I

©2019 by StartupCamp. All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted in any form or by any means— electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations
in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the
publisher.

Published in Lee, New Hampshire, by StartupCamp, LLC. StartupCamp,

StartupCamp.com, RagingBull, and RagingBull.com are registered
trademarks. For media or speaking requests, please contact
Lauren Brennfoerder at lauren@startupcamp.com.

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Contents

Why Should You Read This eBook?������������������������������������������������� 1

About The Authors �����������������������������������������������������������������������������2

Sector 1: Green Technology�������������������������������������������������������������4

Sector 2: New Foods �������������������������������������������������������������������������8

Sector 3: Health Tech ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 13

Sector 4: Automation/AI���������������������������������������������������������������� 17

Sector 5: Cybersecurity �����������������������������������������������������������������22

Sector 6: Niche Networking���������������������������������������������������������� 26

What Comes Next?���������������������������������������������������������������������������32

III
Why Should You Read This eBook?

If you are ready to actually profit off your money and hard work—

If you are ready to live life on your own terms, travel, relax, live it up—

If you are ready to enjoy the power, security, and other fruits of great wealth—

Then this book is for you.

Ten years ago, I set out on a mission to help ordinary people increase their wealth.

The culmination of that mission is RagingBull, where we unlocked the secrets of expert stock traders for
everyday Americans.

Stock trading is just the tip of the iceberg of wealth generation. But for almost a century, the other means
were off-limits to anyone who didn’t already possess enormous wealth.

That all changed just a few years ago with the JOBS Act. Now, the single most lucrative path for wealth
creation—early-stage investing—is open to everyone.

Now, plenty of people will tell you that Angel Investing is just too risky. And it’s true that most startups fail.
But there are thousands of serious angels out there making their fortunes betting on startups. So what’s the
difference between the naysayers and the pros?

Successful angels know where to look.

And with the 6 Startup Sectors That Will Define A Decade, you will, too.

In this comprehensive e-book, our team of elite angels has put together a list of our six favorite fast-
growing industries for picking startups. Our research has revealed that these industries are going to
generate the next wave of ultra-profitable startups.

And if you’re serious about finding and investing in life-changing startups - if you want access to the kind of
deals that could make you a millionaire in a matter of years - then check out our private deal flow service,
Angel Investing Insider.

Here’s to investing in your future,

Jeff Bishop, Jason Bond, Nate Stavseth, Allan Marshall, and Chris Graebe

1
About The Authors

Chris Graebe
Originally a pastor with a busy schedule, Chris needed a way to support his
family of five. First, he turned to entrepreneurship, launching multiple successful
ecommerce companies and making millions on Amazon. From his success,
Chris realized that wealth should not be reserved for the elite. Since then, he
has made it his mission to teach others how they can transform their lives with
entrepreneurship and angel investing.

Jeff Bishop
Jeff Bishop was a struggling entrepreneur before he became one of the top
options traders in the world. He went on to found RagingBull, an organization
dedicated to educating traders. While he was building RagingBull, Bishop found
a passion for early-stage investing and angel investing. Over the past decade, he
has been involved in dozens of deals and has seen many of his startups go on to
IPO or have immensely profitable exits.

Jason Bond
Jason Bond was the first in his family to go to college... and the first to feel the
weight of student loans. He quickly realized that, even with multiple extra jobs, he
would be in debt his entire life on a teacher’s salary. Bond dedicated himself to
trading 100+ hours a week, cracked the code for winning small-cap and options
trades, and became the #1 teacher of traders in the world. His goal is to replicate
this success with Angel Investing.

Nate Stavseth
After graduating college in 2013, Nate Stavseth applied his entrepreneurial spirit
to RagingBull and helped build it into a $100 million company. But the real money,
he learned, was being made by the angels investing in early-stage companies.
Nate’s on a mission to teach as many people the angel investing secrets that have
made him and his partners wealthy beyond their wildest dreams.

Allan Marshall
Allan Marshall grew up watching his parents work hard but struggle to make ends
meet. He was determined for things to be different for his family. After graduating
from high school, he got a job as a delivery driver. One year later, he was running
his own business with 115 drivers. He went on to found XPO Logistics, currently a $7
bn company. Since leaving XPO, Allan has been a full-time Angel Investor, whose
specialty is taking companies to IPO.

2
 INVESTOR VISION 2020

6tup
Star
Sec tors e
that will defin
a decade

By Jeff Bishop, Jason Bond, Nate Stavseth,

Allan Marshall, and Chris Graebe

3
 S ECTOR 1

Green
Technology
By Ch r is Graebe

I’m sure you’re familiar with green technology. For about twenty years now people
have been talking about the coming green revolution and “the energy of the future”.
And for just about that entire time, oil and gas prices have plummeted, their supplies
have soared, and our green revolution has been slow in coming.

Or so it would seem. Make no mistake, fortunes have been made many times over in
the world of green technology. That includes green energy, environmentally friendly
products, and software aimed at improving efficiency.

Marin Katusa, one of the most recent celebrity angels to visit The Boardroom, has
even said that he doesn’t invest in green energy anymore (specifically wind and solar),
because the industries are too mature.

But there is a whole world of investing opportunities beyond wind and solar, and we
think this market is really just starting to open up.

As a society, we are increasingly aware of our impact on the environment and the very
real financial and human consequences. Carbon pollution (the culprit behind global
warming) is just one aspect of this. Plastic waste, e-waste, and the agricultural waste
are increasingly impacting human behaviors and wallets.

Just look at a recent move by China to stop accepting American plastic waste (which
we shipped over as recycling). Suddenly, there are tanker ships of used plastic just
bouncing from port to port, looking for someone to take their cargo.

Events like this drive businesses and consumers to find or create solutions.

“Green” alternatives have been around for decades, we believe this market is only
just gaining a foothold. The key? Green does not need to mean “more expensive” any
more.

Just look at the success of hybrid and electric vehicles like the Toyota Prius, Chevy
Volt, and Tesla 3 (which currently holds the title of the fastest selling car in the U.S. &
4
Canada). These vehicles offered increased fuel economy and quality at affordable
prices

In fact, there are over $1 trillion worth of cost-positive energy saving cuts that
businesses could make. And there’s a new wave of startups stepping up to the plate to
innovate “clean” solutions that leverage green technology to solve old problems.

So what do we think the green technology startups of the future will look like?

There are three categories of startups that we’ve identified under the label of “green”
technology: energy, software, and consumer products.

Green Energy

Green energy has been a hot startup vertical for ten if not twenty years. And while
much of this market has matured, there is still a huge wave of innovation to come. As
of 2017, the green energy industry had a valuation of $1,486.3 billion with a healthy
growth rate of 4.9% projected to 2025.

