Keeping W2, but have cash on hand...best options?

I suspended a self funded search 2 years ago to take a flyer joining a seed-stage start up. Things are going exceptionally well and very likely we're "going to make it". This is the greatest professional challenge of my career so fa, I love the work and the people, and financially, it is very much in my best interest to stick around.

That said, I was already hoarding liquid assets for my search and further liquidating more since then. So I have cash to deploy and keeping it invested in the public markets doesn't excite me.

So, I'd like to discuss the options I have available

- Solo buyer. As an absentee, SBA may be difficult. What advice might anyone have on loan options in this case. Assuming a well established business with management and key operator in place.

- Partner with another searcher, who will be the operator. What are the SBA loan qualification standards in this case, where one partner is absentee and another is active? Or are other non-SBA loans a more attractive option?

- Invest smaller checks in other multiple search funds. I need to better learn the economics of this. Both positive and negative feelings about the level of involvement here.

Of course, the other options are to either invest in real estate or simple keep it liquid in the public markets, but as it is with most of you here, this is more meaningful.

Would love to hear some thoughts or stories others may have had in a similar position.

Thank You.