Introducing Not Boring Capital: Investing in Companies with Stories to Tell

Introducing Not Boring Capital: Investing in Companies with Stories to Tell

Not Boring Capital is an $8 million venture fund that has a unique approach to investing. They focus on companies with compelling stories and help them share those stories with the world. Led by Packy McCormick, Not Boring Capital invests primarily in Seed through Series B companies, with occasional investments in pre-seed and growth-stage companies. This combination of investing and storytelling sets Not Boring Capital apart from traditional venture funds.

One of the reasons why Not Boring Capital is so successful is because Packy is not only an investor but also a writer. He believes that his writing skills have made him a better investor, and his investing experiences have improved his writing. This symbiotic relationship between investing and writing creates a flywheel effect that enhances Packy's abilities in both domains.

While Not Boring Capital invests in a variety of verticals, fintech is their leading sector. They have made six investments in fintech companies, totaling $525k. This focus on investing tech in the fintech space showcases Not Boring Capital's expertise and understanding of this rapidly growing industry.

Not Boring Capital has a three-pronged investment strategy. The core investments are companies with the potential to provide significant returns, potentially returning the entire fund in the best-case scenario. These core investments typically make up around 75% of the total invested dollars. The explore investments are smaller bets made to gain access to the next round of funding or increase deal flow. While these investments have high upside potential, they are too small individually to expect them to return the fund. Explore investments usually comprise 5-10% of the invested dollars. Lastly, Not Boring Capital also makes growth investments, which are later-stage or safer investments with a lower ceiling but a higher floor. These investments make up approximately 20% of the invested dollars and have the potential to collectively return the fund once.

Not Boring Capital's mission goes beyond just investing. They aim to build a community of investors, entrepreneurs, and readers who can support one another. With over 60,000 people in their network, Not Boring Capital leverages the collective knowledge and expertise of their community. The portfolio companies of Not Boring Capital benefit from the support and insights of Not Boring readers, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

Packy McCormick, the founder of Not Boring Capital, has always had three passions: meeting and talking to smart people, reading and writing, and investing. Not Boring Capital allows him to pursue all three of his passions simultaneously. This unique combination of interests and skills sets Not Boring Capital apart from other venture funds.

In the world of content creation, Substack has emerged as a powerful platform for writers and creators to share their work. The beauty of Substack is that it allows creatives from various backgrounds to pursue their creative passions on their own terms. It breaks away from the traditional advertising-based business models and gives writers ownership over their relationship with their audience.

Many content creators build their audience on platforms owned by media brands or other platforms, but Substack changes that dynamic. It enables writers to have a direct relationship with their audience, allowing them to cultivate a loyal following. This freedom and ownership are what attracted Packy McCormick to Substack. He began recommending Substack to friends who wanted to start blogs or newsletters, recognizing the platform's ability to provide a trusted and reliable space for sharing writing.

The rise of Substack has been remarkable. Writers and creators are promoting Substack in their Twitter profiles and embracing it as a platform that empowers them to share their work directly with their audience. This shift in the content creation landscape is exciting, as it gives more power and control to the creators themselves.

In conclusion, the combination of Not Boring Capital's investment strategy and Substack's disruptive platform highlights the changing landscape of content creation and investing. Both entities prioritize storytelling and building relationships with their audience. They provide opportunities for creators to share their work and investors to support companies with compelling stories.

To apply these insights to your own endeavors, here are three actionable advice:

1. Embrace the power of storytelling: Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or content creator, storytelling can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. Craft narratives that resonate and captivate, enabling you to stand out in a crowded market.

2. Build your own platform: Take ownership of your relationship with your audience. Instead of relying solely on third-party platforms, create your own space where you can engage directly with your followers. Platforms like Substack empower creators to control their narrative and build a loyal community.

3. Foster a supportive community: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your interests and passions. Engage with your community, seek advice, and provide support. The collective knowledge and insights of a community can be invaluable in driving personal and professional growth.

By incorporating these actionable advice and embracing the changing landscape of content creation and investing, you can unlock new opportunities and achieve success in your own endeavors.