Episode SummaryJoin Cheryl and Maxine on an insightful journey into early-stage investing in this episode of First Cheque. The discussion covers the transition from basic checklists to more sophisticated decision diaries, emphasizing structured evaluation and the importance of capturing and analysing decision-making processes over time. Key topics include understanding founder commitment, market size evaluation, and the balance between intuition and quantitative analysis. The episode offers practical advice on refining investment strategies through critical thinking, timely decision-making, and mitigating biases. Additionally, it explores the qualitative nature of early-stage investments and the value of leveraging instincts effectively. Tune in to transform your investment decisions with proven frameworks and mental models.Key Takeaways00:00 Welcome to First Cheque: Your Guide to Early-Stage Investing00:22 Diving into Decision-Making and Mental Models02:05 From Checklists to Decision Diaries07:20 Evaluating Founders and Market Size16:28 The Importance of Timing in Investment Decisions20:13 Understanding Mid to Late-Stage Investing20:56 The Role of Intuition and Quantitative Measures22:38 Challenges of Data-Driven Investment Matching23:17 Personal Experience with Investment Matching25:49 The Potential and Limitations of AI in Investing28:35 Decision Diaries: A Tool for Better Investment Choices35:03 Key Questions for Investment Decisions37:14 Reflections on Decision-Making and Instincts37:38 Conclusion and Call for FeedbackResourcesMaxine's Decision Diary TemplateSponsors:First Cheque is supported by our wonderful sponsors:Aussie Angels makes it easy for accredited investors to back early-stage startups alongside experienced syndicate leads. With no platform fees and minimum cheques from $2,500, you can build a diversified portfolio of high-growth companies with confidence.https://www.aussieangels.com/Galah Cyber: Galah Cyber are perfect for founder-lead and SAAS businesses. Galah provides advice, education, and training. Get in touch with Galah Cyber for a complimentary call to make sure you’re secured.https://dayone.fm/galah First Cheque is part of Day One.Day One helps founders and startup operators make better business decisions more often. To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new First Cheque episodes and upcoming shows. Mentioned in this episode:November 2024 - Galah CyberFC Vanta Ad March 2025_02FC Vanta Ad March 2025_02This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrpSpotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

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