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 seeks to invest in companies with compelling narratives and help amplify their stories. With a focus on Seed through Series B companies, this fund occasionally makes pre-seed and growth-stage investments as well. Led by Packy McCormick, who believes that his investing prowess is enhanced by his writing, Not Boring Capital aims to create a powerful flywheel effect.

Fintech Takes the Lead: Unveiling the Winning Vertical

Within the verticals that Not Boring Capital explores, fintech emerges as the clear winner. With six investments totaling $525k, fintech has captured both the highest number of investments and the largest amount of dollars invested. Not Boring Capital has a particular interest in investing in fintech companies that leverage technology to disrupt the traditional financial industry.

Investment Strategy: Core, Explore, and Growth

Not Boring Capital adopts a three-pronged investment strategy, consisting of core, explore, and growth investments. The core investments, which make up approximately 75% of the total invested dollars, have the potential to yield significant returns and contribute to the fund's success. Explore investments, on the other hand, are smaller in size and aim to secure a seat in the next funding round or increase deal flow. Finally, growth investments are more conservative and typically involve later-stage companies with a lower ceiling but a higher floor.

The Power of Compounding: From Exxon to Apple

When comparing the market capitalization of the most valuable companies in the world over the years, the power of compounding becomes evident. In 2011, Exxon held the title of the most valuable company with a market cap in the low-$400 billion range. Today, Apple has surpassed that with a market cap of $2.4 trillion, nearly six times higher. This exemplifies the potential for exponential growth and substantial returns that Not Boring Capital seeks to capture through its investments.

The Collective Strength of Not Boring Capital's Network

Not Boring Capital recognizes the strength of its network, which extends beyond the fund's team. With approximately 60,000 people connected through the fund's portfolio companies, there is immense potential for collaboration and support. By leveraging the knowledge and influence of Not Boring readers, the fund aims to create a virtuous cycle where portfolio companies benefit from the insights and assistance of the broader community.

The Three Passions of Retirement: Meet, Read, and Invest

Packy McCormick, the driving force behind Not Boring Capital, has always had three passions in mind for retirement: meeting and conversing with intelligent individuals, reading and writing, and investing. With Glasp, an AI-powered application that enables users to summarize YouTube videos, Packy's vision of enhancing the "read and write" aspect of his retirement has taken a step forward. Glasp allows users to annotate and organize quotations and ideas, fostering cooperative learning and knowledge sharing.

Glasp's Mission: Breaking Down Information Silos

Glasp recognizes the issue of compartmentalization of information as a significant hurdle to progress. When individuals store their wisdom, understanding, and experiences solely in private spaces, such as note-taking apps, this knowledge becomes inaccessible once they pass away. To ensure intellectual advancement across generations, cooperative learning and knowledge sharing are essential. Glasp addresses this challenge by enabling users to highlight and annotate important passages, making it easier to absorb and reference key points in articles.

Actionable Advice: Three Steps Towards Enhanced Learning and Investing

1. Embrace Cooperative Learning: Like Glasp, foster an environment of cooperative learning where knowledge and insights are shared. Engage with communities, attend conferences, and participate in discussions to expand your intellectual horizons.

2. Develop a Reading and Writing Habit: Cultivate a habit of reading and writing to enhance your investment skills. By immersing yourself in diverse perspectives and articulating your thoughts, you can gain a deeper understanding of the markets and improve your ability to communicate your investment theses effectively.

3. Leverage Technology for Knowledge Management: Explore AI-powered tools like Glasp to streamline your learning and investment processes. By organizing and annotating relevant information, you can build a comprehensive knowledge base that facilitates better decision-making and maximizes your investment potential.

In conclusion, Not Boring Capital is revolutionizing venture capital by investing in companies with captivating narratives and leveraging the power of storytelling. With a focus on fintech and a diversified investment strategy, the fund aims to generate substantial returns. By embracing cooperative learning, leveraging AI-powered tools like Glasp, and nurturing a passion for reading and writing, investors can enhance their knowledge and investment acumen. Together, we can create a vibrant ecosystem where ideas flow freely, benefiting both investors and entrepreneurs alike.