game have changed. Investing in those that are changing the word is the only surefire way to guarantee outsized returns, and that means focusing on disruptive innovation.
2. Location, location, location. Th ...more
A great read, a very educational and insightful view of the angel and startup world told by someone who has experienced and lived through it all. Not only is the book highly informative, it is a great business biography of Jason's life. As a startup founder I found great value to learn what it's like on the other side and will hopefully use that knowledge to help me grow my startup www.Welcome.AI and be better prepared when the time comes to meet with angels.
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This book lays out step by step how you too can get a piece of the action... and you don't need to be rich to get started.
OR read this book as an entrepreneur to understand how your potential investors think.
Seriously, read this book.
Jason here is at his finest. He lays bare his history, how he became successful as an investor, and shares his insights and mistakes so you don't have to make them too. ...more
OR read this book as an entrepreneur to understand how your potential investors think.
Seriously, read this book.
Jason here is at his finest. He lays bare his history, how he became successful as an investor, and shares his insights and mistakes so you don't have to make them too. ...more
Concentrated startup hustle circa. 2011-2017. Jason does the work and shares a familiar truth that you have to be willing to hustle hard, with very little thanks for a decade to get the best deals/earn the trust. Moreover he shares an actionable step by step minimum investment path. It's both as simple and as hard as the truth of 'Angel'. Do the work.
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Entertaining and insightful. Very silicon valley-centric though and even some wrong facts when it comes to the world outside US. Still a very good read, lots of interesting stories from the business world.
Good Storytelling from the perspective of angels and a individual investors. Been listening to Jason’s podcasts for a while, did not agree everything he said, but appreciate his energy, honestly and sharing. This is a good introductory guide for readers who are interested in the startup world.
I found this both entertaining and informative and listened to it on Audible. Jason narrated it himself which I believe to be a strong reason as to why I enjoyed it so much, as his personality excels in this format. I doubt I would have enjoyed it quite as much in a written format, however, I am certain I would have still given it at least 4 stars due to the topics covered in the book. My recommendation though would be to listen to it, especially if you are a fan of This Week in Startups and/or
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Jason really helped me step up my angel investing game. I've invested in 20 companies over the past 2 years and 3 along side Jason. Very excited to read this book!
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a must read for every first-time founder
Really useful, funny and insightful. Recommend!
"Fooled by Randomness"
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I read and also listened to the Audible format which is narrated by Jason Calacanis himself. It feels like he is mentoring you personally. Clear insights. Some strategy to start and a few good tips. A must-have book on how to approach angel investing.
Got into angel investing a couple of years back, but never took it too seriously. I decided to give it a go for fun, and now I'm much more devoted to it while running my development agency. Jason's book has been an eye-opener and provided a good plan to get into angel investing sanely while not providing any sort of bullshit. Speaks clear, which I appreciate in a book, and provides sufficient examples to give better understanding of complex situations. A must read.
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Read this book if you want to learn how the real wealth is made in Silicon Valley and investing. Also, read this book if you're a founder and want to learn how Angel Investors think. This book is very authentically written in Jason's voice and he doesn't bullsh*t anybody, he tells it like it is - and lucky for you, that's part of his secret to success.
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I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I can see at a glance as to how much work went into writing this book. Having read parts, I am passing this book on to my brother in law who will find this book very useful.
I can see at a glance as to how much work went into writing this book. Having read parts, I am passing this book on to my brother in law who will find this book very useful.
"Precious little snowflakes" ;) Fun & quick read!
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Although American orientated there are enough good pointers to help investors in Europe . At times, I must admit I did not understand where we were going, but that's probably lost in translation ie American to English I would say give it ago.
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A rare and valuable insight into the thoughts of a successful angel investor.
Whilst Jason wrote this book for entrepreneurs looking to transition to becoming angel investors, I'd suggest that the content of the book is even more valuable for entrepreneurs wanting to better understand the angel investors who they'll be attempting to raise their initial capital from.
A very enjoyable, pithy, and worthwhile read. Highly recommended. ...more
Whilst Jason wrote this book for entrepreneurs looking to transition to becoming angel investors, I'd suggest that the content of the book is even more valuable for entrepreneurs wanting to better understand the angel investors who they'll be attempting to raise their initial capital from.
A very enjoyable, pithy, and worthwhile read. Highly recommended. ...more
Solid summary of how Jason got his start in angel investing, and the best way to get started, by starting with small checks and doing a lot of deals.
Be clear on how you are providing value, like introducing them to other VC firms or hiring. Set clear KPIs that come with your investment so you and the entrepreneur can measure success.
For your first few investments, follow a strong syndicate lead who is investing a company with 2 founders, a product in market and 18 months of runway. Always write ...more
Be clear on how you are providing value, like introducing them to other VC firms or hiring. Set clear KPIs that come with your investment so you and the entrepreneur can measure success.
For your first few investments, follow a strong syndicate lead who is investing a company with 2 founders, a product in market and 18 months of runway. Always write ...more
Whether you are new to angel investing, looking to become an angel investor, or an experienced angel investor, this book will have something for you. I've added a few things to my toolbox in my approach to providing value to founders as an angel investor as well as tracking the deals I review for future reference. His direct and no BS style resonates with me as it closely resembles the way I exist in this world but even if you aren't that way, Jason has some very practical advice for every angel
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Jason is among the best angel in the Silicon Valley, definitely among the top 5. His insights provide the details of what behind the scene in funding successful startups. A very good book to be read anyone inspired to be an angel investor as well as all founders buildings a startup.
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