From Pitch Decks to Connections: The Real Value of Angel Investing

Think angel investing is all about the money? Think again—here’s how diving into the startup world through a syndicate taught me to take risks, build connections, and be amongst the best.

Notes:

1. 🙋🏽‍♀️ I’m looking to join angel investing syndicates that have a focus in Women’s Health. I’d love any recommendations!

2. ⬇️ Learn what syndicate I invest with down below

---

My Journey Into Angel Investing

When I first became an angel investor, I knew very little about investing in startups. That’s why I joined a syndicate.

If my ultimate goal were to maximize my return on investment to the exact dollar, I would’ve explored other options like stocks, ETFs, crypto, art, or even wine. But I wanted something different. I wanted to learn how to angel invest. And to do that, I had to “pay to play.” You can study all the concepts and theories, but unless you’re in the game, you’re not incentivized to actively play.

Getting Started: Finding a Syndicate

The first step was understanding what angel investing entails and finding ways to participate. That’s when I discovered angel investing syndicates and joined one I loved. (You can read more about angel investing syndicates here.)

I knew the goal of angel investing—especially in pre-seed rounds—is often to multiply your investment in returns. But for me, as a product manager in tech, the satisfaction of investing in impactful startups outweighed any potential returns.

Why Joining a Syndicate Was the Best Decision for Me

Here’s why investing through a syndicate worked so well:

• Deal Flow: At the start of my journey, I wouldn’t have had access to as many pitch decks without a syndicate.

• Meeting Founders: Hearing founders share their stories, learnings, and insights was invaluable.

• Discovering New Companies: I gained exposure to innovative startups and their goals. There’s a lot to learn from the problems companies are tackling, the solutions they’re building, and their insights.

• Exploring Industries: I was exposed to companies in new industries.

• Framework Development: I built and refined my own investing frameworks with input learning from the community.

• Diverse Expertise: Collaborating with experts from various fields sharpened my understanding of how to evaluate companies in those fields.

• Shared Deal Reviews: Discussing opportunities with others added depth to my decision-making.

• Connections: Syndicates are goldmines for networking—you meet founders, investors, and industry veterans. These connections can lead to new jobs, partnerships, hires, or even your next venture.

.

My Results

• Every deal (over 50+) —whether I invested or passed—taught me something valuable.

• I befriended the founder of a women’s health company I invested in.

• I connected with brilliant minds investing in groundbreaking ventures.

Money is great, but these experiences and connections outweigh the monetary returns.

Angel investing through a syndicate allowed me to quickly explore an unfamiliar domain, develop decision-making frameworks, map companies to specific problem areas, and gain insight into what it takes to build a successful company (at least in theory).

My Syndicate & What’s Next

I invest with Hustle Fund’s syndicate, Angel Squad, and I’d be happy to chat and refer you if you’re interested. You even get a discount on the intro offer through the referral!

Now, I’m looking to join additional syndicates—specifically those focused on Women’s Health. If you have recommendations, send them my way!