For many people, the toughest part about being an angel is the waiting.

You invest in a tiny startup, hoping it will eventually be worth billions. But, of course, a tiny company doesn’t become IPO-sized overnight.

In fact, you should expect to hold your portfolio companies for anywhere from three to five years. Some may even take a decade to pan out.

If that sounds agonizing to you, try and remember that good things come to those who wait.

The long timeline exists for a reason – and, believe it or not, I actually think it’s a good thing.

Because we’re not looking for million-dollar companies… we’re looking for unicorns.

Truly revolutionary ideas – like living on Mars, lab-grown meat, cures for common viruses, and self-driving cars – cannot be brought to life in a year or two.

And businesses that change the world are the ones that will bring in the biggest returns.

So, when you sign on to a deal, expect to be in it for the long haul.

And enjoy the ride – after all, you’re helping these startups make history.

Until next time,

Neil Patel