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Paul Fan
Calgary, Canada
·
Member since
Jan 2021
Active investor
Value-add investor
Long-term investor focused on great founders and product market fit. Connect with me on LinkedIn, blogger on startup investing. https://www.avgunicorn.com
Investments & reservations 34
Paul
invested
Good founder, interesting product that could become useful, noble mission. Strong gross margins, high growth with 9 LTV/CAC ratio. Patents help too. Risk is involved given the pre-revenue stage, but there figures to be a decent future here.
24 days ago
Paul
invested
Prominent investors in techstars, Jason Calacanis. Huge flier, but if it turns out to be the Duolingo of cooking, then it's got decent acquisition value. Founder seems to have had decent previous success too.
4 months ago
Paul
invested
great founder, great idea that will fundamentally benefit humanity. Hospitals could use this, but other applications such as offices, schools, and more spaces as well. Game changing potential
6 months ago
Paul
invested
Cohort of several of the strongest private investors makes for a good start. Although it may remove jobs, it frees up people to do more meaningful things in the world. I liked the founder, his authenticity and humility in openly admitting what he didn't know along the way was refreshing.
6 months ago
Paul
invested
When I first saw this company Geoship I was blown away. It changed what I thought about housing, and realized how in North America housing, urban planning and neighborhoods and infrastructure is all planned wrong. I wanted to live in one of these myself. But, there could be some regulatory hurdles getting this into standard urban neighborhoods. So, this project will take some time. But the science behind it, the design, it is all so cool. I watched the videos of the founders and see some intelligent founders with passion and know-how. I think this will be a longer term vision, and if successful, could fundamentally change the very homes that we live in.
7 months ago
Paul
invested
taking a flier - lots of competition and hardware cost, but certainly, if a market position can be established, this will end up doing well
7 months ago
Paul
invested
I watched a few of Ryan's interviews that were publicly available on youtube. He seems like a winner; smart, driven, focused on what matters and what doesn't. Email marketing seems to be an archaic method, and text based marketing that is tailored may be the future. Receiving messages for stuff that I want seems like personalized service rather than annoying sales. The founder and idea is what lead me here. It also doesn't hurt that Ben Horowitz is a believer too.
8 months ago
Paul
invested
If this takes off in India that Ycombinator seems to think, then it will become like a patreon or other content creator company. It's always nice to see the founder solving a personal problem, and teaming up with someone with some previous success in entrepreneurship.
8 months ago
Paul
invested
Currently using the waterpik in addition to floss aids. The product seems like a better mouse trap. If distribution and execution are achieved, then this product could become mainstream
8 months ago
Paul
invested
Great founder, passionate, altruistic goal, committed. This has the potential to explode if execution is done correctly. Moving for the long-term shows a lot. Very impressed with the available interviews out there. Regretted not investing the previous round, and now seeing another raise, am now in.
8 months ago
Paul
invested
This will be a very long-term one, if it can crack this market. But with the sleek design, it is certainly possible. The founder has been at this for a long time and is very passionate about making that an actual creation
11 months ago
Paul
invested
The evaluation of the founder is the most important quality, and the founder seems to be taking calculated risks with a clear vision in mind, shows self-awareness and humility in willingness to change directions and comfortably admit to mistakes. Having a combination of persistent confidence and humble self-awareness is unusual. The founder seems like he’s going to be a winner.
Having reputable investors on board like angel list and others. Repeat investor due to proof of explosive revenue growth from 100k to 400k to 1m since 2020. Valuation is reasonable. Airbnb and Uber thrived during the previous recession when users wanted extra supplementary income to support themselves. In this period of high inflation, muted growth and potential recession, supply of willingness to advertise may actually increase, with individual users preferring income over aesthetics. The expansion into scooters, EV charging stations, robotics, and perhaps more, could also actually increase the total obtainable market. If the product technology can contain to lead to positive results for the advertisers on the demand side, then this will have the possibilities of being an untapped unicorn. CPM is only $2.10 per advertiser campaign for OOH advertising; this is rivalling the levels of Facebook and Google, in an unsaturated blue ocean market. Hence the high 70-80% customer retention rate. If the numbers can indeed hold up for the long-term, the CLV/CAC ratio is a stunning ~17, which is spectacular. High CLV and CAC; transparent and hard to find. This leaves a lot of buffers even if costs go up to acquire more customers, as the lifetime value will likely remain high provided there is a positive EV on advertising spend. Continued investment from multiple reputable investors. Potential positive network effect. This may not be a popular investment due to the perceived small TAM, which could increase to further untapped opportunities. Case in point the electric vehicle charging stations in advertising. Profitability in 2025 would be good for a technology company if this is indeed achieved, as there is some risk in the cash burn. But this seems like a big winner years down the line.
