Can I learn to search through investing?

by a searcher from Georgia Institute of Technology

5 months ago

I'm a successful, mid-career tech executive transitioning to EtA, and likely a self-funded search. I'm consuming all the books/podcasts and part of an accelerator cohort starting in September.
I'm also lucky enough to be in the financial position to invest in other searchers. While I'd obviously make those investments with the goal of returns, I am also interested in how being an investor might accelerate my learning.
For those of you with self-fundend search investing experience, can investing be a valuable learning experience for someone aspiring to be a searcher themselves? Are there experienced investors who might be open to someone like me being a minority/add on?
Feel free to tell me straight if this is a bad idea, or if folks wouldn't be open to me joining their investment. I appreciate straight talk :)

1 like
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18 comments

investor from Hamilton College

I'd certainly recommend investing before or during your search if you have the means to do so. It accelerates your learning curve in terms of the process and evaluating businesses. It also builds your network of resources for your own search and, maybe just as important, gives you additional perspective stepping into a business as an operator. Happy to connect further.

5 months ago | like reply | 0 likes

investor from University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School

Jeff, I'm in a similar position as well. After start-up tech exit a few years ago, now looking at the 1-10 ETA space and buying a company and exploring investments in other searchers. I've found it very educational to review deals and talk with searchers/sponsors. There are nuances and deal structures in the SMB acquisition space, and you can learn alot about how to assess businesses and their opportunity by doing the work. As others pointed out, you won't be in the trenches, so there is alot you cannot learn as simply an investor, but net net, if you have the time and some excess cash, I think its been a good entry point to learn while hopefully getting paid (via return) to do it.

5 months ago | like reply | 1 like

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