2017 Was the Year Investing Took on a Whole New Meaning

The year of 2017 was marked by both high points and low points and we once again saw evidence that our lives are moving faster and faster and change is all around us. The year end is a perfect time to share the themes that emerged and guided Plum Alley in 2017 and some observations and learnings that we will take with us as we head into 2018.

The year of 2017 had low points-- all of which occurred outside of our work at Plum Alley. Some of those low points are still with us--a new reality in our national government with the erosion of truth and the values that guided us for several decades. We felt the cold realization this year that non-human bots are programmed to influence our elections and public policy, and we are getting the first glimpse of the unintended consequences or the dark side of technology dependence. It is against this backdrop that Plum Alley doubled down to guide and embolden others as investors to have a voice and to exert our individual and collective investing power to create the future we want.

The high points in 2017 were also profound. Outside of Plum Alley, we saw the bravery of many women who had to relive the trauma they experienced with sexual harassment or assault to bring justice and closure to the destructive and unlawful behavior they endured. The "#metoo" movement precipitated actions that no one could have predicted as media and business titans fell from grace and power. This movement reminded us of the power we have as individuals and collectively when we step up and take action. The high points at Plum Alley were numerous as we expanded our reach by engaging more women, men and families to invest in innovative companies solving important problems in the world. We are over the moon that Plum Alley closed 9 syndicate investments aggregating nearly $6.5 million in two short years. This was achieved because our team and members believe in the entrepreneurs, companies and mission of Plum Alley.

The year of 2017 also had some notable outcomes in early stage companies and innovation. Who would have predicted that a company founded by a woman would have achieved nearly $1 billion in revenues in 6 years, have raised less than $45 million in outside capital, go public and set a new benchmark for the efficient use of capital and the importance of a real and deliberate revenue model? This year also saw the first returns being made by investors in crypto-currencies and the creation of a new crop of billionaires as early Bitcoin investors achieved a 1,600X return in mid-December. Smart minds are still debating if we are in a bubble, or if this is more evidence our reality is forever changed with new technology applications and inventions. In either case, we know that the velocity and magnitude of change will only increase in the future. While human beings are creatures of habit and love predictability, it is a time to accept a new reality and learn to embrace change. We really have no choice as change will happen anyway so we might as well fasten our seat belts, adapt and see change as an opportunity especially as we invest. 

Themes and words that emerged in 2017

With the launch of Plum Alley Investments two years ago, we fully transitioned Plum Alley into a private membership of investors committed to invest with intention and the commitment to be "future literate" with the rapid pace of innovation. Two words have become dominant in our thinking and shaped the year for us. Those two words are invest and currency and here is how those words took on new meaning in 2017.

The word invest has become more than a verb-- it has become an action verb. The word invest embodies the words hopeful and future. Investing is an action that is deliberate, personal and powerful. It carries a sense of self determination. 

As we reflect on 2017, we see investing as the way to redefine the future and take deliberate action. The word investing means so much more than the narrow definition of investing in financial securities. Here are some of the contexts we saw the word invest put into use at Plum Alley during 2017:

Invest for your future well-being

Invest in yourself

Invest in education and continual learning

Invest to solve big problems in the world

Invest for the long-term

Invest in women founders

Invest in the next generation of companies

Invest for returns both financial and personal

The second word that came alive at Plum Alley this year was currency. We watched the investment community focus on crypto-currencies. At Plum Alley we pondered the underlying meaning of the word currency. The dominant meaning of currency is money but the definition is much more powerful and broad based. Currency is best defined as a unit of value. The object (money or coin) alone has no value. What gives money value is how it is used, what it can enable, the worth society places on it and how available or scarce it is. 

When you consider currency as all the units of value we have in our lives, our currency is way beyond money. We are all rich with our various forms of value and we have currency that is under-appreciated. This year was a year when it became evident that the currency of time, relationships, and knowledge of our members is fundamental to what we are building and what distinguishes us in the investing community. Plum Alley is on a quest to enable our members to identify and use all forms of currency, in the best and most meaningful way. We have only begun to tap the currency that our members hold and we are excited for the potential that it will unleash in 2018 and beyond.

At the Office of Plum Alley

Year-end is the perfect time to report on the unreported things that have happened at Plum Alley "back stage" in our office and made the year what it was. There was abundant discovery and learning in 2017 with the work of our team as we became laser focused on providing an alternative for many to invest in private companies with a better model. We watched and learned from our members as they invested and supported our syndicate companies.

Nothing can be achieved without a quality team and the deep commitment to the vision and potential of Plum Alley. There have been countless times, we saw a contribution from a member of our team that was nothing short of magical. We are proud to have a team that is diverse on many counts--age, gender, orientation and background. In a small team of 8, we have one person who was born in Nigeria and one born in Brazil, a Texan, a midwesterner, a Bostonian and a few New Yorkers. Our NY team sits together at a very large table which allows us to communicate freely. There is diversity of thought and perspective and it makes us better at what we do. We have an environment of experimentation and learning with a commitment to evolve and refine continually as we strive to embrace change and new ways of thinking. We learn from each other and personal and professional growth is part of the ethos of our culture.

We are full of gratitude for our mighty team and for our members. We would not be where we are today without your participation and countless contributions.

Onward in 2018 and Beyond

We are obsessed about creating an even more meaningful and personal experience for our members as we go forward. Here is what we will hold dear next year as we warrior ahead to make investing a meaningful and worthy part of your life:

Continual learning is necessary to be relevant in investing, in the future and at Plum Alley.

Confidence, integrity and intentionality are timeless and rewarding in the long-run.

Get comfortable with change, embrace it.

Nuances matter in our thinking, in our definitions, and in our labels. 

Gratitude is spiritual and fear crumbles with belief.

Currency is powerful, especially beyond money.

Expertise, values and interests are important guide posts to make investing rewarding.

Spend your time wisely and invest in what matters.

Cheers to the future, 

Deborah