Re: am also an investor for future follow up rounds
11 months ago
Paul
invested
The founder is doing this from a personal pain point, to try and ensure that other disadvantaged groups don't end up in her previous unfortunate place. Founder seems to have that simultaneous chip on her shoulder and compassion. Being with Backstage Capital, that can't hurt of course, seeing trends and hiring decisions. If this can take a niche from LinkedIn for the long-term, then this company has the chance to do well.
about 1 year ago
Paul
invested
Personal problem that arose from inappropriate content to minors. There’s some supply chain risk and heavy cash burn, but the product seems amazing, with a strong founding team that has had prior success with product development. The test now is to see if the product ends up being a niche product or becomes a mainstream product.
about 1 year ago
Paul
invested
It's an interesting niche idea. This will become more prevalent in the future particularly for those who only need cars sometimes. Constantly going to rent a car is tedious, and having a car for the day rather than just a uber ride is convenient too. Founder seems to be having vision and character. Valuations will become more feasible when greater growth arrives.
about 1 year ago
Paul
invested
These two are impressive, overcoming adversity and looking like they could be one of the more renowned agents in this new trend. This long-term trend in mental health self-care combined with the average user spending 6 hours a day on their phone, could lead to significant stickiness and long-term recurring revenue. I don't see therapy, counselling, etc going away any time, and this could be one of the big leading players in the next several years.
about 1 year ago
Paul
invested
I was looking to buy one of these for myself as I work from home. The product is hitting a niche but expanding market with work from home. With efficiency and lower prices, this could hit a greater market besides those with terminal pain. If this starts to interest the average work from home person, this company could explode. Also a good target for buyout from other companies such as standing desk companies or office furniture companies.
about 1 year ago
Paul
invested
Multiple co-founders with experience in the space. Bootstrapped. Discounted valuation. Explosive revenue growth. Tapping into new coming trends with work from home backyards, great for those with families. Previous backings. Great concept, has the chance to skyrocket or be acquired by a larger home builder.
about 1 year ago
Paul
invested
The ember fund has some stickiness by offering a little bit of bitcoin every day, so users will come back for that. It is in an industry that will continue to grow, particularly with what is happening on the macro level in the economy, further leading to investors looking for alternative ways to preserve wealth from inflation, rising housing prices and interest rates. Additionally the CEO seems like the right CEO; to the manner, focused on doing work the "right" way rather than looking perfect in interviews. I suspect future rounds in the future as well as an acquisition in a few years when crypto warms up again out of a bear market.
over 1 year ago
Paul
invested
Taking a flier on a potential revamp to social media as right now it primarily makes people worse off. Add to the fact people are addicted, may as well just and do it in a healthy manner.
over 1 year ago
Paul
invested
Real estate transactions are very inefficient and behind in the times. This model can change how users buy and sell homes. This is also an attractive takeover target by a larger real estate company.
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Gaming is now becoming more popular as more people are now on screens for our lives. The founder is a player himself, so he has ideas about what is exciting for players themselves. Esports is here to stay, whether we like it or not.
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Sneaky good idea - advertising on apps has taken advantage of the users, and made us sacrificial lambs, returning nothing in the process. The CEO has extensive experience, and seems like someone with a vision in unearthing advertising via a niche market. With user engagement certainly to remain, if a high enough ROI is earned by the advertising companies, then this company has the potential to explode.
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Passionate founders, this app has the chance to become one of the go-to apps if it succeeds. Holding cryptocurrency and getting interest in DeFI environment where the investments are requiring minimal management is the way to go.
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Company has the potential to fundamentally improve consumer confidence in food. There are too many recalls now, if this succeeds, this helps everyone
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Explosive revenue growth, environmental trend captured, reputable backed investors
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Successful founder of previous venture. The idea is an interesting one that fits within an emerging niche within the younger generations. It's something that I could see myself doing, with more and more of the younger generation starting to value experiences over material possessions in our allocation of dollars.
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Explosive revenue growth, healthy for the environment. When you have multiple reputable sharks from shark tank invest, that says a lot.
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Self-made founder, did not rely on others. Giving, generous tone, coming from a place of legitimacy.
Several reputable venture capitalists all invested. If that happens, rarely would many great minds independently come to the same wrong conclusion. Untapped market in the underserved who have not had a opportunity previously to make a difference
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
After reviewing the public information and videos, I really think this founder is going to succeed. Pick the founder over the idea or market. Driven, has vision, and is a person who is going to be a winner.
Company is also in a contrarian traditional advertising space via OOH, that is going to be revamped for the better, for companies paying for advertising, the drivers, and consumers. Would have invested more if I could have.
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Developers will be the future backbone of society as we know it, for better or worse. They are the brain of many facets of life. Multiple reputable investors, outrageous revenue growth, explosive idea with the potential to exponentially improve developers and the rest of society's life as a huge byproduct. This is one of those opportunities you would have loved to invest in 10 years ago when crowdfunding wasn't available.
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
Grants from Department of Energy. Potentially game changing in how we use and think about energy. An idea that seems ridiculous and not feasible, but counter intuitively, like many other successful life changing ideas, end up being genius move
over 2 years ago
Paul
invested
-Disrupting an ancient business model
-Good growing economy in Dallas as well as Texas
-Good founders success and relevant experience
-Good revenue growth and continued revenue growth in Texas
-Getting rid of inefficient and ineffective middle person transactions
-Better, cheaper, faster
-Beneficial to the ecosystem: saving both buyer and seller in time and cost
-Vertical integration
-Successful reputable investors including Google's venture arm
over 2 years ago
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