Will Investing Move Online as WFH takes over?
The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way we work. Most people that could do so have now transitioned to work from home. Yet, there are businesses that are uniquely reliant on in-person interactions. Fund-raising falls into that category. And, conversely, investing.
But this virus crisis is likely to be around for a while — many are predicting 6–18 months before we can resume our previous carefree public contact. So will there be no investments made in that time? That sounds scary!
Our best guess is that behaviors may change. It may take a while, but they will change. Investing for example, where we have unique perspective.
Newton Fund, managed by Propel(x) Advisors (a Propel(x) subsidiary), has made most of its investments on the merits of the opportunity, based on phone calls or video conferences with founders. We have met perhaps two or three of our approximately twenty portfolio company founders in person. Distance, lack of in-person interaction did not seem to come in the way. Similarly, we know that other funds have done the same. And, of course, the classic example is investments made by angel investors online on the Propel(x) platform.
Propel(x) bridges the interpersonal gaps via video conferences between investors and startups. Our calls, hosted live, enable investors to hear from the entrepreneur directly, while the entrepreneur is on camera. Investors are able to directly ask their questions and they are also able to listen in on questions asked by others. For this reason, our live calls have historically been very popular.
As work-from-home becomes the norm, we realize these calls are even more important now. To facilitate investments and to keep the capital flows going. As the vast majority of investors transition to work from home, we have decided to make our investor calls a weekly affair. One a week. Every Wednesday at 9:00am Pacific Time.
Per regulations, these calls are meant for accredited investors only and all attendees are required to pre-register on Propel(x) to confirm their accredited status and risk profile.
If you are an accredited investor, join us for our next call — Wednesday, April 22nd at 9:00am. Please register here for the call. Remember — you will be asked to register on Propel(x) as well, before you can attend the call.