With the projected growth in the green energy industry coupled with our increasing
need for its services, green energy startups are poised to make major money.

Early-stage startups are working on everything from turning algae into fuel to
harnessing cold fusion. We’re particularly interested in energy storage technology, bio-
energy, and waste-to-energy startups.

One of the startups fighting to revolutionize green energy is Fervo Energy. Barely 3
years old, Fervo Energy is an enhanced geothermal startup that is commercializing
proprietary technology to own, develop and operate geothermal assets.

While Fervo Energy only just finished their first round of funding in 2019, which brought
in $11M, Fervo’s innovative techniques have already caught the eye of one of the
world’s richest entities. In 2018, Bill Gates’ clean energy fund, Breakthrough Energy
Ventures, selected Fervo Energy to be one of the first startups that will receive a
fraction of the group’s $1B green energy fund.

Energy storage technology is going to continue to march forward as we move away

from fossil fuels. We expect to see strong acquisition prospects for battery tech
startups, including fuel cells and advanced lithium ion technology, from the automotive
industry. Moreover, with our national energy grid in shambles, we expect to see a
strong push from the government and military sectors to develop storage technology.

Bio-energy and waste-to-energy startups are nothing new, either. What has changed
in recent years is our ability to understand and manipulate genetic code, along with
the dawning awareness that the life forms which have been generating and storing
energy for billions of years (cough, plants, cough) are incomparably more efficient
than anything we could engineer from scratch.

5
 Green Software

No discussion of emerging verticals would be complete without mentioning software.

The green technology industry wouldn’t be close to where it is today without the
software that has come out of the green software companies that make it possible.

Many of the inefficiencies that cost people and businesses money also result in energy
waste or pollution.

That’s where the next generation of software startups come into play.

Take Hara, for example. Hara creates software that tells companies how much power
they consume. With Hara’s green software, users can reduce energy costs and risks to
enhance sustainability and improve operating profits.

Hara’s innovative way to keep track of your carbon footprint has resulted in a major
return. Since their start, Hara has raised $45M from 3 funding rounds, and they were
recently acquired by Accruent. Now, the company boasts an impressive customer list
which includes Aflac, Coca-Cola, Safeway, HP, and even the city of Las Vegas.

Another startup aiming to revolutionize the impact companies’ carbon footprints and
bottom lines is Choose Energy, an energy company from 2008 that was reincarnated
as a true software startup in 2015

Now with a brand new board of investors and an entirely revamped purpose, Choose
Energy simplifies shopping for natural gas and renewable energy plans for homes and
businesses. Their uniquely curated software uses AI technology to determine the best
plan for a customer’s wants and needs.

After ranking second on Investopedia’s “10 Fastest Growing Green Startups in 2019,”
and multiple appearances on The TODAY Show, Newsweek, and the Chicago Tribune,
Choose Energy is now the second largest online energy marketplace in the United
States.

Green Consumer Product

Finally, new buying habits (e-commerce), consumer sentiments, and technology are
shaking up even the most entrenched consumer product markets.

This industry is an angel investor’s playground. In the United States alone, consumers
spent $130 billion on sustainable goods in 2019. This number is projected to sky-rocket
by $20 billion more to reach $150 billion in 2021.

What do we mean when we say green consumer product?

Alternatives to plastic (such as compostable utensils and paper straws) are popping
up virtually overnight. Electric vehicles such as bikes and scooters are replacing
6
gas-powered vehicles in urban centers. With the new implementation of the plastic
bag ban in multiple states across the U.S., reusable grocery and ziploc baggies are
becoming commonplace.

One of our favorite startups in The Boardroom deal flow epitomizes this trend. This
startup—whose name we cannot disclose—has created tablets that turn tap water into
household cleaning agents.

This startup is a perfect example of how a clean product can benefit consumers and
the environment. The tablets can be used in any container, from a bucket to an old
spray bottle, eliminating plastic waste. Because the tablets are much lighter and
smaller than full bottles of cleaning product, they are cheaper to ship and store, which
passes savings on to the consumer. Finally, they can be sold as a subscription-based
product, which adds a layer of convenience for the customer—as well as a guaranteed
revenue stream for the company.

What we are looking at here is a startup that is leveraging existing technologies

to create efficiency. And that’s where we think the big wins will come in 2020, and
beyond. Not necessarily mighty technological breakthroughs, but “cleaner,” more
clever approaches to consumer products that have traditionally created waste.
the environment. The tablets can be used in any container, from a bucket to an old
spray bottle, eliminating plastic waste. Because the tablets are much lighter and
smaller than full bottles of cleaning product, they are cheaper to ship and store, which
passes savings on to the consumer. Finally, they can be sold as a subscription-based
product, which adds a layer of convenience for the customer—as well as a guaranteed
revenue stream for the company.

What we are looking at here is a startup that is leveraging existing technologies

to create efficiency. And that’s where we think the big wins will come in 2020, and
beyond. Not necessarily mighty technological breakthroughs, but “cleaner,” more
clever approaches to consumer products that have traditionally created waste.

Final Word
The green revolution has been slow in coming, but it does seem like we have finally
reached a technological and social breaking point.

While there will be plenty of investment opportunities with traditionally “green”

businesses (aka wind and solar), we think the real wins will come as new technologies
and materials offer both economic and environmental benefits.

7
 S ECTOR 2

New Foods
By Ja s on Bond

The idea of new food products and services is nothing new. For over a century, people
have been applying science to create new food products and agricultural systems.

Dippin’ Dots, anyone?

The New Foods sector was officially born in the new millennium as food modification
reached a new level, thanks to advances in technology and shifts in consumer choices.

New Food, also known as “Innovative Foods,” is a category comprised of agri-food

tech startups who’ve discovered unique products and ingredients that offer new
alternatives to proteins, meats, sugars, and flavor enhancers (just to name a few).

But when I’m talking about “New Food,” I’m referring to a broader category including
innovations within the ag and food space. We’re seeing new kinds of growing,
harvesting, preparing, delivering, and consuming all across the board.

There have been a couple of well-known New Food unicorns in recent memory, like
BeyondMeat, the Impossible Burger, and Ripple Ice Cream. The Impossible Burger, for
instance, has pioneered an entire market that’s moving mainstream, with McDonald’s
and Burger King menus now offering Impossible meat substitutes.

But we believe this space is just getting started, and here’s why. The driving force
behind this new trend is the shifting demand of consumer habits. More people are
demanding more of their food. They want healthy, flavorful, and convenient options
that are made sustainably and without GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

Startups within the New Food category are sprouting up everywhere, increasing in
number by 60% in 2018. The most successful foodie startups raised $516 million that
year alone.

