This Week in Startups Ask an Angel with Zach Coelius: Starting your angel career, building marketplaces & more | E1189
Mar 25, 2021
Zach Coelius, a savvy angel investor specializing in marketplaces and early-stage ventures, breaks down the essentials of launching profitable marketplaces. He shares strategies for angel investing on platforms like AngelList, emphasizing personal relationships and nurturing investor engagement. Zach also touches on the risks of venture capital, the significance of demonstrating traction, and the evolving landscape of equity crowdfunding. Amidst it all, he injects humor and creative insights, making the journey of investing and entrepreneurship both informative and entertaining.
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Marketplace Strategy
- Focus on the "white hot center" of your marketplace: the group with the most passionate need for the transaction.
- Gradually expand outward from that core group as the market adapts.
Jumpstarting Marketplaces
- Limit your marketplace's scope by product, geography, or cost to get the flywheel spinning.
- You can also "buy" supply (e.g., paying drivers or writers) to jumpstart growth.
Friends & Family Rounds
- Avoid taking money from non-accredited investors, especially friends and family, to prevent legal issues and strained relationships.
- If needed, set up an SPV or explore alternative options with your attorney.