“I see angel investing as a way to channel capital towards productive use.”
In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, Michael Waitze is joined by Jed Ng, a Tech Investor, Advisor and Business Head of Rakuten Rapid API – the world’s largest API marketplace. They discussed how Jed got started in angel investing, key pieces of advice on doing so and some insight on the best business practices through his own experience.
Getting Started in Angel Investing
For Jed Ng, entering the world of angel investing came naturally as a by-product of his own work and interests.
“Although it’s been a bumpy journey,” he says, “it can also be a highly rewarding experience.”
Although it naturally occurred with Jed, the idea of getting involved in angel investing may be a concept that is too foreign to even consider. In this podcast, Jed gives advice on what to look for when deciding what company or product you want to invest in and what important factors are there to consider.
This includes factors such as the pitch deck, prototype, the founders, and more.
How Remote Work is Changing Angel Investing
As times have rapidly changed, Michael and Jed discuss the impacts of social distancing and how it may affect the future of angel investing.
In the past, one would assume that to succeed, you need to be on the grounds of where you are investing. But as times have suddenly changed, having the ability to invest remotely and successfully at the same time gives you an undeniable edge.
The way companies find and recruit talent may be changing as a result of social distancing, as people are not limited to only work in an area they are living in.
However, both Michael and Jed agree, that this change in how companies hire seems unlikely. This is because most companies prefer hiring people in the same area.
Or as Michael puts it: “guys from Boston want to work with guys from Boston.”
That being said, if this does change, it will provide great economic opportunities, enhance workplace diversity, and more.
Product vs Distribution Ability
Every company knows that to stay on top, your ability to seal the deal is critical. However, in an age where there is an abundance of products and services, having a good product may no longer be enough.
Michael and Jed dove into different examples of how companies have turned their products into a platform, focusing more on user experience which is directly connected to product distribution.
Jed explains that having the right distribution method can enhance a company’s market and provide them with an edge in terms of customer loyalty and efficiency.
Managing Angel Investments and Syndicates
Finally, Jed and Michael discussed a key question in angel investing: “How many angels are too many?”
For many entrepreneurs, acquiring an abundance of angels has become almost like trophy collecting. However, this is a chase that may come with some risks.
To learn more about Jed Ng and his Angel Investing journey and his buildout of the world’s largest API marketplace, listen to this episode of Asia Tech Podcast today.
Asia Tech Podcast - Episode 72 - Jed Ng - Angel Investing - Syndicates Are a Way to Hack That Process
