Entrepreneurs
DATA: Are VC Investors Cutting Down On Checks?!
According to a recent survey, venture capitalists are worried there’s too much money moving around the private markets.
For Q3, the Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index—a quarterly University of San Francisco undertaking for the past 15 years—scored 3.58 on a 5 point scale (5 indicates high confidence, 1 low).
“But 3.58 is still high….ish…no?”
Well. Not really. You’ve gotta look at how it’s trending.
So how’s it trending?
Some non-report, index data from 2010-2018.
This quarter’s index measurement dropped from Q2’s index reading of 3.76—and below the nearly 16-year average of 3.70.
That said, it’s better than Q4 of last year where investor confidence market the lowest index reading since Q1 of 2009, right around Recession time.
And with all the tech IPO activity this year—including BOTCHED ones like WeWork and not-so-good ones like Uber—investor confidence could be dipping even further. Especially with, what appears to be, IPO fatigue in the public markets.
And that may not play out well for valuations.
OK, so what’s the deal?
A couple of factors.
According to the researchers, investors are catching stank face over the—quote— “lofty valuations due to a continuing enormous supply of capital being made available to new ventures as more mega funds ($500M or more) are being established.”
ROUGHLY TRANSLATED: Mega investors—like WeWork sugar daddy SoftBank—are frustrated with poor returns.
So what are the VCs saying?
Well, the VCs chipped in with their two cents, in jargon, of course.
Menlo Ventures Partner Venky Ganesan says private markets have been fueled “by the availability of cheap capital and the surge of new entrants to private investing.”
AllegisCyber’s Bob Ackerman said something similarly jargon-y, adding there’s “too much capital chasing too much undifferentiated innovation with unrealistic return expectations.”
In other words: Too much money being thrown at ideas that aren’t new ideas but expect to be the next Facebook from standpoint of traction.
On one side of the spectrum, then you have guys like Kobe Bryant, whose $100M VC fund Bryant is straight CRUSHING IT, with 18 active deals and 10 exits.
Then there’s Trump…
Trading uncertainty is making people stay on the sidelines. Apparently, all the impeachment chatter isn’t helping either, according to the research.
USF’s Mark Cannice concluded his report—and brace yourself, there’s a whole heap of jargon coming—by saying this:
“With new sources and unprecedented amounts of capital being made available to new ventures” along with “evolving expectations of public markets for venture-backed firms in terms of paths to profitability, it could be argued that the venture industry is itself in the midst of a transformation.”
What the FUCK does that even mean?!
We’ll tell you what it means.
TRANSLATION: Venture capitalists are basically sick and tired of startups burning through cash without being profitable in the hope that a massive IPO will get said venture capitalists their 10x returns on the back of sucker public investors.
And said sucker public investors have caught on to the shiznit. In other, less pretentious words, the gig is up.
(See how we did that in three words vs. three lines? 🔥)
But that doesn’t mean there’s no money to be made…
There are entrepreneurs out there who raise capital scale, just like there are VCs who don’t just invest to cash out at IPO. Or you can always go catch an alley oop with Kobe and get straight back into the gains game. That’s always an option…
‘Till next time, #WealthGANG…
A recession can be a challenging time, but it can also present opportunities for investors to make smart investment decisions.
During a recession, certain industries tend to perform better than others, and identifying these opportunities can be the key to success.
Here are the top 10 investment opportunities to capitalize on during a recession:
1. Defensive Stocks
Defensive stocks are those that tend to perform well EVEN during economic downturns.
These include companies that provide essential goods and services, such as healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples.
Defensive stocks may not offer the highest returns, but they can provide stability and protection during a recession.
Defensive stocks include Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and Walmart, among others. (You can buy them all inside the NYCE app.)
2. Gold
Gold is often seen as a safe haven during times of economic uncertainty.
As a tangible asset, it can provide a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. During a recession, the price of gold may rise as investors seek a safe haven for their money.
READ: 3 Ways To Invest In Gold (In 3 Minutes Or Less)
3. Real Estate
Real estate can be a good investment opportunity during a recession. Especially if you are looking for a long-term investment. (Hence why NYCE exists.)
While property values may dip during a recession, they tend to recover over time. In addition, rental properties can provide a steady stream of income, even during a recession.
After all: Real estate has created more millionaires than any other asset class.
4. High-Quality Bonds
High-quality bonds, such as U.S. Treasury bonds, can be a safe investment during a recession.
These bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, which makes them less risky than other types of bonds. (Though this has become less safe today than in the past.)
They may not offer the highest returns, but they can provide stability and protection during a recession.
5. Consumer Discretionary Stocks
Consumer discretionary stocks are those that are tied to consumer spending, such as retail, travel, and entertainment companies.
During a recession, these stocks may suffer as consumers cut back on non-essential spending.
However, if you believe that the economy will recover, investing in consumer discretionary stocks can be a good bet.
6. Healthcare Stocks
Healthcare stocks tend to perform well even during economic downturns, as people still need healthcare services regardless of the state of the economy.
In addition, the aging population in many countries is driving demand for healthcare services, which can provide long-term growth opportunities for investors.
7. Technology Stocks
Technology stocks can be a good investment opportunity during a recession, as many companies in this sector have strong balance sheets and cash reserves.
In addition, the shift towards remote work and online shopping during the pandemic has increased demand for technology products and services.
8. Emerging Markets
Emerging markets can be a good investment opportunity during a recession, as these countries may be less affected by the economic downturn than developed countries.
In addition, emerging markets often have higher growth rates than developed countries, which can provide long-term growth opportunities for investors.
9. Dividend Stocks
Dividend stocks can be a good investment opportunity during a recession, as they provide a steady stream of income even during tough economic times.
Look for companies with a history of paying dividends and a strong balance sheet.
10. Cash
Finally, cash can be a good investment during a recession, as it provides flexibility and liquidity. Having cash on hand can allow you to take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise.
In conclusion, while a recession can be a challenging time for investors, it can also present opportunities for smart investment decisions.
By identifying the top investment opportunities during a recession, you can position yourself for long-term success.
Entrepreneurs
From Zero to Millionaire: How 9-5 Marketing Guy Made A Fortune Selling Pet Rocks As A Joke (1)
No BS—this is actually a real story.
The pet rock—a seemingly ridiculous idea—became a sensation and made its creator, Gary Dahl, a millionaire in the 1970s.
Dahl, a marketing executive, came up with the idea as a joke during a conversation with friends.
He packaged rocks in a cardboard box with holes and called them “pet rocks,” complete with an instruction manual on how to care for them.
There was virtually no upfront investment, as the rocks themselves were free, and the packaging was inexpensive.
“It was a joke,” Dahl told ABC News years later. “It was a satire. It was fun. And it became an overnight success.”
The pet rocks became an instant hit, with Dahl selling over a million of them in six months.
LEARN: How to build a $100K side hustle in 1 hour.
He appeared on popular TV shows and even wrote a book about his success. The pet rock craze died down after a year, but Dahl had already made his fortune.
After the pet rock craze died down, Gary Dahl continued to work in marketing and advertising.
He also tried to launch other novelty products, such as “sand-breeding kits” and “mood rings,” but none of them achieved the same level of success as the pet rock.
“I think that’s one of the things that is wrong with business today. People are so serious, they forget to have fun,” Gary Dahl said.
The success of the pet rock shows that sometimes the most unconventional ideas can lead to great success.
Case Study: How A $49 Investment Could Make You $100K+ In 6 Months
Why Gary’s story matters to you…
The story of Gary Dahl and his pet rock is a testament to the power of thinking outside the box. Sometimes, it’s the seemingly ridiculous ideas that can lead to the biggest successes.
Dahl’s story is not only inspiring, but it’s also a reminder to keep a sense of humor and not take ourselves too seriously.
In business, it’s easy to get bogged down in strategy and analysis, but we should never forget the importance of creativity and fun.
The success of the pet rock is also a lesson in the power of marketing.
Dahl’s packaging and instruction manual turned a simple rock into a desirable product. It’s a reminder that sometimes it’s not the product itself that’s important, but how it’s presented to the world.
So if you’re feeling stuck in your business or just need a little inspiration, take a cue from Gary Dahl and his pet rock.
Keep an open mind, don’t be afraid to take risks, and don’t forget to have a little fun along the way.
Who knows…you might just come up with the next big thing.
About author:
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