With New Foods hitting the mainstream, and consumer consciousness around health
and sustainability increasing, we predict these trends will only accelerate over the next
decade. Needless to say, some of last year’s largest deals went down in the New Food
category, a sure sign of some serious profit to be made.
8
Here’s what we’re looking for in New Food startups:

New Food & Beverage Products

New Food is all about creating unique products to meet consumer’s needs. And we’re
seeing consumer demands changing at a faster pace now than ever. This is in part due
to our expanding understanding of nutrition as a society. Protein-rich and vegan foods
are in particularly high demand.

Since studies have exposed that meat is one of the chief culprits of cardiovascular
disease, as well as being responsible for 15% of overall greenhouse gas emissions,
replacement foods have rushed in to meet consumer demands.

As I briefly noted above, Impossible Foods has made quite a ruckus over the past year
or so with their Impossible Burger. That phenomenon hit all of America seemingly
overnight. Curious customers lined up in participating burger joints just to be in on
the new thing. Beyond Meat has pulled off a similar stunt with their plant-based meat
alternative, which boasts an impressive nutritional profile.

Other Innovative Food startups, like Miraculex and Sugarlogix, have created
alternative sweetener options to address similar health crises.

But there is still a world of healthy food options that have yet to hit the mainstream.
The obvious suspects are insect-based proteins and foods made from algae and
seaweed. While it might have sounded crazy a few years ago to suggest that
Americans would soon be munching on crickets and seaweed, the same could be said
for a fake meat burger at McDonalds.

Insect-based protein powders are already readily available and slowly creeping into
the American diet. According to 2013 insect-protein startup CricketFlours, crickets are
pound for pound the most sustainable and complete protein on the planet. Cricket
protein is 2000x more energy efficient to produce than beef protein. Their powdered
food product is versatile, flavorful, and, most importantly, not gross.

A similar case can be made for seaweed. You have probably already heard of
“crunchy” America’s favorite superfood, Spirulina, which is really just a freshwater
strand of blue-green algae. But many of the benefits of Spirulina (cough, pond scum,
cough), which is high in iron, B vitamins, and antioxidants, are shared by its seaweed
cousins. And with the global seaweed market growing at 14% annually, entrepreneurs
are stepping up to the plate to help deliver new and interesting seaweed-based
products.

The big picture trend line with New Food products can be explained like this: cricket
and seaweed foods sound weird and a little gross, but they’re widely consumed by
most of the world (and they were at one time in America, too). I believe that the real
promise of New Foods over the next ten years isn’t in discovering or inventing new
foods, it’s in rediscovering them. Natural alternatives are always going to be better for
9
 the body and more sustainable.

I’m not trying to beat down Impossible Burgers… But new research does suggest that
Impossible Burgers might be pretty tough to digest (I wouldn’t say impossible, but…).

The other thing I love about this category of startups is that they are addressing
multiple consumer demands simultaneously: They offer healthier, more sustainable,
and (often) tastier alternatives to traditional food products. They are satisfying both
needs and wants, and they’re about to break out like you’ve never imagined.

Bring on the crickets.

New Agricultural Systems

I don’t mean to scare you, but according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture
Organization, the earth’s population is predicted to jump up to 9B by the year
2050. That means that we need to increase food production by 70% in order to feed
everyone. That’s… a lot.

On top of that, the agriculture industry is facing rising costs to production, shortages
in labor, land management inefficiencies, and food waste. Not to mention a newly
agitated consumer base, demanding to know every detail of where their food comes
from. Farmers of the world have a lot on weighing on their shoulders, to say the least.

Thankfully, we’ve seen a flux of Agtech startups popping up to offer solutions. Startups
like EarthSense have worked to develop a robot that collects agricultural data using
a variety of sensors. It tracks plants’ health, physiology, and stress responses, while
converting field data into specific and actionable information about plant-traits.

And take a look at Verdical. It’s an indoor automated gardening system that allows
customers to grow their own plants and herbs with just one touch of a button. This
frees up restaurants and farm-to-table startups, by getting rid of the middle man and
creating their own supply to sell directly to customers. Verdical allows urban spaces to
become life-sustaining places to source their own local food.

A growing population and a less predictable climate make fertile ground for problem-
solving, and that is the basis for all successful startups.

New Food Distribution Systems

We’re seeing the rise of subscription product services in nearly every industry. So of
course, New Food is no exception. Successful startups like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh
allow customers to order meal-kit boxes stocked with everything needed for dinner
that night, on a subscription basis. Or if customers wanted to get a bit more personal
with it, they could order grass-fed and finished beef products locally, from farm-to-
table distributors like Oregon Valley Farms.
10
Or, consider the newer bridge-gapping restaurateurs, like Modern Market, Dog Haus,
and Luna Grill, taking up the space between traditional fast-casual and casual-dining
sectors. Fast casual 2.0 concepts have menus that are chef-driven, featuring signature
dishes, while offering premium hospitality.

The focus is shifted on customer experience, offering higher-end beverages, often

including alcoholic options. Food is made with a higher quality and often showcases
farm-to-table local sourcing with healthy ingredients. A lot of these startups exhibit
ambitions that stretch beyond growth and dollar signs, seeking to become staples of
their community by way of inclusivity, collaboration, and long-term relationships with
investors.

And there’s another level of innovation happening here as robotics and automation
get involved in the food delivery/service process, like startup Makr Shakr, which has
created a robotic/automated bartender. Since their debut in 2013, cruise liners and
hotels all across the world have hired their very own machine mixologist, capable
of mixing infinite varieties of drinks, utilizing up to 170 bottles of varying liquors, all
stored in its overhead rack. Today, Makr Shakr units have made over a million drinks,
sometimes making up to 800 in a single night.

New Drink

The market for unique and boutique food products doesn’t stop at replacement meat
and sugar. The alcohol industry has also caught wind of changing consumer demands,
and it’s growth (13% since 2015) has largely depended on the success of craft breweries
and micro distilleries.

But that new trendy microbrewery in your backyard is just the beginning of the
beverage evolution (bevolution - I should trademark that). The other trends in New
Food are equally present in New Drink.

Take, for example, subscription product services like Opn. Opn allows customers to
learn and customize their very own drink recipe. With just a few clicks, individuals can
order exactly what they need and have it sent to their front door just in time for the
next party. Opn can also assist in helping customers create social calendars, offering
new tips on how to be the perfect host.

Johnny Walker, in partnership with food-tech startup Vivanda, launched their own line
of personalized alcohol services, called My Edition. The service develops a taste profile
using Vivanda’s technology to create one-of-a-kind, new and exclusive scotch whisky
blends, based on individual customer preferences.

