JULY 2, 2025
Lessons From the Past
For a long time, I avoided moonshot stocks. My early investing years included some painful lessons—like buying Boston Chicken and chasing Dell after its big run, only to watch it fall (and, in classic fashion, selling before it rose again). The dot-com bubble taught me the dangers of hype and the importance of discipline. Since then, I’ve focused on diversified, fundamentals-based investing.
Why I’m Dipping My Toe Back In
This year, I decided to cautiously revisit the “moonshot” approach—not to get rich quick, but as a learning experiment and a way to stay engaged with innovation. My goal: take small, controlled risks, document the process, and share what I learn along the way.
How It Started: My CRNX Position
My renewed interest in speculative stocks began with Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (CRNX). A friend was hired by the company, which piqued my curiosity. After digging into CRNX’s pipeline and financials, I saw real potential—though it remains a high-risk play. My first step back into this world was a modest allocation, sized for learning and risk tolerance.
My Process: Combining Human and AI Insights
- Personal connections spark ideas: CRNX was my first pick, chosen through my own research plus a real-world connection.
- Seeking an edge with AI: I then asked ChatGPT to recommend several speculative biotech and tech names—my initial “moonshots.”
- Cross-checking with Perplexity: I took those ideas and had Perplexity (another AI) narrow them down; both AIs overlapped in their top choices, which boosted my conviction.
- Disciplined entry points: Perplexity helped map out ideal buy ranges, so I set limits and refused to chase moves higher.
What I Did Today
- Trimmed a core ETF for cash in my Solo 401k Roth to enable new moonshot buys.
- Initiated a position in VKTX (entered on a patient, pre-set limit order instead of chasing).
- Held off on RNA and SLDP since both were above my price targets—patience over FOMO.
- Documented everything here as part of my transparency and accountability experiment.
My Plan Going Forward
- Scale in, don’t chase: I’ll buy initial “half-positions” in RNA and SLDP if they hit my limits, adding more only if prices drop further.
- No FOMO: Missing a breakout is fine; I won’t chase rallying stocks.
- Revisit on catalysts: For CRNX, I’ll consider more if it drops near key support ahead of September’s FDA decision and after any major news.
- Risk first: Each moonshot is a small percentage of my sleeve. Big losses are instructive, not portfolio-breaking.
Why Share This?
This experiment is about more than returns—it’s about learning, discipline, and sharing the process openly. If you’ve ever been burned by hype or regretted selling too soon, you’re not alone. By showing both wins and losses, I hope to help others—and myself—become more thoughtful investors.
Have you tried using AI for stock picks? What lessons have you learned from speculative investing? I’d love to hear your stories—let’s learn together.
Current Lottery Ticket Portfolio
For transparency, here’s my current moonshot portfolio. I’ll update this table as I make new buys or as prices move, so you can follow along with my real results—gains and losses included. Position sizes are small, focusing on percentage allocations and risk management rather than absolute amounts.
| Ticker | Company Name | Allocation (%) | Cost Basis | Current Price | Unrealized P/L (%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRNX | Crinetics Pharmaceuticals | ~24% | $31.78 | ~$29 | -8.7% | First pick, speculative; bought after friend joined |
| VKTX | Viking Therapeutics | ~12% | $27.73 | ~$27.70 | –0.1% | Bought on patient, staged entry |
| RNA | Avidity Biosciences | 0% | — | — | — | Waiting for price target |
| SLDP | Solid Power | 0% | — | — | — | Waiting for price target |
*Unrealized P/L (%) = (Current Price – Cost Basis) ÷ Cost Basis*
WealthPilot
AI stock picking, biotech stocks, CRNX, lottery ticket stocks, personal finance, RNA, SLDP, speculative investing, transparent portfolio, VKTX, moonshot