Marketing @Wefunder | Writing @Founder Secrets

Manuel Bleve

I guess we can make it official, I'm joining beehiiv 🐝

Crazy to think this was happening 2 years ago

Week 2 at beehiiv. I already knew the product was world class. Now I can tell you the team is too. Honestly not sure how anyone would even try to compete with us

This is one of the most bittersweet things I've ever written.

I'm leaving Wefunder. And it feels so freaking weird to say it out loud.

I still remember meeting the team for the first time after writing a pretty aggressive newsletter about Startengine's ridiculous funding round.

(Always hated those guys. Even before joining Wefunder)

I was just a dude in college writing about my startup investments from a little town in southern Italy, with no formal investing education. I can steel feel the imposter syndrome kicking in even six years later.

I will be forever grateful to Wefunder for giving me the opportunity to join them despite being 10,000 km apart and having no serious track record or references.

And I will be forever grateful to Jonny for being an amazing leader. And most importantly, a real friend. I'll never forget you flying out all the way from Nashville to this little town in southern Italy just to come to my wedding (and somehow ending up hugging my wife's uncle on the dance floor)

I know you'll miss me and your "work trips" to Puglia.

There are so many other people I'd like to shout out. Too many to include here. But Jake, keep being the coolest dude at Wefunder. Justin, keep being the passionate, volatile, intense, and hands down one of the most interesting people at Wefunder. Joe, I'll miss our 30-min chats that always became 2-hour chats. Suzanna, somehow it still feels insanely weird that you're not Wefunder's president anymore!!! Haley, I'll keep watching all your comedy shows. You're a fucking legend. And it'll feel so cool to say I knew you before you got famous!! Christopher, hands down the coolest lawyer in SF. I'll miss our ping-pong matches!! 

I'll miss all of you guys so much.

I'll forever be a Wefunder and community rounds fan.

(If you're a founder reading this, go launch your community round on Wefunder!!!)

And to all the young dudes thinking about getting into startups, do yourself a favor and try to get into Wefunder. I don't think there is any other place on earth where you can just take your raw talent and make some very crazy shit happen.

Goodbye, Wefunder ❤️

P.S. As for what's next, I'll write a little more in the next few days. But just funny to think how it all started with newsletters, and it's all changing because of... well... newsletters!!

beehiiv this, beehiiv that… what if I just shut up and build something on it from scratch? Like a real media brand. In public. Documenting everything. Should I do it? 👀

Michele Collu

I’ve built a career at the intersection of law, business, and technology, using diverse experiences to solve complex problems and drive impactful outcomes. 

From scaling startups to eight- and nine-figure acquisitions to founding Sardiamo, Sardinia’s first international relocation and real estate agency, I thrive on turning ideas into scalable solutions.

My journey has taken me from corporate law at top-tier firms to leading growth in B2B SaaS and PropTech. Along the way, I’ve developed a passion for connecting people, building partnerships, and empowering businesses to grow sustainably.

Whether it’s driving market strategies, advising early-stage ventures, or building from the ground up, I always look to bring a pragmatic, cross-domain perspective that delivers results.

If you’re seeking a partner who’s equally comfortable navigating legal frameworks, scaling businesses, and fostering innovation, let’s connect.

Co-Founder

Sardiamo helps individuals & companies relocate to Sardinia and benefit from significant tax exemptions - up to 90% of the gross personal income.

Many of Europe’s favorite places to live
also have some of the lowest incomes.

Southern Europe is a good example.

OECD data shows that average salaries in countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal or Greece sit far below Northern Europe.

Yet these are precisely the places many dream of relocating to, thanks to their:
Climate.
Food. 
Overall lifestyle.

Of course, the economic reality is different.

Local income levels often reflect slower economies and fewer high-paying industries.

But in 2026, this creates an interesting dynamic:
If your work is fully remote, you can earn in one economy while living in another.

Suddenly those “dream locations” start making a lot more sense.

And when people relocate, they don’t just bring their lifestyle with them.

They bring: 
purchasing power, 
new ideas 
and cultural diversity.