It’s an easy-to-use-software program where customers answer a variety of questions,

which the My Edition machine learns and then crafts a customized blend. From there,
individuals can personalize the glass bottle and add an engraved message or symbol
of their choosing.

11
 Startups like Vivanda are bringing tech to food and drink in creative ways, and the
result is a personalized experience that can keep a two-hundred year old brand
relevant with a new group of consumers.

And My Edition isn’t the only service to offer personalized, customized blends. It is just
one of a growing number of services and startups that are using technology to win
consumers in ways we never imagined possible just a few years ago.

Final Word
New Foods is an unconventional bet for us, since angel investing is all about
technology, and food can seem, well, primitive.

But nothing could be farther from the truth. The advent of the internet spawned a food
revolution, giving us a new awareness of the many food options out there, and a new
demand for health, flavor, and quality.

We are still very much in the middle of this revolution, and as it continues, new health
and sustainability trends are taking the forefront. All this is happening in addition to
the simple rediscovery of food as an experience.

There are countless new products waiting to be created or rediscovered, countless

new problems waiting to be solved, and countless fun innovations waiting to make our
experience of food more memorable and unique.

12
S ECTOR 3

Health Tech
By Jeff Bishop

It’s a beautiful day outside your window. The sun is shining and the thermostat reads
a perfect 85 degrees. But you’re inside. Your body is aching and you’re buried in a
blanket as you shiver with chills.

Nothing sounds worse to you at this moment than driving to the doctor’s and sitting
in the waiting room. So, you do what we all do and you type up your symptoms into
WebMD.

Oh, it says you’re dying. That can’t be right, right?

We’ve all been there. Whether you’re sneezing more than usual or you have a child
who might have caught that stomach bug, a doctor’s visit can be timestaking and
expensive. That is if you can even get an appointment.

The MedTech industry is rising up to solve this problem- and countless others - and
the investment opportunities within this sector are exponential.

MedTech - Is That Even A Real Word?

Now, you may be thinking, “How is this a new sector? Isn’t the medical field already
saturated in technology?”

To that I say, definitely.

But the cost of healthcare is rising, consumer beliefs around health care are shifting,
the insurance industry is still a stagnant goliath, and there are brave new worlds of
medical devices and therapy. Technology is making healthcare more personalized,
convenient and effective.

The Health Tech industry covers anything that can be used in the diagnosis,
13
 prevention, and treatment of an ailment. And it applies to more than just human health
care. Companion animals are also the direct beneficiaries of the breakthroughs in this
sector.

Just what are the innovations coming out of Health Tech?

There are cool new devices like at-home blood and saliva tests that can predict
diseases, DIY DNA kits that tell you about future illnesses, virtual therapists who see
their patients over a smartphone app, and a CAR-T Cell Cancer Therapy for our canine
friends.

Here at The Boardroom, we have been keeping a close eye on this startup sector. A
recent investment I made in a Health Tech startup just returned $500,000, many times
my original investment. With a global value of $6.5 trillion, the potential angel investing
opportunities in this industry are unmatched.

But hey, don’t just take it from me.

Check out the three biggest reasons why we think Health Tech is going to be just what
the doctor ordered.

Pocket Doctors

One of the most exciting trends to come out of Health Tech is telemedicine. Over
the past decade, telemedicine, the process of consulting with a health professional
remotely over the internet or phone, has gone mainstream.

Multiple startups have already created easy-to-use apps that connect patients to
health professionals in seconds. Gone are the days of expensive co-pays or office costs
just to be told you have the common cold.

But there is still room for disruption and innovation here. For example, a new wave
of telemedicine startups are integrating artificial intelligence to make patients’
experience faster, more cost-effective, and, above all, more successful.

For example, a Seattle-based startup, 98point6, developed an AI-equipped app that

connects patients to doctors and pharmacists 24/7. Their AI technology learns from
each “visit” and gets smarter each time it is used. And by charging as little as $20 a
year for 24/7 digital access to a physician, 98point6 is expanding access to quality
health care.

Investors are taking notice. Through only 4 rounds of funding, 98point6 has secured
$86.3 million in funding since 2015 and boasts 45,000 app downloads this month
alone.

14
One of the most popular ways telemedicine is being implemented is in the mental
health community. Online therapy removes the obstacles of cost and a busy schedule
while providing personalized care.

And it couldn’t come at a better time. Mental health awareness and diagnoses are
on the rise in the United States. Currently, 4 in 10 adults will see a counselor at some
point in their lives, and, every year Americans spend $201 billion on mental illness
healthcare.

Currently, the world’s leading telemedicine counseling service, BetterHelp, is a 5-year-

old startup with a 2018 valuation of $60 million. They were recently acquired by one of
the most influential telemedicine companies in the world - so influential, Forbes called
their stock “The Amazon of Medicine” due to their 2018 market capital of $4.1 billion.

As patients become more comfortable with interactions online, clever founders will
find new ways of providing them cheap, effective treatment. And, unfortunately, it
doesn’t look like the mental health or health insurance crises are resolving any time
soon.

Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare

At some point in the past five years, I would bet money that you’ve been frustrated by
at least one of our leading ladies in artificial intelligence, Siri or Alexa.

But while those two charmers might not always “get it,” AI programs and robots have
become extremely sophisticated in medicine. In the past 5 years, AI-driven robotics
have revolutionized surgery, imaging, and testing. And there will only be more to
come.

Startups are perfecting new softwares and devices that offer 3D imaging, early cancer
detection, and identification of anomalies. And a successful application can mean a
huge payday for investors.

In May of 2019, Google purchased DeepMind, a company that has been using AI to
improve medical care, for $500 million. In the same year, the Journal of the Natural
Cancer Institute conducted a study of 42,000 patient scans which concluded that
Google’s AI algorithm was 5% more successful at detecting cancers and reduced false
positives by 11% compared to the human doctors in the study.

Another success story is Paige.AI, which uncovers new connections between pathology,
genomics, treatment response, and patient outcomes with large-scale machine
learning algorithms. Paige recently clocked in at a $220 million post-money, more than
three times its valuation in 2018.

And we’re really just scratching the surface of the $35B healthcare cloud computing
market.

15
 Don’t Forget About Fido

There’s obviously a lot happening in the world of medicine. But what about man’s best
friend? (okay, friends.)

Good news - more and more Health Tech startups are developing advanced
treatments for companion animals.

The primary driver for this trend is the growth in consumer spending on companion
animals. Dogs and cats are becoming part of the family, and Americans are shelling
out the cash needed to keep them there. American consumers spent over $15 billion
on pet medicine in 2018, and almost $30 billion on organic and natural pet nutrition.
Globally, the pet market is valued at approximately $109 billion.

