The pursuit to continually soak up knowledge is a defining trait of early-stage investors. Lifelong learning isn’t just a mindset—it’s a necessity. Curiosity fuels it, and the ever-evolving nature of markets and technology demands it.
At its core, Angel Fest is where both new and experienced angels sharpen their skills and become smarter investors. But why wait until May 8 & 9?
We’ve curated a list of some of our favorite podcasts, books, and blogs related to angel investing. So if you’re heading out on spring break consider this your poolside playlist:
Blogs
1. What the Heck is an Accredited Investor Anyway: As an angel investor, you'll likely need to qualify and self declare as an accredited investor. This blog will help break down what it means to be an accredited investor, why it matters, and some of the benefits that come with accreditation.
2. Learnings from 100+ Angel Investments: Entrepreneur and investor Daren Cotter shares his journey and the key learnings he’s gained after making 100+ angel investments. In this blog, Daren discusses everything from finding your why, creating your thesis, performance expectations, and more!
Interested in hearing more about Daren’s investment journey? Join us at Angel Fest 2025! Daren will be giving a spotlight talk sharing his learnings to help early-stage investors get smarter with their approach. Get your ticket here.
3. Early-Stage Valuations: As an early-stage investor, one of the most asked questions is how to analyze early-stage startup valuations. While there is not a perfect formula, this blog offers insight on the art and science behind valuation setting at an early-stage and how to strike a balance between founder and investor perspectives.
Podcasts
4. How I Built This with Guy Raz: In this Podcast, Guy Raz interviews the world’s best-known entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. One of the most recent episodes features Monica Nassif, founder of Mrs. Meyers, a company creating eco-friendly household cleaners. Eager to hear more? Monica will share her journey in building Mrs. Meyers as a headline speaker at Angel Fest 2025.
5. Everybody in the Pool: Everybody in the Pool is a climate solutions podcast hosted by Molly Wood. The podcast covers topics about environmental solutions and the innovators building them. Molly is a technology journalist-turned-venture capitalist, and graced Angel Fest’s stage as our 2024 headline speaker.
6. This Week in Startups: Jason Calacanis's podcast, This Week in Startups, covers a wide array of topics ranging from tech, markets, media, and startups. Listen for interviews with some of the world’s greatest operators, investors, and innovators!
Books
7. The Everyday Startup Investor: Perfect for any investors who are just entering the new world of angel investing, The Everyday Startup Investor written by Todd E. McWhirter, a self-claimed everyday person, shares how regular folks can start investing in startups and help drive prosperity.
Bonus Shoutout!
The Social Dilemma: Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma discusses the challenge of preserving privacy in an era where personal data flows freely through the maze of the internet. Joe Toscano, a featured expert in the documentary, will be a headliner at Angel Fest 2025, where he will discuss how startups and early-stage investors can create business value while safeguarding privacy and understanding how data operates as a currency in the modern digital landscape. Sound intriguing? Join us at Angel Fest to hear more of Joe’s thoughts. Get tickets here.
Angel investing is a journey of continuous learning, adaptability, and curiosity. The best investors don’t just rely on instinct—they seek out knowledge, challenge their thinking, and stay ahead of the curve.
But learning is even more powerful when shared. Join us at Angel Fest 2025 on May 8 & 9—a conference designed to help you level up as an early-stage investor, connect with peers, and walk away with fresh insights and inspiration. Get your ticket here today!
