Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Getting Started Investing

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 100 posts

Ask HN: Getting Started Investing

#1

Post by wantrepevestor »

I, like probably most of the people here, want to someday build a product and sell it. But, until I can come up with an idea I believe in I would like to invest in other people's ideas. I'm a well paid independent consultant and have $100-150K yearly profits that can be used for investments.

My problem is getting in touch with startups to invest in. Investing through AngelList, but I unfortunately do not (yet?) meet the requirements to become an accredited investor.

Is $100-150K yearly enough to get started? Do I have the "buy in" necessary to join a fund?

Any real life advice on how to get started would be greatly appreciated. I'm based in western Europe btw.

Re: Ask HN: Getting Started Investing

#2

Post by gshdg »

Do you want to invest, or to gamble?

At your level of available funds, investing in startups is gambling, because you can’t spread your bets widely enough to hedge them and increase the likelihood that gains on one will make up for the losses or break-even on the rest.

If you want to invest, I recommend index funds.

Re: Ask HN: Getting Started Investing

#4

Post by s_Hogg »

gshdg wrote: post #2

Do you want to invest, or to gamble? At your level of available funds, investing in startups is gambling, because you can’t spread your bets widely enough to hedge them and increase the likelihood that gains on one will make up for the losses or break-even on the rest. If you want to invest , I recommend index funds.

Yes

1) never take a position that can wipe you out, and 2) shut up and wait

Steady accumulation will achieve most things for most people if you can handle the fact it's not exciting and you won't get to feel like an important investor guy. If so, there's your best bet.

Re: Ask HN: Getting Started Investing

#7

Post by formercoder »

These days there is too much money and not enough places to put it. It’s difficult as an unconnected angel to find decent opportunities. If you met the threshold to invest as an LP in a fund that would keep you diversified and the GPs would have access that you do not.

Re: Ask HN: Getting Started Investing

#9

Post by ChefboyOG »

If you're committed to investing in startups (as opposed to index funds/real estate), I'd recommend checking out AngeList's spinoff https://republic.co/

Their startups raise crowdfunded equity rounds that you can invest in for smaller amounts without meeting the requirements for being an accredited investor.

Post reply on HN