That’s exactly the kind of dynamic we hope to see more of in Sardinia.

For the right profiles, the opportunity has never been clearer.

Are you one of them?

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

Sales Dir. @SimpleDocs | International Real estate and Relocation @Sardiamo (Founder) | Helped 100+ people plan investments or move to Sardinia from overseas | Former Big Law

The road to the 38th America’s Cup:
starts in Cagliari

From 21 to 24 May 2026, our city will host the first preliminary regatta leading to the main event in Naples in 2027.

It’s the first competitive event of the cycle, raced in AC40 foiling boats, with the defender and challengers facing off before the main series begins.

Teams expected include:
– Emirates Team New Zealand
– Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
– Alinghi Red Bull Racing
– Athena Racing (UK)
– Orient Express Racing (France)

So why Cagliari?

The conditions are ideal:
Stable wind patterns
Deep water close to shore
Long sailing season

For these very reasons, back in 2017 Luna Rossa chose the Gulf of Cagliari as the main training base for its team, establishing its headquarters in the port area.

Cagliari was also scheduled to host an America’s Cup World Series regatta in April 2020, which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

So in many ways, this moment has been a long time coming.

It’s a great opportunity for our city.

Will you be here?

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

“Seems like a high price for Sardinia.
Can people here even afford that?”

Yes. Someone actually said that to my Sardinian face.

Let’s set the record straight:
Italy is not cheap.
Nor is Sardinia.

Yet the idea persists, mostly among people who have not looked at real numbers in years.

Yes, your money may stretch differently.

Meaning, the same cash may give you access to:
Better produce.
Better craftsmanship.
Better real estate per sqm.

But that is not the same as cheaper.

Food is not cheap.
Wine is not cheap.
Coastal properties are not cheap.
Boat trips are definitely not cheap.

And if you are coming from the US, you now face an increasingly unfavorable exchange rate.

What looked like “Mediterranean arbitrage” five years ago is no longer that simple.

Quality here costs money.
Just like anywhere else.

The difference is not price. It is value alignment.

If you come expecting discounts, you will be disappointed.

If you come understanding the market, you will make smarter decisions.

Are you optimizing for price, or for long-term value?

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

A client contacted us this week
with a $200k budget for a coastal property.

That’s about €172k, and they expected it to cover closing fees and extras.

They wanted a 3-room beachside property between San Teodoro and Budoni.

No flexibility on budget.
Very little flexibility on the area.
+they were hoping for a mortgage to increase their budget.

Unfortunately we had to tell them:
There is no realistic path.

The numbers simply don’t work.

Three problems immediately appeared:
1. Foreign income mortgage approval is extremely difficult in Italy.
2. Finding a suitable property in that area within that budget is highly unlikely.
3. If mortgage approval is mission-critical, the whole plan becomes fragile.

They were understandably disappointed.

But our role is not to tell people what they want to hear.

Our role is to tell them what is realistically possible.

Sometimes that means saying "no".

They decided to walk away.

Of course we would have preferred a different outcome.

But doing the job correctly matters more than chasing deals or consultation fees.

Honesty or optimism, which would you prefer from an advisor?

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

A US couple signed an offer. 
And now they wish they hadn’t.

They came to us after the fact, asking whether they should proceed with the deal.

Except it was already too late.

In many U.S. transactions, early offers are non-binding.

In Italy, a “proposta irrevocabile” is already a binding preliminary agreement.

Same word.
Very different consequence.

The property was listed as C2 / C6.

To a foreign buyer, that looks like technical jargon.

It isn’t.

It means storage / garage-- i.e. not residential.

They believed only part of the property needed regularization.
In reality, the entire unit was not classified as a civil dwelling.

They signed without fully understanding what those categories meant.

Not because they were careless.
But because they assumed the system worked like the one they knew.

And that's where most cross-border mistakes happen.
On structure (and not on price).

Before signing anything abroad, ask yourself:
Are you negotiating or are you already committed?

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #realestate #workfromanywhere

“Can you tell me where to move?”

We can’t. And that’s the wrong question, anyway.

It sounds simple.

