User:Propelx/sandbox

Propel(x) is an online crowdfunding platform for equity-based investing in "deep technology" startups.

Foundation
Propel(x), origninally called "The Founders Market," was founded in 2013 by Swati Chaturvedi and Lisheng Wang, who had met years before while studying at MIT, and had together founded an angel investing group for MIT alumni in the San Francisco Bay Area. The two started Propel(x) based on the realization that there was "a strong appetite amongst angels to invest in deep technology startups, which was being frustrated by a dearth of consistent, high quality deal flow and inaccessible expert insight."

Niche
Propel(x) is focused on the niche of enabling investments in deep technology startups. According to Propel(x), a deep technology startup is "an early-stage company that is built around a game-changing scientific discovery or technological innovation," which can be engaged in fields such as: "computer science; energy and clean technology; telecommunications; life science and medical technology; and, materials science."

According to Propel(x), these deep technology companies are particularly important because not only do their technologies advance society, but they are undervalued investment opportunities, which can result in significant financial returns.