internetmobile-applicationspossibilitiesseed-capitalsmartphonesventure-capitalI have just become a full-time business angel providing seed captital and experience to technology start-ups, bridging the gap between FFF (family, friends and fools) and positive cash-flow or venture capitalists.

So, why leave a well paid and engaging job with promising career opportunities for this risky business?

Well, first and foremost because it will be a lot of fun. I was one of the co-founders of Citerus back in 1996 and has over the years invested in other start-ups and really love the energy you get from working with entrepreneurs.

Second because we live in a time full of opportunities to make money and make this world a better place. There is huge potential in leveraging on the following enablers:

1. The Internet of course. The backbone. Amazon, iTunes and Skype are a few examples of succesful services who have used the power of Internet to rock whole industries, but with bandwith and storage costs approaching zero and Internet penetration going through the roof there are still plenty of small niches out there to be filled by new, innovative players.
2. Mobile Applications: In Q2 2010 alone, more than 61 Million new smartphones hit the market making it possible for companies to move into people’s pockets and become an integrated part of their daily lives. Features such as positioning, voice recognition, video and in the future near field communication make it possible to design excellent services that change people’s behaviour forever. Not to mention the tablets.
3. Social Web Sites: It has never been easier to communicate, share and collaborate with your friends, acquaintances and even total strangers.

Just to illustrate what is possible today: The other day I lent US$ 100 to three specific entrepreneurs in Africa via Kiva.org (from my iPhone), paid with my PayPal account and told my friends on Facebook about it creating a mouth-to-mouth marketing effect for Kiva. All in all, it took me about 15 minutes, less than writing this blog post. Fifteen minutes that might change the life forever for an African entrepreneur.

What will be possible tomorrow? Well, the best way to predict the future is to create it. Therefore, I am now a business angel.

On this blog, I will share my reasons for investing in different companies and write about cools new gadgets and applications, social entrepreneurship, what I think will become the Next Big Thing and other things that interest me.

Please join me on my journey ahead:

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Yours faithfully,

Gustaf Brandberg