Startups are responding to this trend in force by leveraging human technologies.

AI-automated veterinarian care and state-of-the-art cancer therapies are just the
beginning. The top startups in this field have collectively amassed $500 million from
funding rounds.

I’ve been a part of several deals involving veterinary medicine startups, and I’ve
already seen huge returns. There’s no way this train is stopping.

Final Word
As with all of the Six Startup Sectors that we think are going to be big in 2020 (and
beyond), Health Tech is being driven by two independent engines: shifting consumer
behavior and advancing technology.

Artificial intelligence is allowing us to develop new surgical devices and diagnostic

platforms, but patient preferences are making telemedicine the new norm.

Health Tech isn’t just making medicine cheaper or easier to access, it’s making it more
personal.
The possibilities of diagnosing cancer through an at-home saliva kit sounds like a thing
of the future. But it isn’t. This innovation is only the first of many.

One of my favorite things about being an angel investor in this sector is that I know my
investments are actually going to improve people’s lives. Nothing makes profit sweeter.

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S ECTOR 4

Automation/AI
By Alla n Marshall

In 2017, Jimmy Fallon introduced the world to a brand new guest on his late night show,
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”. She sat with perfect poise, no nervousness
or discomfort in her tone.

After her initial appearance on the show, her interview racked up over 24 million views,
making it one of the highest viewed clips on the show’s Youtube channel in 2017.

This person shocked the world.

Why?

Because she wasn’t a person at all.

Her name was Sophia and she was a humanoid robot.

On that day, Sophia became the face of artificial intelligence.

She’s also the face of our 4th Startup Sector of the next decade: Artificial Intelligence
and Automation.

Before we go any further, allow me to introduce myself.

I’m Allan Marshall, one of the founding members of The Boardroom. I’ve been
fascinated with artificial intelligence ever since I realized that self-driving vehicles
might be a real option for the shipping company I founded, XPO Logistics.

I stepped down from XPO to spend more time with my family (and become a full-time
angel investor). But I never stopped paying attention to Artificial Intelligence, Machine
Learning, and Automation Technologies, which will soon affect every aspect of our
lives.

AI/Automation have already worked their way into nearly all of the other chapters in
this guide. But I believe that this technology is so important, it deserves a dedicated
section.
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 There are virtually billions of dollars to be made in this next sector. Let me show you
why.

More Than A Robot

When you think about artificial intelligence, maybe you picture Sophia the robot. But
artificial intelligence expands far beyond robots.

The field of artificial intelligence, which I’ll be calling by its nickname “AI”, refers to
products equipped with computer programs that can perform various analyses and
tasks and use predefined criteria to make decisions.

So far, we’ve seen AI in our homes in the form of Alexa and Siri, on our phones in the
form of speech recognition software, text analytics, and virtual agents, and in the
world of business in the form of targeted ads, robotic process automation, and AI-
optimized hardware.

Now, we heavily rely on automation which allows us to use hardware and software to
remove the need for human interaction in every-day tasks. Even greater, we’ve nearly
perfected machine learning capabilities which grant AI technology the ability to learn
and improve from experience without being specifically programmed to do so.

And those are just a few of the incredible innovations that have come from the AI
sector.

But with the growing dependence on technology and AI, startups in this industry know
that existing companies have merely touched the surface of the AI empire.

These startups are challenging the status quo and are ready to invent the next great AI
product.

The next “Sophia” of our decade.

And they’re making big waves.

Self-Driving Technology

We are on the cusp of a huge technological breakthrough. Self-driving cars are about
to become a reality. Now, we’re not talking about semi-automatic cars that require
partial human interaction, like Teslas. We’re talking about entirely self-driving cars.

Imagine it - sitting back in ease, spending your morning commute catching up on

emails or reading the news as your car acts as your own personal chauffeur.
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Well, startups in the AI sector are working hard to make this a reality. And when they
do, it is going to generate a huge wave of innovation.

Here in The Boardroom, we think that this technological breakthrough will be a

billion-dollar industry by the end of the 2020s. We’re so serious about it, we’re in the
beginning stages of organizing a potential deal with an up-and-coming startup that
specializes in self-driving cars.

Consider Cruise. What began as a startup with a vision to build the world’s most
advanced self-driving cars, was recently acquired by General Motors for $1 billion.

Yep, you read that right. Billion. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their 2019
valuation was $19 billion.

Due to its age (7 years old), we wouldn’t have originally considered Cruise to be
a startup. But, Cruise only truly entered the self-driving market in 2015 when they
received their first permit to test drive their technology, which only existed as software
until then. As soon as they received their permit, Cruise skyrocketed to success. Only 9
months later they were acquired by GM.

Cruise isn’t a one hit wonder. Their self-driving technology has quite literally turned the
industry on its head and this is just the beginning for them.

But, they’re not the only ones building a billion-dollar self-driving tech empire.

Another company just hit the elusive $1 billion valuation, catapulting them to unicorn
status. Pony.ai is a 4-year-old startup that creates full-stack autonomous driving
solutions. Since its first round of funding in 2018, they have raised $254 million from
four funding rounds.

Not only will startups be crafting the software and hardware for these vehicles,
but self-driving technology will fundamentally reshape our relationship with these
vehicles.

Cars will become mobile media centers.

From these numbers alone, we don’t have to tell you twice that there is major money to
be made in the self-driving tech sector of Artificial Intelligence.

Automated Everything

Two key tech events are coming to a head in the 2020s - the rise of artificial
intelligence and autonomous operating services. The combination of the two has
virtually changed the way we use technology.

Autonomous technology replaces strenuous or repetitive human tasks. As Artificial

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 Intelligence increases, it removes more of the boundaries that once held us back from
complete automation.

A startup that is revolutionizing the AI automation industry is X.AI, an autonomous

personal assistant software powered by artificial intelligence. The assistants, which
have been named Amy and Andrew, automate the operations of businesses by
integrating multiple capabilities like Google, Office 365, Slack, and calendars under
one roof. Amy and Andrew learn with every interaction.

Backed by $44.3 million from 4 funding rounds, X.AI brought in approximately $3

million in revenue in 2019.

While they may still be in the growth stage, we think X.AI is on course for major success
in the next few years.

And for good reason.

The global automation industry is projected to generate $238 billion US dollars by

2021. The largest segment of this is expected to come from process automation, which
is any software or technology that breaks down a complex process and improves
operations.

Yes, there are multiple large corporations who have made their presence known in the
AI sub-sector of automation.

