Startup angel returns follow a power law — 1-2 deals carry the portfolio. Minimum viable portfolio is 10 deals. Below that, you're effectively betting on one company.
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US-NRI tax overlay
SEBI AIFs are PFICs for US tax residents — punitive Form 8621 treatment. Direct equity in private Indian companies typically isn't PFIC. Platform choice matters more for US-NRIs than for residents.
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Scorecard-first
Every deal scored on 8 dimensions before allocating. Framework retrospectively tested on 10 famous Indian startups (Flipkart, Zomato, BYJU's, Paytm, Nykaa, etc.) using public-at-the-time signals. Free, no signup.
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Affiliate status
No platform pays us. Picks rank by reader fit (residency, ticket size, US-PFIC exposure), not commission. Full disclosure on /about.
What we ignore: pre-revenue startup decks at unicorn valuations, "guaranteed return" angel platforms, FOMO-driven hot rounds, recycled pitch decks from elsewhere.
0 paid placements ever. Quarterly editorial audit · last full review: May 2026.