Angel

By: Jason Calacanis

Narrated by: Jason Calacanis

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

One of Silicon Valley's most successful angel investors shares his rules for investing in start-ups.

There are two ways to make money in start-ups: create something valuable - or invest in the people that are creating valuable things.

Over the past 25 years, Jason Calacanis has made a fortune investing in creators, spotting and helping build and fund a number of successful technology start-ups - investments that have earned him tens of millions of dollars. Now, in this enlightening guide that is sure to become the bible for 21st century investors, Calacanis takes potential angels step by step through his proven method of creating massive wealth: start-ups.

As Calacanis makes clear, you can get rich - even if you came from humble beginnings (his dad was a bartender, his mom a nurse), didn't go to the right schools, and weren't a top student. The trick is learning how angel investors think. Calacanis takes you inside the minds of these successful moneymen, helping you understand how they prioritize and make the decisions that have resulted in phenomenal profits. He guides you step by step through the process, revealing how leading investors evaluate new ventures, calculating the risks and rewards, and explains how the best start-ups leverage relationships with angel investors for the best results.

Whether you're an aspiring investor or a budding entrepreneur, Angel will inspire and educate you on all the ins of outs. Buckle up for a wild ride into the world of angel investing!

This audiobook edition of Angel includes exclusive bonus one-on-one interviews with Jason Calacanis and professional angel investors. Featured are Founders Fund partner Cyan Banister, multiple start-up investor Gil Penchina, founding partner at XG Ventures Andrea Zurek, and serial entrepreneur and start-up mentor Ed Roman.

©2017 Calacanis, LLC. (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

This audio book is worth millions!!

The author Jason Calacanis shares his 25 years of experience in Angel investing. Giving examples of what works and what does not. Sharing his rules for Angel investing and providing a strategic framework on how to get started. At the end of the book are valuable interviews with other professional Angel investors. Jason is a great narrator and interviewer that lets the conversation flow. I have listened to over 125 audible books and this is my favorite. Inspiring!!!

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

How to become an Angel Investor. No Really.

This book lays out step by step how you too can get a piece of the action... and you don't need to be rich to get started.

OR read this book as an entrepreneur to understand how your potential investors think.

Seriously, read this book.

Jason here is at his finest. He lays bare his history, how he became successful as an investor, and shares his insights and mistakes so you don't have to make them too.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

A must read or listen (or both :) for any angel investor or entrepreneur!

My 5 year plan (currently CEO @VoxSnap) is to start the "YC for Women Led Startups" an acceleration program that will give educational and financial resources for women to get their startups off the ground flying.
I got the audio book and the hard copy as a resource I'll be referring to. The audio book allowed me to quickly go through the content (finished it on my flight back to the Bay Area from Israel). The hard copy is going to be my reference point to different stages of investing (or fundraising ;).
I like this book because Jason cuts to the chase and says things as they are, while giving you perspective on what to do and what to not do.
You also get a glimpse into Jason's personality which is anything but boring, I find his story inspirational and motivating since I come from a similar background of not having much as a child. He shows you in his story that ambition wins and you can do anything you set your mind to.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

one of the greatest business books

I was glued to listening to this book. I found out about founders, investors, what motivates them, how the business works, the characters that make up the tech industry, as well as a lot of techniques to master Angel Investing.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Moving

Growing up I wanted to do one of two things, start a company or play Major League Baseball. I didn’t quite make the Majors, but I have started two companies. JaCal’s guidance is helping me create the next goal, which is to become an angel investor. The book is everything it needs to be, which is 100% not for everyone. It does provide great insight into the mysterious world of angel investing with great perspective, awareness and humor. Love the fact that JaCal is self-made and hope he continues to land more unicorns- hopefully with me along the ride on some of those investments.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Awesome listen, great advice.

I've been following Jason for a long time on his podcast "This Week in Startups" and I invest in his syndicate on Angel List. I was excited for this book to come out and It did not disappoint. Jason offers great advice on how to Angel investing in a very engaging and entertaining way. 5 Stars all around!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Must read for anyone in Startups

Would you consider the audio edition of Angel to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the book, only listened. I'll be buying a print copy for my library. The author's performance improved the content.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Angel?

Angel was written by someone who has done a lot for himself, but even more tech and startups. I enjoyed Jason's passion in laying out a step-by-step method of how to become an Angel. His passion and desire to help inspire successful Angels comes through and is admirable.

Any additional comments?

