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 people found this 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 people found this 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 people found this 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 people found this 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 people found this 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 people found this 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 people found this 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 people found this 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 people found this 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 people found this 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 person found this 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 person found this helpful

A must read!

This book is a must for anyone who wants to understand the technics of investments regardless of where you are. Brilliant transferable knowledge from Jason. Also, highly recommended for entrepreneurs who are planning to raise funding from investors. The knowledge shared in this book is priceless. Thank you Jason Calacanis.

The Ultimate Angel Investing Playbook!

A great book can change your life - Angel is one of them if you're thinking about investing in startups. JCal gives you the playbook he's created having spent decades helping and investing in some amazing companies like Uber and Calm. Sit back and enjoy the stories and gems of investing wisdom that will leave you feeling excited and inspired!

Eye opener

What an insight into the world of angel investors. Works for both amateurs and experts.

A bit lacking in substance

I did temper my expectations before buying this book but even so I found it light in substance.
Jason’s style is a bit abrasive but I actually grew to like him as I progressed through the book.
If he had shared any science his applies in evaluating investments I’d have considered it a great read.

Next stop SV

Love thestyle, the dark humour and mostly the inside track of one of the world's foremost angel investors. I'm going to make this a must-read for my team.

Awesome introduction to angel investing

Loved it. Inspirational and informative. If you are thinking about getting into angel investing, have made some investments or are seasoned investor looking to level up, this is a great audio program. Thank you Jason.

Sneaky Founder ;-)

I’m the founder of CurveBlock.io and I’m 100% guilty of listening to this book to get inside the head of what an Angel actually looks for, possibly one of the best books I’ve ever listened too, I even made contact with Ed from Hack VC who’s interviewed at the end of the book, and it was a positive response back from Ed, so yes the book is real people with real information and stories, a must listen for any Founder of a great startup.

Kindest Regards
Gary
Woodhead

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! ?