Jeremy Au chats with Jed Ng, founder of AngelSchool.vc, about why he chose angel syndicates over VC funds as a faster, more flexible path to financial freedom. They discuss the current venture downturn as a rare opportunity, the gaps in angel education, and how Jed scaled his 1,400-member syndicate globally. Jed also shares how he evaluates founders and the hard truths of building solo in Southeast Asia’s venture scene.

1. Syndicate over fund by design: Jed explains why syndicates offer faster execution, greater flexibility, and more personal freedom compared to the 10-year commitment of VC funds.

2. Angel investing as a freedom strategy: He views angel investing not just as a financial play, but as a path to independence through systematic access to outsized returns.

3. Downturns are entry points: Jed frames the current venture slowdown as a rare opportunity—where long-term investors can “buy the dip” and build for the next upcycle.

4. Angel education is broken: While founders and VCs have support systems, angels don’t. Jed built Angel School to give new investors real tools—not just theory—to operate effectively.

5. Built global from day one: His syndicate scaled to 1,400 LPs across 14 countries using digital tools and inbound growth, proving that solo-led syndicates can operate at global scale.

6. Diligence isn’t just data: Jed looks beyond pitch decks to assess founder-market fit, sweat equity, and grit—focusing on long-term behavior over short-term polish.

7. Founder romanticism is risky: Not everyone should raise venture. Jed calls for filtering out hobbyist founders and backing only those who demonstrate true commitment and resilience.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/syndicates-over-funds

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts