I have actively backed over 200 syndicates over the past 5 years and have led several of my own.

I have started and exited several companies, the most recent one was in the investment management area (fund of hedge funds), that I started in 2002 with $1M under management in SF, and grew to be a global firm with over $2 Bil+ AUM now based in Asia (Persistent Asset Management).

I believe in keeping an open mind in evaluating investment opportunities, but here is some of my philosophy:

-focusing on the user experience first and foremost, to a point of obsession

-customer traction and execution are becoming more relevant moats as network effect dominates

-backing truly exceptional talent that is passionate/mission-driven, thoughtful, tenacious, self-aware, and adaptable

-being a total rockstar badass doesn't have to come at the expense of being a genuinely nice and empathetic person

-preference for SF Bay area and NYC-based teams given their respective capital and entrepreneur ecosystems

-I prefer to be an average swimmer with the current behind me than the best swimmer and the current against me

-massive markets allow some margin for error

I will try and share my highest conviction seed-stage tech deals that give me at least $100K additional capacity and (of course) where the company gets on board with AngelList and allows it.