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Understanding Angel Investing: Insights from Elliot Tomaeno

Angel investing remains a complex field for many, sparking questions about the sources of their capital, the criteria they use to evaluate promising startups, and how external factors such as market fluctuations and political environments affect their investment strategies. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, grasping the perspectives of angel investors could be crucial for unlocking growth opportunities.

In a recent episode of the podcast Living Not So Fabulously, hosts David & John Auten-Schneider engage in a conversation with Elliot Tomaeno, the Founder and CEO of ASTRSK PR and a seasoned angel investor. Tomaeno has a reputation for directing his funding and public relations efforts toward tech startups. He has collaborated with various notable brands, including Groupon, STASH, Prime Video, and Squarespace, among others.

While the path to success in entrepreneurship is not straightforward, Tomaeno offers valuable insights into the investment ecosystem, drawing from his dual experience as a founder and investor. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, advising startup founders to take calculated risks in being outspoken about issues central to their operations. He states, “That kind of authenticity at the early stage and the ability to maybe not be afraid to make some enemies, I think, is something that really stands out as something that makes people successful or makes companies successful.”

Tomaeno further elaborates on his approach to investment, highlighting his desire to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations that prioritize both ethical business practices and positive contributions to society. He expresses a particular commitment to uplifting marginalized startups, stating, “I want to work with companies that not only are good to us and our staff, but also don’t make the world a worse place, at the very least.” This includes a focus on BIPOC startups, female founders, LGBTQ+ founded businesses, and those led by AAPI entrepreneurs.

To catch the full discussion and more episodes of Living Not So Fabulously, you can listen on a variety of podcast platforms, or watch episodes directly on the show’s website.

Yahoo Finance’s Living Not So Fabulously is created and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Source
finance.yahoo.com