It isn’t.

Sardinia is a much bigger island than many realize.

It offers a wide range of lifestyle options:
Coast vs interior.
Seasonal vs year-round.
Community-driven vs privacy-focused.
Walkable town center vs rural isolation.
Rental yield vs lifestyle first.

Which one suits you best depends on… well, 'you'.

That’s why when most people start by asking about place, we start by asking about profile.

Your priorities.
Your time horizon.
Your liquidity needs.
Your tolerance for seasonality.
Your integration appetite.

The mistake is thinking there is a “best area.”

There isn’t.

There is only alignment.

That is why we do not choose for clients.
We help them understand what they want first.
Then the geography becomes obvious.

So the real question is:
“What kind of life am I actually building?”

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

A US defense contractor was relocating to Sardinia for work.
But it never happened.

They came to us in September with a November deadline.
By October the whole thing went sideways.

Why?
The relocation process is complicated, and they approached it without structure.

On paper, their local employer was handling the visa.

In reality, there were still many loose ends.

We helped bridge several gaps along the way, wherever possible.

But one fundamental piece needs to be in place before the consulate interview:
Suitable housing.

Not just any housing, but one that complies with visa regulations.

And getting that usually means being ready to risk some money.

Typically you need to:
1. Sell your current home
2. Rent or buy one in Italy before the visa is finalized
3. Move quickly once you get the green light

If you don't have wiggle room for steps 1 or 2, the entire plan can collapse.

And that’s exactly what happened here.

When it came time to commit, they backed out.

No international relocation.
No job.
No life change.

These things can’t be improvised.

They require: 
expert advisory, careful planning, and a willingness to take some risk.

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

Budget purchases in Sardinia’s interior are up 70%.

But before you also “run for the hills”, think twice.

Over the past 12–18 months, we’ve seen a clear uptick in inquiries for inland municipalities.

On paper, it looks obvious:
Lower entry price.
More space.
“Authentic lifestyle.”
Less competition than the coast.

But price is not the whole equation.

Cheap does not automatically mean good investment.

Many interior markets have:

– Low transaction volume
– Limited resale demand
– Less rental revenue potential

If you need to exit in 5–7 years, who is your buyer?

Coastal properties trade on global demand.
Interior properties often trade on local sentiment.

That is a very different liquidity profile.

You need to understand that before committing capital.

Because beyond liquidity, there is structural complexity.

Interior properties often come with:

– Fragmented ownership between multiple heirs
– Unresolved succession filings
– Agricultural land classifications limiting usage
– Old cadastral discrepancies
– Historic building constraints

It is not uncommon to find houses divided across cousins who have not spoken in years.

Or land parcels technically co-owned by extended family branches.

Until every signature is aligned, there is no deal.

And even when there is alignment, regularization can take time.

Zoning categories matter more inland.

Agricultural classification does not automatically allow residential conversion.

Outbuildings are not always registered.

Past renovations are not always compliant.

The entry price may be €60k or €80k.

Yet the administrative path can be far more expensive in time, energy, and legal coordination.

None of this means “don’t buy inland.”

It means:

Know your horizon.
Know your liquidity needs.
Know your tolerance for complexity.

Interior Sardinia rewards long-term commitment.

It rewards buyers who are not optimizing for quick resale,
but for lifestyle alignment and permanence.

What type of investor are you?
The coastal arbitrage seeker, or the long-term village builder.

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

How will the current Global Crisis
affect Sardinia this upcoming season?

Not necessarily in the way people expect.

First and foremost, the spike in crude oil prices will likely mean higher fares.

That will drive people to:
Book later.
Compare more.
Avoid long-haul or complex destinations.

In addition, if the situation persists, disruption of connections through high-traffic hubs in the Persian Gulf will also affect travel decisions.

As was the case during Covid, short-haul Mediterranean destinations often become more attractive, not less. 

Sardinia actually saw record tourism in the rebound years that followed. (Source: ISTAT / Regione Sardegna tourism statistics)

But is this necessarily good?