But, the startups we are seeing in this sector are revving up to face the industry
leaders head-on and they’re showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

AI For Personal Use

The common misconception about AI is that the best software and technology aren’t
available to the general public.

But, artificial intelligence isn’t solely reserved for businesses.

The sub-sector of personal-use AI is about to make a major impact in the industry

as we know it. Personal-use AI refers to the AI tools and software that we use in our
personal lives to make our lives easier.

From AI health coaches, apps that recognize the ingredients in the food you’re eating
by the click of a picture, and phone apps that control the temperature and lights in
your home, to an AI kitchen assistant that gives you play-by-play recipe directions, this
technology is quickly working its way into our lives.

As of 2018, 85% of Americans used one or more artificial intelligence products for
personal use.

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Those are pretty favorable numbers in my book.

Here’s some more - globally, 74% of people have used some sort of artificial
intelligence for personal use in the past month.

Globally, that’s a possible target market of 5.57 billion people.

Because this sub-sector is still emerging, a large part of the possible market remains
untapped. As the industry progresses, every new innovation challenges market players
to step up their game.

This is a challenge that startups have accepted. And they’re playing for keeps.

While this industry has been around for a few decades, this is the first time that we
have seen multiple startups with billion-dollar potential.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - the best time to invest in a startup is right
before it’s about to take off!

Final Word
Before I became an angel investor, I was a young entrepreneur on the hunt for my big
break.

When I graduated from high school, I took a part-time job as a delivery driver. It
wasn’t fun, but it got me started. And in a little over a year, I was running my own
driving company with over a hundred employees.

It’s an odd feeling to look at a future where a nineteen-year-old kid can’t get a job as
a delivery driver because the entire industry is propelled by self-driving cars.

But it’s a good thing. This brave new world is going to be full of new possibilities. AI and
Automation will do things we’ve never imagined.

And if you and I can get ahead of the curve, we stand to make a lot of money in this
exciting industry.

The artificial intelligence sector is a multi-billion dollar sector and projections are
extremely favorable for investors.

This industry is ready to be disrupted and startups are actively looking for investors like
you to partner with them in their mission to revolutionize artificial intelligence as we
know it.

Here at The Boardroom, we can’t wait to see what the startups in artificial intelligence
are going to do next.
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 S ECTOR 5

Cybersecurity
By Ch r is Graebe

The world is an amazing place. But, let’s be honest, it can be pretty scary, too.
The internet now occupies nearly every area of our lives, from our personal finances,
to our holiday shopping, to the functions of the U.S. Government (yikes).

And while it’s making a lot of things faster and more convenient, it’s also making us
vulnerable. That means that cybersecurity has never been more important.

Most Chief Information Officers now see cybersecurity as a top priority within their
business’ infrastructures. Perhaps the greatest cyber threats today are those coming
our way from Russia, China, and Eastern Europe.

In both China and Russia, hackers targeting the U.S., its interests, citizens, and allies
find safe haven. In many cases, they are state sponsored. In others, they are simply
given free reign. Ultra-successful hackers in Russia live in mansions, own yachts, and
parade tigers and cheetahs around on gold leashes… all paid for with stolen American
dollars.

Perhaps the only reason that cyber crimes are not more rampant in the U.S. is because
we enjoy technological superiority… But that could be changing. In a recent survey
of CEOs, 50% believe that the U.S. will continue to lead the way in the tech industry.
But a growing 39% are betting that China will grow to become the world’s top tech
innovation by the year 2028.

Just since the year 2013, nearly 4 billion private records have been attacked and lost.
While the thought of being hacked still incites a creepy feeling of being violated, no
one’s really fazed anymore. It’s become a case of “when,” not “if.”

Perhaps one of the most significant breaches of the 21st century was the one that tore
down the empire of Yahoo.

Back in 2014, the company that was once one of the biggest internet giants fell victim
to the largest data breach in history. As a result of the cyber attack, 3 billion Yahoo
user accounts were impacted, affecting some 500 million users, their passwords and
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personal information made public knowledge.

But because of Yahoo’s failure to respond quickly and effectively, their previous $100
billion valuation was stunningly hacked down to a modest $4.8 billion. They have never
recovered.

Yahoo is just one of many companies who have experienced major loss due to
cyberattack. Target, eBay, Marriott International, Adobe, JP Morgan Chase, and
Anthem have all fallen prey to online hackers.

The reality is clear - as the technological playing field equalizes, the need for
cybersecurity becomes more pressing. That’s for the U.S. federal government, for
businesses of all sizes, and for individuals, as well. The costs for ignoring cybersecurity
are too high for anyone to pay.

And a new generation of startups to answer the call.

When you’re successful in the world of cybersecurity, the rewards can be huge. Blue
Voyant, founded in 2017, was pushing a billion-dollar valuation just a year later.

So what should you look for in a cybersecurity startup that would make it worth
investing in? What do the seeds of real profit look like?

Looks for startups in these rapidly developing niches.

Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence

It’s no surprise that artificial intelligence is going to play a huge role in the
development of cybersecurity over the next decade. It’s also been used by hackers.

We are stuck in a cyber arms race between security companies and hackers, and I
have good reason to believe that artificial intelligence is going to be one of the key
tools we use to keep the upper hand.

That’s because cybersecurity systems face constantly evolving threats, and so currently
require constant human support. The normal application of cybersecurity software
requires human actors to set up firewalls, monitor events, and respond to threats.

But a firewall with machine learning built into its programming will be able to learn
from the attacks coming its way and become increasingly deft at identifying and
blocking them.

Additionally, learning algorithms can be deployed broadscale across the internet,

gathering data on what the latest waves of attacks look like, and preparing their
firewalls in real-time for replicas.

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 There is even the not-to-distant possibility of AI replacing conventional security
measures like passwords.

One more recent startup I like in this space is Cognigo. This 2016 startup built
a compliance and data protection program powered completely by cognitive
computing. Not only do they protect data, they can also help companies come into
GDPR compliance orders of magnitude faster than conventional solutions.

Cognigo is an excellent example of how cybersecurity startups can use artificial

intelligence to address problems across the technological spectrum. And there’s many
more where that came from.

Another player in this corner is Cylance, focusing on predicting and preventing hacks.
Whereas most software exists to correct issues after they’ve already occurred, Cylance
has automated detect-and-respond programming. While many companies who’ve
been taken down by security breaches can’t fully recover, Cylance works hard, acting
like a sniper, directly targeting threats identified by predictive AI technology.

IoT and The Cloud

The next decade is going to be defined (in part) by the conjunction of several
phenomena: the advent to 5G, the shift to the cloud, and the rise of the Internet of
Things.

These events are going to have huge ramifications for cybersecurity.

