Introducing Not Boring Capital: A Venture Fund with a Story to Tell

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Aug 16, 2023
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Introducing Not Boring Capital: A Venture Fund with a Story to Tell
Not Boring Capital is an $8 million venture fund that invests in companies with stories to tell, and helps tell them. Led by Packy McCormick, the fund focuses on investing in Seed through Series B companies, with occasional pre-seed and growth-stage investments. What sets Not Boring Capital apart is the unique flywheel created by Packy's dual role as an investor and a writer. This combination allows him to bring a unique perspective to his investments and leverage his writing skills to enhance the storytelling capabilities of the portfolio companies.
One of the leading verticals for Not Boring Capital is fintech. With 6 investments and $525k invested, fintech has proven to be a promising sector for the fund. However, Not Boring Capital also explores other verticals, seeking smaller investments that can provide a seat in the next round or increase deal flow. These investments offer high upside potential but may not individually return the fund. Growth-stage investments, on the other hand, provide a safer option with a lower ceiling and a higher floor, making up about 20% of the fund's investments.
The exponential growth potential of the companies Not Boring Capital invests in is comparable to the growth of tech giants like Apple. In 2011, Exxon was the most valuable company in the world with a market cap in the low-$400 billion range. Today, Apple is worth $2.4 trillion, nearly 6 times higher. This shows the tremendous potential for startups to become industry leaders and generate significant returns for investors.
What sets Not Boring Capital apart is not just its investment strategy, but also its extensive network. While most venture firms have a limited number of people, Not Boring Capital leverages its readership base to expand its reach. With over 60,000 readers, the fund benefits from the support and engagement of its audience. This symbiotic relationship between the portfolio companies and the readers creates a powerful network effect that amplifies the impact and success of the investments.
Packy McCormick, the driving force behind Not Boring Capital, has always been driven by three passions: meeting and talking to smart people, reading and writing, and investing. These passions have culminated in the creation of a fund that not only invests capital but also leverages the power of storytelling to drive success. It is a testament to the fact that when these passions align, remarkable things can happen.
In a world where content platforms are essential for effective communication, Medium has emerged as a prominent player. With 85 to 100 million monthly active users, Medium ranks 88th in terms of website traffic globally. This impressive reach allows writers and investors like Packy to share their insights and stories with a vast audience.
Medium's growth and success are further highlighted by its funding rounds, raising a total of $132 million. Despite not needing additional funding at the moment, Medium remains open to future investment opportunities. This confidence in its future prospects underscores the platform's potential and its ability to attract and retain paying subscribers.
Mobile devices play a significant role in Medium's success, with 68% of its traffic coming from mobile users. This mobile-first approach aligns with the changing digital landscape, where users increasingly consume content on their smartphones and tablets. Additionally, Medium benefits from search engine traffic, with 49.56% of its visitors coming directly from search results.
In conclusion, Not Boring Capital and Medium are two entities that share a common thread: the power of storytelling. Both entities recognize the importance of connecting with audiences, whether it's through investing in companies with compelling narratives or providing a platform for writers to share their ideas. To leverage these insights and drive success, here are three actionable pieces of advice:
- 1. Embrace the power of storytelling: Whether you're an investor or a content creator, storytelling can be a powerful tool to engage and captivate your audience. Find unique angles and narratives that resonate with your target audience and use them to create a lasting impact.
- 2. Build and leverage networks: The strength of a network lies in its ability to amplify your reach and impact. By building a community around your work, you can tap into the collective knowledge and support of your audience. Similarly, platforms like Medium provide an opportunity to connect with a wider network of readers and potential investors.
- 3. Adapt to changing user behavior: As technology evolves, so do user preferences and behaviors. Stay ahead of the curve by embracing mobile-first approaches and optimizing your content for mobile devices. Additionally, pay attention to search engine optimization to ensure that your work is easily discoverable and accessible to a wider audience.
By combining these actionable insights with the power of storytelling and the reach of platforms like Medium, individuals and organizations can unlock new opportunities for growth, engagement, and success. Whether it's through investing in startups or sharing ideas, the possibilities are endless when you harness the potential of these interconnected worlds.
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