This is a dangerous business model on several levels:<p>a. It cheapens the idea of social influence, by participating in it you become a compromised voice.<p>b. If one of the companies you are shilling for should meet with some moderate level of success in fundraising you could find yourself on the hook for a tax liability on an illiquid asset. (The woo-hoo, I won $millions in the dotcom lottery; shit, the IRS says I owe $thousands on money I won't see for three years syndrome.)