Modern operating systems like Windows and iOS have developed very sophisticated
defenses for most common cyber threats.

But now everything from your fridge to your insulin pump has a chip that’s connected
to the internet, and with the rise of 5G, that connection will be lightning fast. The world
of IoT is far less well protected.

That’s why we’re seeing new startups like Argus, which builds automotive cybersecurity
to protect your fancy new self-driving car from hackers. And iBoss, which secures
internet access from any device, anywhere in the world. Instead of following
perimeters, as most softwares are programmed to do, they focus their attention on
specifically following their users and their activity within the cloud.

5G is advancing another trend: the move to cloud computing. As of this year, over
80% of enterprise workloads were in the cloud, and 66% of IT professionals consider
security to be their chief concern in the move to the cloud.

That’s because cybersecurity is a totally different ballgame in the cloud. And that’s
why startups like Sysdig, which builds cybersecurity applications for cloud-based
workflows, are making a name for themselves.

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Pinpointed Expertise

Artificial intelligence, IoT, and the Cloud these represent vast new realms for startups
to explore and innovate.

The last niche is less broad, in a sense…

I’m talking about specialist startups that focus on addressing very specific malware,
viruses, patterned cyberattacks, and the many other unique problems in the world of
cybersecurity.

Over the next decade, we expect cyberattacks to become increasingly potent and
developed. But we also expect savvy startups to build solutions for each of them. And
while businesses might not be interested in licensing a product that only addresses
one threat, the prospects for acquisition will be huge.

One startup I like which is doing just that is CTM360, which specializes in stopping
attacks from beyond the firewall by sniffing out phishing URLs and fake emails. Or take
a look at PerimeterX, which blocks several conventional marketing fraud attacks.

Final Word
I didn’t need to mention Russia and China for you to know that cybersecurity is an
absolute necessity of the modern world. By one estimate, cyber attacks will cost about
$6 trillion every year going forward.

And the more the threats evolve, the more opportunities there are for specialization
and acquisition.

But let’s be clear - of all the business categories in our 6 Startup Sectors series, this
one requires the most insider knowledge to successfully plug into.

The good news is, knowledge can be built. And you can always piggyback on the due
diligence of a trusted partner like The Boardroom.

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 S ECTOR 6

Niche
Networking
By Nate Stavseth

They say it’s not what you know. It’s who you know.

You know what? They’re freaking right.

It wasn’t that long ago that I was sitting on the couch in my dad’s living room,
watching Shark Tank and thinking, “Someday, I’m gonna pitch my company to Mark
Cuban.”

(Also thinking—shit man, I need to get my own place, badly.)

Now, I’m writing this email from my own couch in my own, brand-new home.

My network made me a millionaire. And in the world of angel investing, networking

startups have literally minted billionaires.

In fact, when most people think of a successful startup, they’re thinking of a company
like Facebook. Or Twitter. Or Snapchat, or Instagram, or LinkedIn.

In other words, they’re thinking of a social networking unicorn.

Some people say there will never be another Facebook, and they’re probably right.

But, in a world that is more connected than ever before, we are growing less
connected with every click. The rise of the massive social media platforms we know
today - Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter - intertwine us with billions of people every
second. Yet, these platforms leave us missing out on opportunities to truly be part of a
community.

The applications that allow us to communicate with ease are the very applications
severing the interpersonal ties that bind us together.

To fill this rapidly widening gap, a new industry is rising up that we have dubbed
“Niche Networking”.
26
Here at The Boardroom, we’ve been keeping an eye on this market. And we’re
convinced it’s only going to keep growing. We’re seeing brand new apps specifically
curated for untapped markets, software that will continue to improve the way we
connect with employees and customers, and revolutionary ways to expand your
network and capitalize on opportunities.

Now, I know that networking as a whole is a major concept and discovering emerging
industries to invest in can be an overwhelming feat to take on by yourself.

But that changes now.

A new generation of startups is working in concert with industry’s networking giants to

improve networking and change the way we grow our communities.

This brand new industry was built by startups and is loaded with investment potential.

And we think it’s about to dominate in 2020.

Personal Networking

First up, we’ve got networking platforms created for building your community. This
sub-sector of Niche Marketing is geared towards building your interpersonal network.
More than connecting through a few surface-level emails, startups in this sector are
creating apps that promote genuine human-to-human interactions.

These innovative new startups recognize the demand for networking tools that extend
beyond a few simple parameters. They don’t want you to just “date around” in your
network - they want you to find the perfect match. To do this, they’re creating new
technologies that make meeting like-minded people easier than ever.

Grow your personal network with these new applications that can do everything
from recommending meeting points that fit your personality and meeting style
to introducing you to people in your area who have complementary skill sets and
experiences.

Wanting to meet someone from an entirely different lifestyle than yours? You can do
that too. Multiple startups in this sector are introducing new networking platforms
specifically curated for meeting and learning about people who are the polar opposite
of you.

My favorite part about this sub-sector? There’s major money to be made here.

Before going forward, we need to look back at a company that changed the game.

I’m talking about companies like Tinder and Meetup, which changed what was once
a taboo concept - meeting strangers online - into a billion dollar industry seemingly
overnight. Far from monopolizing the space, these pioneers spawned a myriad of
copycats who focused on the niches they might have overlooked.
27
 One company that is taking this emerging sector by storm is Nextdoor. The
entrepreneurs behind Nextdoor created the platform for people to build relationships
with the people in their communities and stay up-to-date with local happenings. With
that in mind, their platform allows users to share local events, plan activities, and
communicate through neighborhood dashboards and private messaging. Explore your
city, build your career, or try something new with the people from your community.

This San Francisco-based company has raised over $455 million in funding and their
estimated yearly revenue is $62 million. Every month, over 78 million people visit the
Nextdoor site. As of 2017, Nextdoor had a $1.5B valuation.

As an angel, those numbers make me want to drop everything right this second and
find a way to get involved as an investor!

Growing my network while doing the things I actually enjoy doing? That sounds like
something I can get behind.

I see major potential in this subsector of Niche Networking because it is helping us

replace one of the things we are most lacking in the digital age: community.

Professional Networking

This next Niche Networking subsector is my favorite.

I don’t know about you, but the thought of securing the perfect connection that
will introduce you to your next professional opportunity can be daunting. Yes, we
have Linkedin. But how do you know who to connect with and how do you turn that
connection into a new job or business partner?

Thankfully, an industry is emerging that makes it easier than ever. And it’s about to
take off.

Professional networking.

Okay, you’re probably thinking “Isn’t the professional networking market already
saturated?”

Absolutely.

