Study Hall is an opportunity for me to help y'all understand some of the concepts that I break down in my book, The Ghetto VC.

If you do not already have a copy, make sure that you scan the QR code that you see on the screen or visit www.theghetto.vc to get immediate access to the e-book.

New subscribers right here on Substack will get a signed paperback shipped directly to your door.

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Thanks for reading,
Garry Johnson III
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My name is Garry Johnson III. I am the author of a book inspired by hip hop, inspired by community, inspired by the plight of an oppressed people in this nation.

I'm a startup advisor, I’m an adjunct professor, and I am incredibly passionate about teaching entrepreneurship to the people, to make sure that everyday people have the skillset, the mindset, and the resources necessary to be successful in business.

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Thanks for reading,
Garry Johnson III
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Access the Full Masterclass

The reality is that 90% of startups fail.

The vast majority of startups fail.

Most businesses don't make it past three years.

So, when we're talking about investing in venture, it's a long-term game.

A lot of businesses just aren't going to make it.

It's hard to build a business.

It's hard to disrupt an industry.

It's hard to sustain growth.

There's a lot that goes into it, and it's not easy.

What you see on a pitch deck is the bright and shiny.

It is not the nitty gritty.

It is not the day to day.

The day to day is hard.

The day to day is uncertain.

Anything can happen and any business can go out of business at any point in time.

Now, as a business is in business for longer, it starts to gain its footing. It starts to gain market share, acquire different resources, launch different revenue streams, and have a more sustainable business model.

As it matures, its financial performance is going to be more reliable and stable.

That's sort of the trade-off when it comes to startup investing, because we as angel investors are investing in early stage businesses because we know that getting in early has the opportunity to create the largest return on investment.

If you’re ready to invest further into your wealth-building mindset alongside our community, consider joining us as a paid subscriber. I’ll send you a signed copy of my book as a bonus!

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It's something that we do to survive, right?

And coming from the communities that we come from, we've had to create new solutions to our problems to excel in this life, right?

So, Black people create new technologies.

We are innovators.

A lot of times, when you think about successful entrepreneurs, successful innovators, we think of Steve Jobs…

You think of individuals who built Amazon and Facebook and all these different types of platforms… but black people are doing it every single day.

The innovation economy is everybody reading this right now.

All the people who you may never read about in a book, but are absolutely leveraging technology and doing the things that are necessary for all of our communities to thrive.

That's the innovation economy to me.

Thanks for reading,
Garry Johnson III
Author of The Ghetto VC
Paperback | eBook | Masterclass

Thanks for reading!
Garry Johnson III
Paperback | eBook | Course

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Thanks for reading!
Garry Johnson III
Paperback | eBook | Course

Thank you to everyone who's helped me make The Ghetto VC the #1 new release in crowdfunding books on Amazon! If you haven't gotten your Kindle eBook or paperback, you can still help me turn my first book into a bestseller.

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Dear Community,

I could use your help amplifying my new book to a larger audience.

Here are 2 quick things you can do to help, and I’ve got a couple of gifts for you in exchange…

1. Get the eBook on Gumroad and leave a 5 star review. The eBook is available for free, or you can pay whatever you’d like to support my work.

Leave 5 Stars on Gumroad

2. Head over to Amazon to leave a 5 star review and testimonial. You do not need to purchase the book to leave a review. If you’d like to purchase the book, it’s more helpful for me if you order it outside of Amazon.

Leave 5 Stars on Amazon

3. That’s it! Just respond to this post letting me know you’ve shared your reviews on both Gumroad and Amazon, and you’ll be sent a code to get a free autographed paperback of The Ghetto VC.

With your help, I hope to make The Ghetto VC a bestseller.

I’m looking forward to sending your copy!

Keep shining,
Garry

Dear Community,

I’m excited to share that The Ghetto VC is officially published in paperback! This expanded edition includes all 12 chapters from the eBook, in addition to some special bonus content to supplement your learning. I’m offering a limited number of autographed copies to ship wherever you are. Be sure to subscribe to this publication to secure your copy and immediately unlock access to the eBook and self-guided investing course.

Get the FREE eBook

About The Book

The Ghetto VC is a step-by-step guide on building an abundance mindset, and investing like a venture capitalist. Author, Garry Johnson III, is an award-winning entrepreneur, adjunct professor, angel investor, and startup advisor. He supports a global community of underrepresented founders through his nonprofit, and is building pathways to wealth for all through his company, Bison Venture Partners. To date, Garry has mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs, raised capital from 160+ investors, and built an investment portfolio of more than a dozen private companies. Through The Ghetto VC, Garry outlines his thought process & investment strategy, while sharing accessible resources to help everyday people build wealth for themselves.

Chapter List

Introduction: The Enlightenment

1. Understand Your “Why”

2. Know the Rules & Regulations

   1. Form C's & "Testing The Waters"

3. Set a Measurable Goal

4. Find New Opportunities

5. Analyze Interesting Deals

6. Do Your Due Diligence

7. Create Your Own Opportunities

8. Manage Your Expectations

9. Build Your Portfolio

10. Support Your Investments

11. Track Your Performance

12. Get Others to Join You!

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I hope you enjoy…
Garry Johnson III

Dear Community,

Through The Ghetto VC, I’m educating 10,000 new Angel Investors over the next decade in our journey to build generational wealth together.

Why? Because investing in privately-held businesses has historically been a proven wealth-building strategy for elites, but the rules have changed, and it’s never been easier for everyday people to do the same.

