[steventruong]

Couple of bullet points. Most experience entrepreneurs will say this too.

1. Accomplishments in academics or otherwise hold very low bearings in success as an entrepreneur. After all, most people don't have any problems building their prototype. It's getting people to actually use their prototype. He may be a genius at what he can do and by no means am I discounting that in any way, but definitely keep in mind that that alone does not account for success or failure. Its a mixture of other things. It certainly is helpful however.

2. 4 year plans should be thrown out the window. No entrepreneur should have a plan more than 6 months out. Maybe 12 at most. And potentially a grand vision down the road. A 4 year plan is bound to fail, change, and all sorts of other things. You don't know what is going to happen with the rest of the world, changes in tech, etc etc etc... 4 years is a lifetime and planning that far ahead and bound to guarantee none of the plans will come out as you envision them. Make shorter immediate plans and adjust as things progress.

3. Now for your actual question. If he truly is interested, have him network in the Valley (assuming he's located here) and get some introductions. If people will think he's brilliant as you say, they shouldn't have any issues making the introduction. If they do, there is a clear signal. Alternatively, have him post what he's doing on AngelList. Certainly if what he is doing is that important, it will garner some attention.

[moneyquestion]

Thanks. Angellist is the diamond in all of this rough that I was looking for.

Really appreciate your taking the time to respond