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Devin: What is your superpower?
Tom: Passion is what fuels the fire in my belly… It gets me excited, keeps me up late, and helps me go after these investments.
Glenn: My superpower is bringing people together, adding value wherever I can… I try to help founders after I invest by sending resources or opportunities their way.
Regulated crowdfunding has leveled the playing field for investors, allowing almost anyone to back startups with significant growth potential. During this episode, I had the pleasure of discussing strategies with two veteran Reg CF investors, Tom J Wright and Glenn Burney, who’ve honed distinct approaches to choosing impactful investment opportunities.
Glenn emphasizes the importance of early-stage research and trusted tools like KingsCrowd, a platform that evaluates crowdfunding opportunities. “I usually start there, and if they’re rated at least a four, I start digging deeper,” he explained. Glenn’s diligence doesn’t stop there; he carefully evaluates the founders. “The most important things I look for before I invest are the founders and the total addressable market. If I believe in the founder and the product or service, that’s when I invest.”
Tom echoed many of Glenn’s insights but with his own seasoned approach, placing a special emphasis on market size. “I love a big TAM (total addressable market) because a startup can grow as big as the market allows,” he said. Using a memorable analogy, Tom compared startups to goldfish, explaining that their growth often depends on the size of their environment: “A goldfish will be small in a small tank, but if it’s in a lake, it can grow to a foot long.”
Beyond market size and founder qualities, Tom also values passion and disruptive potential. “Is the founder full-time? Are they going to do whatever it takes to make this thing successful?” He noted that revolutionary technology is often his green flag: “I love revolutionary tech because it can reset an entire market.”
Valuation also plays a critical role in their decision-making. Glenn shared his preference for startups with valuations under $20 million, explaining his goal of achieving at least a 10x return: “If I feel like I can get at least a 10x return, then I feel like the valuation is good.” Tom approaches things similarly but allows for higher valuations when the opportunity feels right. “You want in early… Low valuation and a big TAM? That’s a powerful combination.”
Tom Wright will be speaking at SuperCrowd26 featuring PurposeBuilt100™️! Register now to watch his session live.
Their stories also highlight the importance of intuition and alignment. “Does it resonate with me personally?” Tom asked, reflecting on how his values influence his choices. Glenn concluded by sharing his proudest success: investing in a startup that became a unicorn, providing him with a 21x return.
The insights shared by Tom and Glenn prove that regulated crowdfunding isn’t just about profit—it’s about backing great people with big ideas while making a difference in the world. For investors, their advice is invaluable: do your research, trust your instincts, and focus on opportunities that combine potential impact with strong fundamentals.
tl;dr:
Tom and Glenn share strategies for evaluating and investing in Reg CF startups for impact.
They highlight tools like KingsCrowd and key criteria such as TAM and founder commitment.
Glenn recounts his story of helping a startup raise $125,000 via a meaningful introduction.
Tom and Glenn discuss aligning investments with personal values and market trends for success.
Both emphasize the power of passion and networking in transforming investments into impact.
How to Develop Passion and Networking As a Superpower
Tom’s superpower is his passion, which fuels his mission to make the world more just. As he explained, “Passion is what fuels the fire in my belly… It gets me excited, keeps me up late, and helps me go after these investments.” Glenn’s superpower is networking and connection. He shared, “My superpower is bringing people together, adding value wherever I can… I try to help founders after I invest by sending resources or opportunities their way.”
Glenn shared a story that exemplified his networking prowess. After investing in a startup, he connected them with an accelerator program that ultimately helped them raise $125,000. His introduction led the company to win the program’s grand prize, underscoring how impactful his connections could be for early-stage companies.
Tips for Developing the Superpower:
Continuously seek inspiration by surrounding yourself with motivational materials, like books and quotes.
Look for examples of courage and perseverance from history and everyday life to reignite passion.
Focus on adding value to others before asking for help in networking situations.
Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn to build meaningful professional connections.
Look for ways to champion others’ success through introductions and referrals.
By following Tom and Glenn’s example and advice, you can make passion and networking your superpowers. With practice and effort, you could develop these skills to do more good in the world through impactful investments and purposeful connections.