That’s why a new wave of startups are shaking things up and re-introducing us to the
old-school art of professional networking. These companies have designed brand new
platforms that make meeting industry professionals exciting and worthwhile.

One startup that we have our eye on is Shapr.

This startup’s platform aims to take the challenge out of growing your network when it
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comes to professional connections. Shapr gives users an easy-to-use app that uses an
algorithm to suggest professionals with matching interests, skill sets, and professional
goals. Different than existing business networking platforms like Linkedin, Shapr is built
for users who want to meet in person.

Their goal? To get users into the habit of meeting one new person each week.

This startup is what we call a “small, but mighty” company here in The Boardroom.
Only a few years old, Shapr has amassed $16.5 million through 4 rounds of funding.
Their post-money valuation is upwards of $10 million.

But wait - professional networking isn’t just reserved for businessmen and executives.

Professional networking startups cater to creatives, too.

One startup that is in the crowdfunding stage is Vampr. This 4-year-old startup is a
social networking platform for creatives in the music industry. Their mission is to be
the next Linkedin for creatives. So far, Vampr has facilitated over 4 million professional
connections across 198 countries, earning them a spot on Apple’s “Best Apps of 2017”
list.

Vampr is the first platform of its kind for musicians to connect with other musicians and
industry professionals and collaborate on projects.

Vampr is one of many startup networking platforms ready to partner with investors to
revolutionize the way we build business through networking.

Ultimately, professional networking startups are all about servicing niche communities.
A prime example of this is Voyage Media, a user-generated entertainment media
community platform. Voyage Media aims to democratize access to Hollywood by
connecting storytellers outside of the “Hollywood System” with A-list producers.

So far, 7 film and tv projects have been produced by Voyage Media storytellers and
producers. One of those projects won an Emmy.

As you can see, there are startups in this industry that are ready to interrupt the
stagnant professional networking market. From what we’ve seen so far, we think these
emerging startups have major potential to turn the industry on its head.

Communication Tools

This next category of Niche Networking is unique because, while these platforms may
not be for networking specifically, they’re taking on the feat of modernizing how we
communicate with our existing network.

Networking isn’t just about having a place to connect with others. It’s also about how

29
 we communicate and stay connected. Without the right tools, networking can feel like
an uphill battle.

In the fight to keep us connected, startups in the Niche Networking sector are curating
easy-to-use platforms and applications that incorporate everything we could possibly
need to stay in touch and optimize performance in the workplace. Geared toward
business professionals and large groups, these startups have created comprehensive
networking platforms equipped with SMS capabilities, email, file sharing, scheduling
software, and more.

If you’ve ever worked with a team or in a large corporation, you know how vital it is to
have everyone on the same page at all times. These startups are making it easier to do
that.

As of 2019, 77% of enterprises use some sort of cloud-based software (like Slack, Asana,
and Trello) to handle communication and operations in their business and 15% plan on
adopting a cloud-based networking software in the next 12 months. For just a minute,
think of those numbers from an angel investor’s perspective - that’s 92% of companies
who could potentially use the software created by the next big startup.

The workplace collaboration software company, Slack, has built an empire valued
at $7.1 billion. Their software offers real-time messaging and file-sharing and is also
equipped with the capability of connecting with your company’s pre-existing software
and tools such as Google Drive, Google Calendar, Asana, and the Adobe Creative
Cloud. One of the first companies to create such a platform, the startup brings in an
annual average revenue of $400.6 million.

Obviously, you won’t be investing anymore in this billion-dollar unicorn. But there are a
bunch of open deals with startups that are making big moves and big money.

If you’re a regular attendee of conferences, seminars, or events, you’re going to want

to download Swapcard now.

Swapcard is an intuitive event app backed by artificial intelligence. The app suggests
sessions to attend, relevant people to meet, and sponsors to visit. Based on your
interests, Swapcard recommends things to do and people to meet so you can optimize
your time and get the most out of your experience.

Swapcard isn’t just for attendees, either.

Event hosts can also use the app to give guests a 360 view of the venue and vendors,
access to the schedule, and post important announcements in real time. While they’re
still in the seed phase, Swapcard has raised over $5 million from two funding rounds
since 2013 and had $2 million in revenue in 2018.

Swapcard is one of the first companies of its kind to create this type of AI event
software.

Another up-and-coming startup is called Coda. Backed by $60 million from 1 funding
round and a valuation of approximately $500 million, Coda’s platform combines
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important applications like messaging, file sharing, and document creation under one
roof.

Here at The Boardroom we are definitely going to keep our eyes on this industry as we
wait with anticipation for the next startup that will take the challenge of beating out
the current market leaders.

Final Word
Niche Networking is home to many great investment opportunities, as the market is
fresh and ready for a new wave of innovation.

The major players we see now were the first of their kind to revolutionize networking.
And many of the innovators who followed in their footsteps have since been bought
out. Some of the richest people in the world today got their money from the sale of
their investment.

What does that mean for investors like us?

That means that there is nowhere to go but up in this emerging Niche Networking
industry.

If these numbers don’t already speak for themselves, take a look at the up-and-
coming startups on the verge of taking off in the Niche Networking sector. Whether
you’re keen to invest in the next big professional networking platform or you’re
passionate about investing in genuine interpersonal connections, I’m certain you’ll find
an incredible deal that ticks all the boxes.

But to access the incredible opportunities that are waiting for you out there in the
world of Niche Networking, you need the experts.

No worries, we’ve got your back.

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 What Comes
Next?
As angel investors, it’s our job to predict what comes next. It’s not just what we’re good
at; it’s what we love.

And these 6 Startups Sectors are really just the beginning. The next billion-dollar
startups being founded every day in industries across the board. And you can be one
of their first investors.

Knowing these sectors will give you a huge advantage as an angel investor, but they
won’t get you across the finish line. You’ll still need to find and vet deals.

That’s where we come in.

If you’re ready to start investing now, you need to check out Angel Investing Insider.

In this one-of-a-kind investor service, you’ll find a deal flow curated by The
Boardroom’s professional angels. You’ll also have exclusive access to insider strategies,
our complete how-to guide, and a private community with motivated angel investors
like you.

Angel investing changed our lives. It can change yours too.

Before angel investing, I worked a 9-5 job with little freedom to do what I loved. Now,
I run a company, invest in startups, and have more time to spend with my family than I
ever have before.

That’s what angel investing did for me.

There is nothing as exhilarating as investing in the next great investment deal. And
with Angel Investing Insider, all of the heavy lifting and insider networking is taken care
of by us. We have literally seen people become millionaires from the kind of deals we
are offering in this service.

Let’s start making money the smart way. Like millionaires and billionaires.

Jeff Bishop

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