One of the best business books I've read recently and the most important in the last decade. As Jason noted in the foreword, someone else should have written "Angel." There should be an entire genre about Angel investing. Jason's ability to clearly and concisely explain how to get started, power through the difficult parts, and ultimately succeed is truly impressive. I recommend this book for anyone interested in startups -- on both the Angel and founder sides.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A must read for any would be angel, founder or curious party

Jason does such a good job with turning a dry topic like investing into an enjoyable read. Filled with personal stories, candid language and down to earth advice, it feels like you are listening to your friend give you the inside scoop over drinks rather than reading from a instruction manual. Don't get me wrong - all the meat and potatoes are there, but it's delivered in the same way as that one professor you had in college whose class you actually looked forward to because they didn't give a shit what the dean thought and just said it like it was. Thank you Professor Calacanis!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

One of the great business books of the last decade

Personal anecdotes and a tactical playbook from Uncle Jason. Binged over 2 or 3 days. Worth far more than price.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Jason hit out the Park! Wow!

If you are seeking a roadmap on how to become a angel investor in Silicon Valley, then look no further. Jason' s "Angel" is not only a enjoyable read/listen, but a nano course on how to win as an investor. Every chapter is ripe with real examples, his personal examples of how a C- student from Brooklyn became a prolific angel investor. He touched on the different ways angel can have impact on founders ranging from advisors, board members, or just being a cheerleader for the founders.

I've listen to Jason podcast and I can honestly say this book carries the same authentic tone that we all enjoy listening to on his weekly podcast.

Job well done, can't wait for this book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Jason demystifies Angel investing

Jason's passion and expertise in business startups advice is well known.

With this book he has now shared his passion and knowledge for angel investing in this straight talking guide perfect for those just starting out.

Jason continues to prove himself as one of the best educators in the startup ecosystem.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Calacanis made me an angel

I was one of the people who took a small slice of his syndicated investment in calm.com (an awesome mindfulness app) -- which he talks about in this book.

In 2014 I'd seen him interview the founder, Alex Tew, on his ThisWeekInStartups podcast. Calacanis was so insightful as he took the business to pieces, looked at each piece, and began to figure out its potential, chatting to Alex about what it could become.

When Calacanis offered his viewers a chance to invest alongside him, I happily chipped in my money -- it was obvious from Jason's analysis that it'd be a success -- soon I was investing again and again in several more startups through his online syndicate... And that led a tech accelerator in London to contact me -- they were looking for startup tech angels over here in England and asked was I one ? ...... I took a deep breath then said "YES ! I AM an angel investor!"

I'm 35 investments in now, and going strong - and that's all thanks to Calacanis.

He has educated, encouraged and funded a generation of startup founders -- and this book undoubtedly will have the same impact for angels everywhere.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great audiobook but the extras are hacked together

I found this very engaging and informative. I will listen to it again. however it was disappointing that the extras at the end seemed hacked together. Jason makes the same intro repeatedly. And the book just ends almost mid flow! ?

Go to book for both founders and investors

Great enthusiasm and passion along with valuable content. I'll be sure to visit this content multiple times over the course of my life. Funny guy too!!

A book for aspiring investors but is equally rewarding for entrepreneurs!

You need to read this book if you are an aspiring entrepreneur like myself.
This book is for aspiring angel investors but Jason shares his knowledge and experience by giving an insight into the psychie of investors and what they look for!- this is immensely valuable for entrepreneurs!
You will learn how and what to look for and what to ask in order to get the information you will need along your journey of building, optimizing and growing your product!

Concentrated startup hustle

Jason lays out an actionable plan that is the minimum you would have to do to make a success in angel investing, now you just have to do the work.

loved it!

Great read for both angels and founders. Jasons' style might be a little unusual, but angel investing is an unusual profession.

Great for investors and entrepreneurs

Would you consider the audio edition of Angel to be better than the print version?

Its more practical to listen to in the tube

What did you like best about this story?

The examples given

What does Jason Calacanis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The tone of voice is always a plus. He read it very well compared to other authors I've listened to.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some stories are fun to listen to but I'm an entrepreneur so the book mostly made me think about how to present my business.

Amazing!

What an excellent book. As an early stage founder, this was one of THE best pieces of candid and considered advice from the other side of the table that I could’ve asked for.

Thankyou Jason!

Steve Rimmer
Tickets for Good

Brilliant book on how to get into investing

This book is an excellent guide to getting into angel investing from someone who’s been there and got the t shirt. It’s written in a totally honest and clear way, no jargon, no pretence, just the stuff you need to know. What I liked most about the book is the fact that Jason really does offer a viable blueprint to those wanting to get into angel investing, offering practical tips as well as telling the stories of his own experience.

Jason has a very down to earth style that is refreshing to hear in a business book, making it very approachable. I would highly highly recommend.