As you know, Darren has been investing in various start-ups for years but this weekend, I took the plunge and joined Darren as an angel investor in a new company, Path 101. I am really excited about our investment and particularly passionate about this start-up because it centers around human resources and career discovery.
Path 101 is a NYC-based startup company focused on career discovery on the web. The site aims to provide insightful information to people at all stages of their careers, from college students to professionals in late-career transition as they figure out their next professional opportunity. As Charlie O’Donnell, co-founder and CEO explained to us, “the site uses innovative analysis of resumes and employee profiles, community powered advice, and personality assessments. Job candidates can figure out what “people like me” are doing with their careers and the site aims to be the first stop for career research–a “pre-Monster.com”. I find this business idea quite attractive because of its proactive approach to career discovery. If you know what your end goal is, perhaps to become a Fixed Income Trader or the Head of Digital Media at an advertising company, this site will help you trace the career path of individuals who have achieved these goals. This invaluable peek into an individuals career history will provide key information on ways to meet your goal. Perhaps you will need to pursue a specific degree, join a variety of associations, intern at a particular company in a desired field or start at an entry-level positions to gain valuable experience. This site will also be attractive to individuals who have a particular educational background or industry experience but are unsure about their next career move. Path 101 will allow individuals to see what other people with similar experiences are doing and how they have applied their creditials.
Overall, I’m really excited about this investment as is Darren. He’s taught me so much about start-ups and angel investments so its really thrilling for me to be his partner in this investment and share the experience together. We believe in Charlie and Path 101 and are really excited to see this start-up grow.
One Response to “My First Angel Investment”
February 12th, 2008 at 4:17 am
I am probably more excited than both yourself and Darren because I will have the opportunity to be a live user/candidate. Being a digital immigrant and in the case of “Path 101,” an off the beaten path kind of guy trying to make my way every way but by the book, this site could mark a major point of my evolution in career goals. I believe that a lot of people struggle with path goals (finding, clearing, and setting) and thus find themselves so disoriented that they settle or simply jump from gig to gig hoping to get a bit further than the last opportunity. This “Path 101″ has such a personal and heartfelt feel to it that I could see commercials like eHarmoney, but with the boss/owner welcoming the perfect new “long lost” highly LIFE qualified team member to the company and the fresh start in life candidate finding the perfect new title that he or she always had to give themselves in their bio, but having for the first time on their office door/name plate. You guys have fun with this one because anytime a husband and wife can do creative “start-up” anything together, you both deserve it.
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