It depends how you look at it:
Tourism becomes even more concentrated.
Even more seasonal.
Even more dependent on global shocks.

In other words:
The same forces that can boost a tourist season, 
also remind us how fragile the model really is.

Drawing again from the Covid parallel, those record seasons didn't necessarily create lasting income for the local economy.

If anything, they risked convincing some operators that quick demand spikes were enough-- without deeper investment.

And there is always the other possibility:
If the situation deteriorates, tourist arrivals could also drop sharply.

Either way, the real question remains:

Are we prepared?

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

Couple of weeks ago I sat down with Karen Coyne, CFP® to talk about how our work with Sardiamo can fit folks' financial planning. 

Karen is a wonderful host and what came out was a great chat-- don't miss the full episode! Be sure to click on the links. 

If you have any questions about what was discussed, feel free to ask in the comments below. 

Hope you'll enjoy it.

Have you ever  thought about moving abroad?

You’re not alone–a record number of Americans are relocating abroad, and particularly to a handful of European countries.

But just as love at first sight may or may not lead to lasting love, deciding to make the move is far more complex than just falling in love with a city during a 2-week vacation.

Consider also:
·       The realities behind visas and elective residency
·       Most buyers need to buy property with cash
·       Cost, culture, and expectations (hint: it's not like moving states!)

If moving to Sardinia sounds amazing, this conversation is your starting point.

Catch the full episode on your favorite platform:
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDtAwU4c
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gy-wqueH
Michele Collu

Worst client story from last year:
A couple looking for a rural property.

Not unusual. We get requests like this often.

But their criteria were very specific.
– Completely secluded
– Several acres of land with olive trees
– No neighboring houses in sight
– Sea views
– Within 20–30 minutes of a town with restaurants and services
– Near Bosa (very narrow area)

And ideally in move-in condition.

In theory this sounds reasonable.
In practice it narrows the market dramatically.

Sardinia is a large island, but the inventory that fits all of those conditions at the same time is extremely limited.

Which leads to one of the most common misunderstandings:
People assume that because they’re not demanding “beachfront”, there must be endless properties available.

The reality is the opposite (especially if sea view is a must, as in this case).

In Sardinia “rural” really means rural.

Properties that fall into this category are also zoned as such and therefore have limited residential use.

They are also rarely glamorous.

And while clients will say “we don’t need it to be luxurious”, their standards are often far higher than what is normally available.

While we conveyed all the constraints and still managed to find a few off-market opportunities, there was no way to bring their expectations closer to what was realistically possible.

Instead of appreciating the effort, they became aggressive, rude and petty.

Today I would cut that situation short after the second exchange.

Back then, I tried to fix it.

What I eventually realized was simple:
There was no way to make them happy if they were not prepared to come to terms with the local reality.

It was an upsetting experience.

But it taught us something important that we apply much earlier today when evaluating new requests:
1. There can be no room for pipe dreams.
2. If expectations cannot be aligned with reality, then the project simply isn’t viable.
3. And in those cases, it’s in everyone’s best interest not to engage further.

Does this sound harsh?

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

“What percentage of my home purchase can I finance?”

I’ve been asked this five times just this week.

The answer is: probably 0.

That’s the part many foreign buyers don’t expect when looking at property in Italy.

On paper, financing looks straightforward.

In reality, it rarely is.

Especially if:
- Your income is generated outside Italy
- You income is generate outside the EU
- You don’t have a long financial track record in Italy
- The deal depends on financing being approved

At that point, the entire project becomes fragile.

Because without financing, the numbers simply don’t work.

And unlike other markets, in Italy you don’t “secure the mortgage later”.

You either structure the deal around that uncertainty from the start,
or you risk losing both time and opportunities.

This is where most plans break down.

That’s why one of our first questions is:
how much can you actually spend out of pocket?

If you enter the market assuming you can increase your budget by 50–60% later, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Our approach is simple:
Focus on what you can already afford and make the best possible decision within that range.

Would you rather we didn’t make that our priority?

#movetosardinia #investinsardinia #workfromanywhere

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The Battle

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Manuel Bleve's LinkedIn Performance

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