- The <a href="http://www.megamillions.com/" target="_blank">Mega Millions</a> jackpot is at an estimated $640 million, reportedly the largest lottery jackpot in world history. When the six numbers are drawn tonight, there may be one lucky ticket holder that becomes half a billion dollars richer. Why not plan ahead? Before the Mega Millions drawing takes place tonight at 11pm EST, here are 7 investment ideas to consider if you strike it rich. –<em><strong>Ashley Calloway</strong></em>
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- <strong>$640 million</strong>…<br><br> Could fund the entire angel rounds for 577 tech startups. In 2011, <a href="http://www.svb.com/halo-report-2011-infographic/">the average angel round</a>—which secures capital for a startup, usually from individuals investing their own money—was $1.11 million.
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- <strong>$640 million…</strong> <br><br> Could provide the startup costs for 20,779 franchises. The total cost for opening a franchise on the <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500/index.html">top 10 list</a> ranges from $30,800 to a little more than $13 million.
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- <strong>$640 million…</strong><br><br> Could buy <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2012/03/29/espn-sports-business-editor-analyzes-impact-of-magic-johnsons-dodgers-deal/" target="_blank">an entire sports team</a>—with a couple of hundred million dollars to spare. Celebrities <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1157325/1/20/index.htm">such as Jay-Z and Usher</a> are part of investment groups that bought the New Jersey Nets ($300 million) and the Cleveland Cavaliers ($375 million), respectively. However, with this jackpot, you can <em>be</em> the investment group.
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- <strong>$640 million…</strong><br><br> Could launch 21,333 small businesses. Though the numbers vary by industry and business model, on average it costs <a href="http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/community-blogs/small-business-cents/how-estimate-cost-starting-business-scratch">a little more than $30,000</a> to start a new business from square one.
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- <strong>$640 million…</strong><br><br> Could send 5,395 people to college. The average price for tuition, fees, and room and board at a four-year, out-of-state college <a href="http://press.collegeboard.org/releases/2011/new-college-board-trends-reports-price-college-continues-rise-nationally-dramatic-difference">climbed to $29,657</a>; that’s $118,628 for all four years.
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- <strong>$640 million…</strong><br><br> Could give 6,400 fashion designers funding to start a clothing line. Otherwise, they can take it to the <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/about">reality TV runway</a> to battle it out for $100,000 to start their line.
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