How Angel Investing Can Be a Force for Good

I’m not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! Devin: What is your superpower? Marcia: Resourcefulness and decisiveness. Angel investing has long been seen as an exclusive domain reserved for the wealthy. Marcia Dawood, an experienced investor and advocate for small business capital formation, is on a mission to change that perception. In today’s episode, she shared how equity crowdfunding has made it possible for anyone to invest in startups and drive meaningful change. Marcia has been an angel investor for over a decade and served as chair of the Angel Capital Association. She now sits on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, working to ensure small businesses have a voice in regulatory decisions. During our conversation, she reflected on the transformative power of equity crowdfunding. "Back in 2016, when the SEC changed the rules, it became possible for anyone to invest in startups for as little as $50," she said. "But not enough people know about it. The potential for impact is enormous." Marcia’s journey into angel investing began with a simple invitation to an investor meeting. At first, she assumed it was a world reserved for the rich and well-connected. But as she listened to entrepreneurs share their visions for changing the world, she realized she could be part of it. “I thought, ‘Where have I been?’ I had no idea this was happening,” she recalled. “I started to see how powerful investing could be as a force for good.” Today, Marcia is committed to making investing more inclusive. She highlights that platforms like Republic, WeFunder, and StartEngine have made startup investing transparent and accessible. "Everything is disclosed on the platform—CEOs can’t have side conversations with select investors. That levels the playing field," she explained. One of her biggest concerns is the lack of funding for women-led startups. "Women make up about half the population, but they receive just two to three percent of venture funding. That has to change," she emphasized. By encouraging more people—especially women—to invest, Marcia believes equity crowdfunding can reshape the entrepreneurial landscape. For those hesitant to take the leap into impact investing, her advice is simple: start by observing. "Take your time, look around, and learn. See which companies align with your values. Then, when you’re ready, take that first step." Marcia’s message is clear: investing isn’t just about financial returns—it’s about fueling innovation and creating a better world. By lowering barriers to entry, equity crowdfunding is opening the doors for everyone to be part of that change. tl;dr: * Marcia Dawood discusses how equity crowdfunding is expanding access to capital for underrepresented founders and everyday investors. * She shares her journey into angel investing and how it has become a powerful tool for impact. * Marcia highlights the importance of transparency and accessibility in platforms like Republic, WeFunder, and StartEngine. * She explains the need for more investment in women-led startups and the potential for crowdfunding to bridge the gap. * Marcia identifies decisiveness and resourcefulness as her superpowers, offering actionable tips for making better decisions and solving problems efficiently. How to Develop Decisiveness and Resourcefulness As a Superpower Marcia Dawood has honed two superpowers that have propelled her success: decisiveness and resourcefulness. "I’ve had people tell me that if they were in a crisis, they’d want to stand next to me," she said in today’s episode. Whether in angel investing, business, or personal life, she has built a reputation for making quick, confident decisions and creatively solving problems. One of the most powerful examples of her decisiveness came during the pandemic. She shared the story of JoyLux, a startup whose CEO immediately pivoted when faced with financial uncertainty. Instead of waiting for conditions to improve, the company quickly adjusted its strategy, engaged investors, and ensured financial stability. "That kind of decisiveness can be the difference between survival and failure," Marcia explained. For those looking to develop decisiveness, Marcia offers practical advice: * Identify the Core Decision – Clarify what needs to be decided and focus on key factors. * Seek Input, but Don’t Overanalyze – Consult trusted sources, but avoid analysis paralysis. * Take Ownership – Make a choice and commit to it, rather than second-guessing. * Learn from Decisions – Reflect on past choices to improve future decision-making. * Act with Confidence – Recognize that no decision is perfect, but moving forward is better than inaction. By following Marcia’s example and advice, you can make decisiveness and resourcefulness a skill. With practice and effort, you could make them a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world. Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you! Guest Profile Marcia Dawood (she/her): Advisor on the Small Business Capital Formation Committee - Vice Chair, TEDx Speaker, Podcast Host, Author, Associate Producer, Helping people learn to Do Good while Doing Well, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission About U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: The SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee was established by the SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016, and is designed to provide a formal mechanism for the Commission to receive advice and recommendations on Commission rules, regulations and policy matters relating to small businesses, including smaller public companies. The Committee meets quarterly, and all meetings are open to the public. Website: marciadawood.com sec.gov X/Twitter Handle: @SECGov Company Facebook Page: fb.com/SECgov Instagram Handle: @secgov Biographical Information: Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor, author, and advocate for diverse entrepreneurs. She serves on the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee and is a venture partner at Mindshift Capital. As chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association, she champions angel investing to drive innovation. Marcia hosts The Angel Next Door podcast and co-produced the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money. Her book, Do Good While Doing Well, empowers investors to create impact. With over 50 early-stage investments, she is committed to building thriving companies that drive positive change. Marcia lives in North Carolina with her family. Personal Facebook Profile: fb.com/marcia.dawood Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/marciadawood Support Our Sponsors Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, Ecotone Renewables, SuperCrowdLA and Crowdfunding Made Simple. Learn more about advertising with us here. Max-Impact Members The following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support: Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Add Your Name Here Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual. * Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on February 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd. * SuperCrowdHour, February 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe will be leading a session on "Calculating Your Funding Needs," providing essential guidance for entrepreneurs and impact-driven businesses to determine the right amount to raise for sustainable growth. Whether you're preparing for your first crowdfunding campaign or planning to scale, this is a must-attend! Don’t miss it! * Superpowers for Good Live Pitch for Q1-25, March 12, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET. The application window for the 1st quarter live pitch event is now open. Apply here. * SuperCrowdLA: we’re going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can’t-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow! Community Event Calendar * Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events * Kingscrowd Meet Up in Seattle, WA - February 13th at 5:00 PM PT * Kingscrowd Meet Up in Salt Lake City, UT - February 17th at 4:30 PM MT * Kingscrowd Meet Up in Los Angeles, CA - February 19th at 5:00 PM PT * Kingscrowd Meet Up in West Hartford, CT - February 24th at 5:30 PM ET * Capital Raise Strategies for Purpose Driven Enterprises, hosted by PathLight Law, February 25 at 1:00 PM ET. * Kingscrowd Meet UP in San Francisco, CA - February 27th at 5:30 PM PT * Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET. * NC3 Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds, March 7, 2025 * Asheville Neighborhood Economics, April 1-2, 2-25. * Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025. Call for community action: * Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefitting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here. If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here. We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe