An Angel's Web: How to See the Best Deals First
#107 Angelinvesting.it - From idea to Series A - Weekly Newsletter
3 minutes to reflect
For 13 years, I've been weaving a web that might seem strange to most angel investors. While everyone obsesses about due diligence frameworks and investment theses, I've been focused on something entirely different: seeing the best deals first.
You can have the sharpest investment criteria in the world, but if you're only seeing mediocre deals, you're still picking the best apple from a mediocre basket.
Success in deal sourcing comes down to one thing: being top of mind.
When friends, family, founders, investors, or managers stumble upon an exciting venture opportunity, you want to be their first call. Not just another name in their contact list, but the obvious person to reach out to - like calling the fire department when you see smoke.
To achieve this, I've focused on two pillars:
Building an authentic reputation as a fair, straight-shooting angel investor who always supports entrepreneurs
Continuously expanding my network of meaningful relationships (because life's too short for superficial ones)
For the first pillar, my approach is simple and constant:
Review decks and documentation, always trying to provide as much value as possible
Make introductions that could be mutually beneficial, even when there's nothing in it for me
Keep my WhatsApp open almost 24/7 for portfolio companies as their consigliere
For the second pillar, I've built what I like to call my "relationship maximizing machine":
Media: Using socials to amplify core messages
This newsletter with its 1,400 loyal readers (at least 2 deals originated here)
PRE-SEED ITALIA, a LinkedIn newsletter featuring a pre-seed project every 2 weeks (3,000+ subscribers). In 2025, I aim to revamp the effort.
LinkedIn as my reference social platform (I wrote about it in detail here)
Live Events: Nothing beats real-time interactions
LasagnaVC - where I cook lasagna for 30 people: VCs, founders, and promising students getting privileged access to innovation (my mother's recipe makes networking better)
Bolder, Faster, Better - launching February: a free online seminar with top international entrepreneurs and VCs meeting Italian founders. The message? Think bigger. Register here
Dealflow Partners: Built strong relationships with exceptional organizations.
The list of great organizations I interact with on a weekly basis is long, but a few relationships have become more formal:
LP in Firedrop and a French pre-seed VC launching soon
Venture Partner role at Exceptional Ventures
Board member for Club Degli Investitori
Finally, a new exciting project! A private community I have been working on for over 2 years:
Angels Sharing Society (ASS🍑😀). Launching in 2025: an invite-only WhatsApp community where angel investors share investment opportunities. No fees, no costs, no hidden agendas other than helping great entrepreneurs succeed alongside their investors.
2 resources to advance to pro
1. A tweet that made me ponder a lot
While the words may sound inspiring, there is often immense struggle and sacrifice involved.
Entrepreneur's mind > ruthless pragmatism
Athlete's body > grinding discipline
Artist's soul > constant discomfort for what could be
2. And another one…
Don't be afraid to be highly disagreeable - this is apparently a key overlooked trait of many successful CEOs. The problem with this theory is that too many jerks feel morally justified.
1 reason to smile
We survived the darkest weeks. Sun, bing it on.
GO BUILD!
Januaruy is already gone
Simone