Expanding financial assistance for living Negro League players Max Effgen, July 22, 2024July 22, 2024 Since May, there has been a flurry of news regarding the Negro Leagues inclusion into Major League Baseball. The Negro Leagues persisted independently in response to common societal segregation and racism. Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League, captured this entrepreneurial spirit with the leagues’ slogan, “We Are the… Continue Reading
Startup Investing for Student Entrepreneurs Max Effgen, May 14, 2024June 5, 2024 Startup Investing for Student Entrepreneurs I have been fortunate to work with student-led startups recently. A common theme in their questions is how to raise money and the structures that these startups should consider. The outside investment process is specifically, no founder, no friends and family money. People who do… Continue Reading
Conquering Heroes Max Effgen, January 11, 2024January 11, 2024 Congratulations to the 2023 Michigan Wolverines! This season has been tremendous. Really happy I had a chance to see a game at the Big House and the Rose Bowl this season. This victory was a true team effort. It starts at the top. Coach Harbaugh embodies the Michigan Man (See… Continue Reading
Godspeed Steve Kopcha Max Effgen, January 4, 2024 Saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Kopcha, a fraternity brother from University of Michigan. Kind, thoughtful and intelligent are words that normally do not define a young fraternity man, but that was Steve. My fondest memory of him comes from an intramural slow pitch softball game. Steve had… Continue Reading
Angel Investing Year in Review Max Effgen, December 14, 2023 As 2023 comes to a close, here is my take on the angel investing landscape. Overall, 2023 saw a chill on investments and deal flow due largely to the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in March. For startups on the West Coast, SVB was the go-to bank especially those… Continue Reading
“Grease the groove” Max Effgen, November 14, 2023 A re-post from 2009 but still true today. I have noticed a common thread in some distinct readings. This common thread relates to positive habits and how to build them. Fitness, personal or professional habits can be shaped if you, “Grease the groove.” Russian Kettlebell guru, Pavel Tsatouline coined the… Continue Reading
Godspeed Bobby Knight Max Effgen, November 1, 2023 Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight spoke at Fenwick for a “coaches clinic” on the one Saturday weekend in spring that I was not playing water polo in 1989. It was during my junior year. Coach Knight was the premier basketball coach at that time having won his third NCAA title… Continue Reading
How to do great work Max Effgen, October 23, 2023 Finding something to work on is not simply a matter of finding a match between the current version of you and a list of known problems. You’ll often have to coevolve with the problem. That’s why it can sometimes be so hard to figure out what to work on. Paul… Continue Reading
Improve your outreach Max Effgen, September 14, 2023September 14, 2023 Startup Outreach Slap an “angel investor” tag on your LinkedIn profile and watch the unsolicited outreach from startups of all sizes and industries fill your Inbox. I do love the hustle and the willingness to “cold call.” All positive signs are that these startups may get some traction for some… Continue Reading
Godspeed Joe Shymanski Max Effgen, September 13, 2023 Joe Shymanski . PHOTO: CALVERT CO., MD SHERIFF’S OFFICE Joe Shymanski was one of the first people I met at University of Michigan. Later, I was his fraternity brother. He was always positive and upbeat. For my first two years at U of M, he was constant presence. Later on, after… Continue Reading