If we’re going to close the racial & wealth gaps that exist today, we must leverage innovative opportunities to do so. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter, watch the lessons in Introduction to Angel Investing, and follow us @theghettovc on social media to stay up to date and be in-the-know about other exciting opportunities.

Today, we’re discussing an equity crowdfunding investment opportunity in Curlmix, which is currently fundraising on Wefunder!

Summary

This investment memo for CurlMix on Wefunder provides a comprehensive overview of CurlMix's positioning in the beauty and personal care sector, emphasizing its focus on clean beauty products for curly hair. We’ve detailed the company's evolution, market opportunities, financials, and strategic initiatives. The memo highlights CurlMix's significant market presence, and its innovative product range. In the financial section we outline the company's challenges and resilience, while the investment details outline the offering for potential investors. The memo encourages consideration of market trends, company differentiation, and future growth potential, aiming to inform investors about the promising prospects of investing in CurlMix within the expanding natural hair care market. We hope you find this memo useful as you do your own research on the company.

View The Full Investment Memo

Disclaimer

The information provided by Bison Venture Partners is intended solely for educational and informational purposes, not as specific investment advice. Investing involves significant risk, including possible loss of principal. Investors are responsible for their due diligence and investment decisions. Past performance does not predict future results. Bison Venture Partners is not a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer. Individuals should consult professional advisors before making investment decisions. Accessing this information implies agreement to these terms, releasing Bison Venture Partners from liability related to investment outcomes.

Full Investment Memo | Curlmix on Wefunder

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Dear Community,

I'm excited to share that anyone interested in taking our highly requested "Introduction to Angel Investing" course can now view all 10 self-guided lectures right here on Substack! Its more important than ever for us to empower a new generation of angels (both accredited and non-accredited) to accelerate the growth of promising businesses during these increasingly challenging times. History shows us that many of today's strongest companies were built during economic downturns, but not without the help of angels lending their social and financial capital. Through teaching this course, and making it more accessible than ever, The Ghetto VC continues his mission to educate 10,000 new angels over the next decade.

Unlock All 10 Lectures

I hope you enjoy!
Garry Johnson III
Author & Instructor

Introduction

Welcome to the world of startup investing, a journey that extends beyond mere financial transactions to becoming a catalyst for innovation, change, and growth. This course, "Introduction to Angel Investing," is not just an exploration of investment strategies but a deep dive into the transformative power of startup investing. Here, you'll learn to see opportunities where others see challenges and to build wealth that extends its benefits beyond yourself, impacting communities and shaping futures.

Introduction to Angel Investing is ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to start their journey of startup investing in technology startups and small businesses. Join a community of wealth builders investing in early-stage companies with the potential to generate outsized returns!

*Note: This is a 10-part course, with each video lecture accessible below.

Meet Your Instructor

Garry Johnson III is an award winning startup founder and nationally recognized ecosystem builder working to build a more inclusive and equitable innovation economy. He’s been recognized as a Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 honoree, HBCUvc & Hen Hatch Pitch Competition Winner, StartupAfrica Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, and Entrepreneurial Leadership Award Recipient, and achieved many other other accolades.

Garry serves as Founder & Managing Partner at , a company on a mission to empower a new generation of owners and startup investors. He also serves as the President of First Founders Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization on a mission to lower barriers to entry and increase the likelihood of success in the innovation ecosystem. The organization helps early-stage entrepreneurs launch successful startups through accelerator programs, community support, and access to resources. First Founders has supported 300+ entrepreneurs from around the world, who've raised $500k+ in non-dilutive funding, and more than $5 million in venture capital.

Table of Contents

1. Lecture 1: Understanding Your "Why"

   • Focus: The importance of understanding the personal motivations behind becoming a startup investor. Emphasis on shifting mindsets to invest in high-quality deals and building wealth for broader community impact.

2. Lecture 2: Know The Rules & Regulations

   • Focus: Understanding the legal and regulatory framework of startup investing. Discussion on accredited vs. non-accredited investors, risk factors, and the changes brought by the JOBS Act.

3. Lecture 3: Form C's & "Testing The Waters"

   • Focus: The legal process of startups raising funds through Form C filings and the concept of "Testing The Waters" for gauging investor interest.

4. Lecture 4: Set A Measurable Goal

   • Focus: The importance of setting clear, measurable investment goals. Strategies for building a diverse portfolio and setting targets for investment returns.

5. Lecture 5: Finding New Opportunities

   • Focus: How to discover new investment opportunities in private markets, focusing on platforms like WeFunder, Republic, and StartEngine.

6. Lecture 6: Analyze Interesting Deals & Doing Your Due Diligence

   • Focus: Methods for analyzing potential investment deals and the importance of conducting thorough due diligence on startups.

7. Lecture 7: Create Your Own Opportunities

   • Focus: Encouraging proactive involvement in sourcing and creating investment opportunities, emphasizing community-based investment approaches and equity crowdfunding.

8. Lecture 8: Manage Your Expectations

   • Focus: Realistic expectations in startup investing, understanding the likelihood of startup failures, the importance of a diversified portfolio, and the long-term perspective required for investing in startups.

9. Lecture 9: Build Your Portfolio & Support Your Investments

   • Focus: Strategies for building a diversified investment portfolio, considering different industries and stages of company development. Additionally, ways to actively support investments beyond financial contributions.

10. Lecture 10: Track Your Performance & Get Others To Join You

    • Focus: Importance of tracking investment performance over time using tools like KingsCrowd. Encouraging community involvement in startup investing, and the benefits of cooperative economics in investment.

Lecture #1 | Understanding Your "Why"

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