tiredkid

I agree; I don't think YC would be impressed with my 'strategic value'.

I don't want a coffee shop either - I couldn't think of anything worse.

I'm an accredited investor. The amount I listed was the amount of my liquid cash I was looking to invest; entirely separate from my long term investments which are invested in places where I've already signed the paperwork assuring them I'm accredited etc.

A great question!

If that's what I learn here, then its a great piece of information all by itself.

Assuming I and some other angel offer comparable amounts, then you should go with the guy with more contacts and a better track record. That certainly isn't me. If you happen to need excellent technical advice on systems software and hardware then I can help and have amazing contacts for that.

But you raise an excellent point in that it may well be that I'm not at the right phase of my career to be an angel.

Vegas gets boring. I have existing separate long term investments I intend to retire off. No particular interest in the stock market right now. (Been there, wrote the code, made some money).

Now that's an interesting idea I hadn't considered; will need to ponder whether the limited amount of cash (rental equivalent * x months) is sufficient investment. I suppose a club house for hackers has other benefits as well..

Meeting the right startup people is very important to me. As with everyone else I have a list of cool ideas. The trick will be the right people to execute.

I don't need to work for the money, but I need to work. More accurately I love building things and having people use them. I could get a greencard, perhaps more quickly, by investing $1m in a company according to my lawyers, and even work on it myself, but I don't want to paint myself int a corner with needing to hire at a certain rate or not being able to drastically change direction.

Yes, I've considered other locations. But, I think California has made me soft - I love it here.

I don't need to outsource a lot of code development. Over the course of 2 years I can crank out a large % myself.

I live here fulltime. More time networking is definitely on the cards - but I think I need to concentrate on new circles. For example, I know well known processor architects but no web people.

Yes, I've thought about that. In fact I've written some code already, I have what I believe is a good niche and I know how to build what is needed, but I'd also like to get more involved in the startup world in advance of my being able to start my own company.

I've set a budget of ~20% of my liquid capital and can afford to lose it, I believe. I have no debts etc.

What can of financial position do you suggest is a minimum for an Angel?