What defines an investor’s success? Is annual income the only indicator? Although this component is certainly key, building the right connections is equally important.
In today’s world, having access to valuable data can make all the difference in achieving investment goals. In this article, we’ll discuss why networking directly impacts net worth, as well as provide insights into how to find and join the best network.
Networking is a practice that goes way back. In the past, strong alliances were forged through arranged marriages between kingdoms and at grand balls that brought together the nobles of society. Such events were much more than just social gatherings – they were strategic opportunities to cultivate relationships and secure mutual benefits.
These days, many people pursue networking primarily for immediate benefits. That said, viewing networking as nothing more than an exchange of information is a narrow perspective. This begs the question: What does networking actually mean in today’s society?
In a nutshell, a network is a long-term investment with multiple benefits, the foremost being the establishment of strong, mutually beneficial relationships with like-minded individuals. Many tend to underestimate the breadth of their network, while subconsciously relying on it in day-to-day life. It extends far beyond family, friends, and colleagues; it’s also your neighbors, people you meeting hobby classes, and many others with whom you've connected.
If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.
— Warren Buffett
Many of today’s leaders in their fields have made their way by creating strong relationships with people around them since their time in school, like Larry Page and Sergey Brin who founded Google together after meeting at Stanford. This is an example of an alumni network —a social network where people form professional relationships with others from their school, college, or university. Often, they choose undergraduate and graduate programs featuring social groups whose interests closely mirror their own. This selection process leads to more interaction and helps build lasting relationships.
For instance, Melanie Perkins pitched Canva as a student project together with Cliff Obrecht and later teamed up with former Google UI designer Cameron Adams. Today, Canva is valued at USD 26 billion, with an annual recurring revenue of USD 2.3 billion.
Canva co-founders Cliff Obrecht, Melanie Perkins, and Cameron Adams
Source: Getty Images
Personal networks are typically built around social and professional relationships. Investment networks, on the other hand, bring together industry experts, entrepreneurs, and others with the goal of pooling resources, sharing market knowledge and insights, and growing wealth together. They also provide a platform for members to explore exclusive opportunities, collaborate on investment strategies, and forge strategic partnerships.
Alliances with like-minded individuals provide members access to a pool of promising investment opportunities often overlooked by traditional channels. This includes exclusive deals, such as investments is cutting-edge private companies, that would otherwise be out of reach due to high entry thresholds, often as high as USD 25 million, or other barriers. Moreover, building a stellar reputation within your network can shift the common ‘‘chasing’’ dynamic, meaning opportunities will come knocking at your door, allowing you to avoid having to run after them.
Being part of an investor network allows you to engage in dynamic discussions with seasoned investors and industry experts. This collaborative environment fosters a culture of continuous, active learning, providing timely insights that go far beyond what you can find in outdated books or yesterday's headlines. Staying ahead of the curve sharpens decision-making and helps you identify great opportunities before they hit the mainstream radar, offering you a distinct competitive edge as a member.
When evaluating a new investment opportunity, members of an investment network can tap into a wealth of collective intelligence. Not only can they draw upon referrals to top-tier legal and financial advisors for thorough due diligence, but as a cherry on top, they also gain valuable insights from more seasoned peers.
The circle offers informed perspectives on where to invest and where to tread carefully, based on deep industry knowledge and analytical understanding, which helps assess business models more thoroughly. While in most cases personal due diligence is still necessary, joining a reputable investment network can save investors time. They can rely on the network's expertise, which has already carefully vetted opportunities, reducing the need for extensive individual research.
Without a clear understanding of where to seek opportunities and which doors to approach, joining the right network can be challenging. To illustrate this, consider how high net-worth individuals network.
Many opportunities arise from attending high-profile events such as the World Economic Forum in Davos or the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference in Idaho, where the world’s wealthiest individuals gather to discuss global economic trends and investment opportunities. These events aren’t just about formal meetings but also about building relationships during dinners, private parties, and exclusive gatherings.
Another effective way to cultivate a network is through shared hobbies and interests that naturally bring together similar-minded individuals. For instance, the world of yachting is basically a floating networking hub, with events like the Monaco Yacht Show providing a luxurious backdrop for informal yet meaningful exchanges.
Opportunities do not float like clouds in the sky. They’re attached to people. If you’re looking for an opportunity, you’re really looking for a person.
– Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn
HNWI investors and entrepreneurs place a high value on cultivating genuine relationships with individuals who share their interests or can provide valuable knowledge and connections. Therefore, anyone aspiring to cultivate relationships with the ultra-wealthy should focus on investing in themselves and their knowledge, as well as actively participating in relevant circle activities to become a part of a greater community.
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Until you hear ‘No,’ you haven’t been turned down.
— Rein Hoffman, from the book “The Startup of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career”
Networking requires both the confidence to initiate connections and the patience to sustain them. Establishing a connection is just the beginning; sustaining it demands ongoing effort — a challenge many find laborious. However, history is replete with examples of individuals whose regret often lies in missed opportunities, rather than in actions taken. This leads us to conclude that proactivity is crucial for strong, lasting relationships within the community.
Effective networking is less about immediate results and more about nurturing relationships over time. It’s about persistently showing up, offering value, and expressing genuine interest in others. These sustained efforts inevitably pay off in the end.
At Moonshot, we have developed an ecosystem where like-minded investors can thrive. The value extends beyond access to exclusive investment opportunities; it opens doors to private networking events, featuring prominent CEOs, visionary company founders, and other esteemed industry leaders who share insights typically reserved for institutional investors.
Moonshot’s Lift-off events are the expression of a unique environment, a salon for creators and explorers. Picture being able to network with visionary entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of shaping tomorrow’s world and have already reaped the rewards of their contributions to groundbreaking companies like SpaceX, Anthropic, or xAI. What’s more, for those who prefer a more flexible approach, our regular online investment presentations offer a front-row seat to the latest advancements and investment prospects.
Strategic connections have always played a crucial role in shaping both personal and professional landscapes. From historical alliances to modern-day networking, the cultivation of meaningful relationships continues to be a cornerstone of success in investing. In the current era, effective networking means more than immediate gains. Rather, it’s along-term investment that fosters enduring bonds and opens doors to exclusive opportunities and valuable insights. By actively participating in these networks and consistently contributing, individuals can navigate the economic landscape and grow their influence within their communities.
Invite your network to discover our exclusive private market investments, such as Synhelion or SpaceX, and earn lucrative rewards. If you share Moonshot as a logged-in user, you automatically make 2% (and up to 5% with our ambassador program) on your referral's first investment.
