Over the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to invest directly in start-ups as an angel investor, invest in venture capital funds as a limited partner, invest directly into start-ups as a Partner at a venture capital firm, and help organizations do their due diligence on direct investments into start-ups with strategic value.

I’ve learned a ton from all of it—but I’ve learned the most from investments when my personal capital has been on the line. This includes investments in funds and start-ups.

I learn best by doing, and in investing, “doing” means investing my own capital.