You don't know; that's why it an investment. :D If I had this money to invest, I'd put it in a 6-month CD while I did research. I'd spend 2+ days a week going

You don't know; that's why it an investment. :D If I had this money to invest, I'd put it in a 6-month CD while I did research. I'd spend 2+ days a week going to meetups, hanging out at cafes, talking, listening, making friends, making notes. Also I'd try to get time with more experienced investors and ask their advice. After that intense immersion, then I'd feel qualified to invest. Here's the problem with that plan. The startups I'd been talking with would be very annoyed with me by that time. Here I am, with all this cash, and all I want to do is waste their time asking them questions over coffee!