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
Tom J Wright (he/him):
Angel Investor/Unicorn Hunter/Crowdfunding Course Creator, Angel Investor, Crowdfunding Course Creator
About Online Angel Investing/Crowdfunding Courses for Investors: Tom Wright is currently preparing several online angel investing/crowdfunding courses for investors who want to learn how to take advantage of the INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES that now exist for every-day people, in start-up companies. These courses will be part of an amazing, informative and highly actionable group of ongoing courses available through Tom’s Angel Investing Academy, available soon at Kajabi.com
Website: Please look for his angel investing courses soon at Kajabi
Other URL: youtube.com/watch?v=yDjYw0mfRHc
Biographical Information: Tom Wright is an accomplished angel investor and startup expert with a portfolio spanning 141 startup companies. An early investor in Cisco, Tom has built a reputation for identifying promising companies and supporting entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of growth.
He was ranked #7 among startup investors worldwide on Wefunder, one of the world’s leading equity crowdfunding platforms. His experience has also led him to become an angel investing expert and course creator, helping others understand startup investing and how to evaluate emerging opportunities.
Tom’s influence extends across the startup and investment community. At Wefunder, he is followed by Mr. Wonderful of Shark Tank, StartEngine, and more than 555 other angel investors, startup founders, and venture capital firms.
With deep firsthand experience as both an investor and educator, Tom brings a practical perspective on startup investing, portfolio building, and finding high-potential companies before they become widely recognized.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tom-wright-59a80324
Glenn Burney (he/him):
Accounting Manager, American University
About American University: American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly ranked schools and colleges, internationally renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Our students distinguish themselves for their service, leadership, and ability to rethink global and domestic challenges and opportunities.
Biographical Information: Glenn Burney is an accounting professional and active angel investor based in Arlington, Virginia. He serves as an Accounting Manager at American University, where he leads a team responsible for financial reporting, reconciliations, endowment accounting, and other critical financial operations. Outside of his professional career, Glenn has built a diverse portfolio of early-stage investments across healthcare, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, energy, consumer products, and other emerging industries. He is especially passionate about identifying promising founders and companies before their potential is widely recognized. Glenn approaches angel investing with disciplined curiosity, combining detailed research, thoughtful founder engagement, and a willingness to support ambitious ideas that could create meaningful economic and social impact.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/glenn-k-burney-jr-68a55842/
Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/glenn.kevin.3
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Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
Join the SuperCrowd Impact League! You can be recognized for making impact investments via Reg CF. See how your activity compares to your peers. It’s free. Win valuable prizes. Start now!
SuperCrowd Impact Member Networking Session: Impact (and, of course, Max-Impact) Members of the SuperCrowd are invited to a private networking session on September 8th at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT. Mark your calendar. We’ll send private emails to Impact Members with registration details. Upgrade to Impact Membership today!
SuperCrowdHour, August 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on “How to Make Money As an Impact Investor Starting with $10.” Drawing on his experience as a former investment banker, impact investor, and crowdfunding expert, Devin will demonstrate how anyone can begin building wealth while investing in companies that create positive social and environmental impact—even with as little as $10. In this session, he’ll explore how impact crowdfunding has opened investment opportunities to everyday investors, explain how to identify promising mission-driven companies, and share practical strategies for building a diversified portfolio over time. Attendees will learn how to get started with limited capital, manage risk, evaluate investment opportunities, and avoid common mistakes new investors make. Whether you’re completely new to investing or looking for an affordable way to expand your impact investing portfolio, this SuperCrowdHour will provide actionable insights to help you invest with purpose, build long-term wealth, and make a meaningful difference. Register now!
SuperCrowd26 featuring PurposeBuilt100™: This August 25–27, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders will gather for a three-day, broadcast-quality global experience focused on disciplined capital formation, regulated investment crowdfunding, and purpose-driven growth. We’re bringing together leading voices in impact investing, compliance, digital marketing, and circular economy innovation to deliver practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies. The event culminates in the PurposeBuilt100™ Showcase, recognizing 100 of the fastest-growing purpose-driven companies in the U.S. Register now to secure your seat and get all the details. August 25–27, streaming worldwide.
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