[tptacek]

You probably can't invest in startups even if you want to. SEC Rule 501 limits sales of securities to "Accredited Investors"; to qualify, individuals must have over $1MM in net worth, or $200k in income for each of the preceding two years and a reasonable expectation of the same level of income this year.

[tiredkid]

I'm an accredited investor. The amount I listed was the amount of my liquid cash I was looking to invest; entirely separate from my long term investments which are invested in places where I've already signed the paperwork assuring them I'm accredited etc.

[pg]

If you're an accredited investor that's different. Just come to Demo Day at YC this August. (Send me an email to get an invitation.) Though some of the startups at DDay will go straight to series A rounds, most will raise angel money, and most of those would take investments as small as $20k.

[tptacek]

Nice. Good luck!