Before you start investing, you need to understand the lay of the land—who the players are, what role each one plays, and how the whole ecosystem works.
Having worked with private clients, I've often seen how a lack of understanding can lead to costly mistakes. People usually hesitate to ask questions about what they don't understand because they don't want to look stupid or are just driven by their egos.
Have you ever encountered someone who sits at a meeting, nods, and agrees to everything, only to find out later that this person had no clue what it was all about? Don't be that guy!
So think of this as your investment world orientation. If you're a capital founder—or plan to become one—understanding this map of characters will help you avoid pitfalls, navigate complexity, and spot opportunities others might miss.
This is a bird's-eye view of the financial markets ecosystem. We'll cover who the players are, how they make money, what drives them, and where potential conflicts of interest may lie.
Imagine you want to swim in the ocean. You should know who is a dolphin and who is a shark.
Let's dive in.
