PAIN to PROFIT$: Goodbye College Athletes, the Steroid Olympics, and Meta Takes on Marketers

$TREET $MART
Uh-Oh: College Sports is a Job

The NCAA has a history of greed and the exploitation of key contributors. For years, universities, under the NCAA's governance, reaped massive financial rewards from college sports while enforcing stringent rules that prevented athletes from sharing in the profits. This model, echoing crony capitalism, prioritized institutional gain over the welfare and rights of the athletes themselves.

As a former college athlete, I can relate to these college athletes. Despite scholarships, many athletes struggled financially, trapped in a system that demanded their time and talent but offered little in return. This exploitation was unfair and short-sighted, ignoring the long-term value athletes bring to their institutions.

The rise of NIL rights and movements towards unionization, as seen at Dartmouth, is monumental. In essence, the transformation within college athletics serves as a testament to the power of market forces in rectifying exploitation and a reminder that greed, especially at the expense of those who are the foundation of an institution's success, is ultimately a losing strategy.

PUL$E
Redefining Accredited Investors: A Strategic Consideration for Entrepreneurs

In December, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a report discussing potential changes to the accredited investor definition, following recommendations from the Investor Advisory Committee and the Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. For entrepreneurs, this is a pivotal development, as accredited investor status plays a crucial role in startup financing and investment strategies.

The Dodd-Frank Act mandates a quadrennial review of this definition by the SEC, focusing on balancing investor protection with facilitating capital access, which is essential for innovation and economic growth. This report is not a rule-making document but a platform to consider changes and gather public feedback. Entrepreneurs should be aware of the possible narrowing or broadening of this definition, as it directly impacts their potential investor base and their capital-raising strategies.

1. Balancing Investor Protection with Capital Access for Businesses
   The SEC's core mission includes safeguarding investors and promoting capital access. The Securities Act of 1933, with its rigorous registration requirements for public offerings, aims to protect investors. However, it recognizes that these requirements can be burdensome for businesses, especially small ones crucial for job creation and economic health. Hence, exemptions exist for private and small public offerings. Changes in the accredited investor definition directly influence who can legally invest in such offerings, affecting the scope of opportunities available to entrepreneurs.

2. Evolving Criteria for Accredited Investors
   The criteria for accredited investor status have evolved, impacting the pool of potential investors for startups and small businesses. Recent amendments have expanded this pool, including professionals with specific licenses and family offices. Entrepreneurs should be aware of these shifts as they open new avenues for funding.

3. Proposed Amendments and Their Impact on Entrepreneurs
   The SEC is considering various amendments to the definition of an accredited investor. For entrepreneurs, these changes are significant as they can alter the landscape of potential investors. Proposals include adjustments for inflation, new measures of investor sophistication, and alternative approaches to gauge financial acumen. Each amendment has implications for your fundraising strategies and the diversity of your investor base.

4. Sophistication Beyond Financial Metrics
   The SEC is exploring ways to measure investor sophistication beyond net worth or income, which could broaden the investor pool for entrepreneurs. This includes considering professional licenses or other markers of investment savvy, potentially opening up a more diverse and knowledgeable group of investors.

5. The Significance of the Accredited Investor Definition for Entrepreneurs
   For entrepreneurs, understanding the definition of an accredited investor is crucial. It determines who can invest in your company without the need for extensive disclosures, significantly affecting your fundraising strategies. A narrow definition may limit your potential investor base, while a broader one could open up new funding opportunities.

6. Encouraging Thoughtful Participation in the Investment Landscape
   As the definition evolves, entrepreneurs should proactively understand these changes and how they affect investment in startups and small businesses. Engaging in the discussion and providing feedback to the SEC is crucial, as your insights can help shape a more conducive investment environment.

The SEC's decision to define an accredited investor is pivotal for the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It influences who can invest in your ventures and under what conditions. Staying informed and involved in this discussion is essential for entrepreneurs looking to navigate the investment landscape effectively and leverage opportunities for growth and innovation.

BRAND DAMAGE
The Tale of Two Worlds Colliding

The United States is quickly heading to a breaking point.

Much like the rest of the Western world.

The fault lines lie primarily in the realm of media but will undoubtedly trickle into the streets of our towns and cities in a not-so-ignorable future.

Spend 4 minutes and look at these two snapshots of coverage of the breaking news that now “independent journalist” Tucker Carlson is in Russia for a potential interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

First up CNN…

Now pay close attention to the way the very people in the land Carlson was visiting received news about the prospective encounter.

Decision-making is nothing new for entrepreneurs, but the greater choices we must make are staring us down…

What are we really doing all of this building for?

What kind of country will we call our home at the end of it?

History will tell of our answers to these questions, much more than our business success.

Xcelerated Performance
The Only Way to Stop Procrastinating

In Case You Missed It
News For Your Consideration

• Billionaire Peter Thiel is betting big on the “Steroid Olympics.”

• WOW! 150 democrats voted against a bill last week that would deport illegal immigrants convicted of a felon in the U.S.

• A slap in the face! Illegal migrants flip the bird to the media(and us) and laugh after being arrested AND QUICKLY RELEASED.

• So It Begins: Meta cuts off third-party access to Facebook Groups.