[danieltillett]

I "invest" in new startups because I want to help the next generation. I put invest in quotation marks because I don't expect to make any money (I will be happy if I break even), but I do want to give back and create the environment that I never had access to. I know others feel the same.

[KGIII]

Some of my investment is to empower people that I like. Some is just to help them over a temporary financial hurdle. Some is more like a gift than an expectation of a financial reward and, honestly, a loss is the expected outcome.

I'd also add something to the general topic. I never expected to sell my company and I think that actually helped. I drew a salary and kept my finances distinct from the legal entity that was the company. As it was I was the only owner, there were no investors to please, so profits went into growing and securing the business. Note: I consider sharing the profits with employees to be part of business growth and security.

That meant I had complete ownership and a healthy business, without much real debt. This was attractive and it was quite surprising, sort of, when the offer came in. It was only sort of surprising because there had been a few rumors about it.

So, I'm of the mind that the mentality drove the process and the process influenced the results. Of course, there is survivorship bias and I'm just a single data point.

[kdscruggs]

Congrats on the sale! Very noble of you, big fan of your approach. Ultimately, my goal is to eventually do the very same (give good people their chance to flourish and create good business).

Have you seen any correlation to the "no pressure"/generous aspect of your investments to the success or failure of said investment? My feeling is that the lack of stress attached to the investment may make it easier for the founder to achieve their goals. No anxiety about failure to pay you back = no self fulfilling prophecy. Probably depends on the founder.

[KGIII]

No, but I don't have any frame of reference other than this. I treat every investment as a potential total loss, at least in this area. So, I don't really pressure or tell people what to do. So far, it's barely profitable.

[amelius]

> I "invest" in new startups because I want to help the next generation

That sounds noble. But, concretely, you want to help people make SaaS products like Storemapper (mentioned in the article)? I don't want to sound demeaning, but is that really such a noble goal?

[danieltillett]

I am not trying to be noble, just trying to change things where I live for the better (I am not in SV, I am in Australia).

When I started there were zero angel investors and next to zero VCs. Things have got a lot better, but we still have a long way to go.

[bacheson1293]

Helping others realize the wonders of financial independence so that they can experience more happiness by spending time with friends, helping others etc.

Sure he's not curing cancer but there is a tremendous amount of nobility in his future actions.

Look beneath the surface my friend :)

[adventured]

> Is that really such a noble goal?

That comes across as a pretty negative thing to say, the implication you're hinting at and not saying in a forthright manner.

Noble goal is an inherently subjective concept. Your definition of that, will vary from everyone else. It makes very little sense to challenge someone's actions on that basis.

[imron]

> I know others feel the same.

This is the reason I would do it if I ever make FU money.

[moretai]

What are some startups you invested that you think will help the future generation?

Any startups that come to mind that have helped this generation?