Introducing Not Boring Capital: How Glasp Enhances the Investment Experience

Introducing Not Boring Capital: How Glasp Enhances the Investment Experience

Not Boring Capital is an $8 million venture fund that invests in companies with compelling stories and supports them in telling those stories. Led by Packy McCormick, the fund primarily focuses on Seed through Series B companies, with occasional investments in pre-seed and growth-stage companies. McCormick's unique combination of investing and writing skills has allowed him to excel in both fields, creating a powerful flywheel effect.

One of the fund's leading verticals is fintech, with six investments totaling $525k. Fintech has proven to be a lucrative sector, offering significant potential returns. However, Not Boring Capital also explores other sectors, making smaller investments to gain access to upcoming rounds or increase deal flow. While these investments may have high upside, they are not expected to individually return the fund. Lastly, the fund also considers safer, later-stage investments with a lower ceiling but a higher floor. This diversification strategy ensures that the fund has a balanced portfolio capable of generating returns across various stages.

The exponential growth of companies like Apple has emphasized the importance of investing in promising ventures. In 2011, Exxon held the title of the most valuable company with a market cap in the low-$400 billion range. Today, Apple's market cap stands at a staggering $2.4 trillion, nearly six times higher. By identifying and supporting companies with significant growth potential, Not Boring Capital aims to capture similar success stories.

What sets Not Boring Capital apart from other venture firms is its extensive network of 60,000 people. This network includes readers of Packy McCormick's popular newsletter, Not Boring, who actively engage with the fund's portfolio companies. This symbiotic relationship, where readers help portfolio companies and vice versa, strengthens the overall ecosystem and creates a virtuous cycle of support.

McCormick's three passions—meeting and talking to smart people, reading and writing, and investing—have converged in his role at Not Boring Capital. To enhance his reading and writing experience, he utilizes Glasp, a browser extension that allows him to highlight and take notes on articles in real-time. Previously, he would have to switch between multiple windows, using a note-taking app to capture his thoughts. Glasp streamlines this process, enabling him to be fully present in the moment while reading.

Glasp is more than just a read-it-later app; it is a read-it-now app. Rather than saving articles for later consumption, McCormick can highlight and take notes directly within the browser window. This immediate engagement fosters active learning and ensures that ideas are not lost or forgotten. Additionally, Glasp provides a public profile where McCormick's highlights and notes are visible to his followers. This transparency allows for a deeper connection with his audience and encourages the exchange of ideas.

By sharing his reading habits on Glasp, McCormick expands his intellectual horizons. Engaging with individuals from different algorithmic circles exposes him to articles that he might not have encountered otherwise. This collective discovery enhances his own learning experience and broadens his perspective.

Glasp has also revolutionized the way McCormick curates content for his audience. Instead of manually updating his website with the latest articles, Glasp's widget seamlessly integrates with his Notion page, the hosting platform for his website. This integration ensures that his audience not only enjoys his writing but also gains insights into his reading and consumption habits. McCormick recognizes the value of curation as an essential part of his role as a creator, both in his weekly newsletter and on his website.

With Glasp, McCormick finds himself reading and taking notes on more articles than ever before. Rather than procrastinating and saving articles for later, he now seizes the moment to read, take notes, and have a backlog of ideas waiting for him when he sits down to write. This newfound efficiency allows him to make the most of his reading and writing time and ensures that his insights are fresh and relevant.

In conclusion, Not Boring Capital's unique approach to investing, combined with Packy McCormick's passion for meeting smart people, reading, and writing, has positioned the fund for success. By incorporating Glasp into his workflow, McCormick has enhanced his ability to consume and analyze information, providing a more enriching experience for both himself and his audience. For aspiring investors and creators, three actionable pieces of advice can be derived from this case study:

1. Embrace the power of networking: Building a strong network of like-minded individuals can provide valuable insights and opportunities that may not be available otherwise.

2. Prioritize active learning: Rather than passively consuming content, engage with it in real-time. Tools like Glasp enable immediate highlighting and note-taking, ensuring that valuable ideas are captured and retained.

3. Embrace transparency and curation: Sharing your reading habits and curated content with your audience fosters a deeper connection and enhances your role as a creator. Platforms like Glasp facilitate this process, making it easier to curate and share content seamlessly.

By following these actionable steps, investors and creators can unlock their full potential and create a positive impact in their respective fields.