How I Invested in 5,000 Startups

Learn from my brief journey angel investing in privately-held businesses...

Dear Community,

I began my startup investing journey just a few short years ago, and I just realized my portfolio has grown to include more than 5,000 startups and privately-help small businesses!

Accessible education on startup investing is often gate-kept and overcomplicated. Most people assume its reserved for multi-millionaires, venture capitalists, and silicon-valley elites able to get into the right rooms. In truth, it’s never been easier to begin investing in this historically high-growth asset class — with thousands of opportunities accessible at a minimum of just $100.

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So, how did I do it?

After starting my angel investing journey, I learned that its very similar to the traditional stock market. I could invest in individual companies — like stocks and bonds, or I could also invest in a bundle of startups — like the an ETF, or the S&P500.

As an example, this article is posted on Substack, which is an individual startup in my portfolio. With a $585 million valuation, Substack opened a “community round” in 2023 for everyday people to invest in the company via Wefunder, an SEC-regulated platform enabling Substack’s campaign. Check out the deal memo we posted and shared with the community:

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It’s what I call being “VC•ish”

I could invest $100 into 5,000 individual startups, or I could invest $500 into 3 fundraising platforms enabling the success of the ecosystem.

For example, I’m an equity owner in the Wefunder platform itself, so, not only do I potentially benefit from Substack’s success, but I now have exposure to each of the 3,000+ startups fundraising with Wefunder. This is what I call being “VC•ish” — you don’t have to be a venture capitalist to think like one.

Smart investors know the value of diversification, so I’ve also been sure to make small bets with investments in Republic and StartEngine as well — two other leaders in the startup fundraising landscape.

By becoming equity owners in platforms enabling accessible investing at scale, we’ve got a vested interest in creating opportunities for the diverse communities we serve.

At Bison Venture Partners, we’re on a mission to become a vehicle for change.

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If you’re ready to learn more lessons from my startup investing journey, be sure to get your free copy of my eBook, The Ghetto VC: How to Invest like a Venture Capitalist, with Limited Resources.

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As an educational supplement, I’ve also recorded a 10-lecture course available to view at your own pace. Remember, if you’re an official member of The Herd, you get full access to this as well! Check it out below:

Thanks for reading!
Garry Johnson III
Founder & Managing Partner