Angel – How to Invest in Technology Startups

Date: 2023-11-22

Book Author: Jason Calacanis

Most startup books are written for founders. This one’s for investors — or anyone thinking about becoming one. Jason Calacanis has made millions backing early-stage startups like Uber, Calm, and Robinhood. He doesn’t just explain how he did it — he teaches you how to think like an angel investor, even with $1k in the bank.

💡 What It Taught Me: • The goal is to find 1 in 100 that becomes a 100x — not play it safe. • Great founders have 2 things: insight and obsession. • The most important skill? Saying no 99% of the time.

❤️ What I Enjoyed: • Fast, bold, and conversational — feels like a long coffee chat. • Offers a real look into the messy early stages of investing. • Good founder insights too — reverse-engineered from what investors look for.

🤔 What's Loud: • Calacanis has a big personality — some readers may find it too self-promotional. • U.S.-centric view — adapt for other markets.

📈 Verdict: If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I got in early on [startup],” — this is your playbook. Even better if you're a founder who wants to understand the investor mindset.

Rating: 4.5/5