I’m fortunate enough to be an investor in several social media and Internet start-up companies, as well as sit on the boards of several brilliant companies and organizations. Do you own a company you think would benefit from my assistance or financial input? Contact me.

I’m the lead investor in the angel round of SnapGoods. A brilliant idea on the age-old tradition of renting what you need, only when you need it, SnapGoods uses a social by location model to find people who have exactly what you need, when you need it, while allowing you to make a few bucks renting out goods you own, but rarely use. You know that expensive camera you only use on holidays? Well, someone needs it this weekend. How about trying out that new guitar before you buy it? Someone has it, and is willing to rent it to you for a few days. Backed by a guarantee of security and safety, SnapGoods lets you get what you need, and make money on what you have.

Pixability is a smart new take on small business marketing, eliminating the hassle of getting excellent corporate video. Face it – If you’re a small business, chances are, you don’t have a video editor on staff, and hiring one is, well, really expensive. Pixability solves that problem. They send you a video camera, with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to film whatever you want – Your CEO, products, your properties, you name it. You send the camera back, and Pixability makes a brilliant, professionally-edited video for you, all at a price that’s less than hiring a videographer, let alone, an editor and renting equipment! With tons of tools to make the process as painless as possible, Pixability is leading the way in small business video. I’m an early-stage investor in Pixability.

My first foray into the world of Hollywood finds me as an Executive Producer on an upcoming movie, Right Next Door. Directed by the brilliant Lisa Hamil and Nicholas Brandt, Right Next Door tells the story of a babysitter and… Well, I don’t want to give it away just yet. But suffice it to say, I’m so, so proud to be involved with this amazing movie! Shooting wrapped in early May, and now it’s off to the editing room for several months. If I’ve learned one thing about Hollywood (other than no one there actually wants you to “have a nice day,”) it’s that making a movie requires an amazing amount of time where you’re just… Standing around. So excited to see the finished product – Amazing directors, amazing cast, and amazing crew will indeed equal an amazing movie. If you want to be notified of the premiere, join my shankman.com mailing list here!

As I say all the time, I live on the road. I’m on an airplane in a different city or country about 300 days out of the year, and that means having the best products to carry my stuff. Thing is, I hate luggage. That’s why I’m proud to be on the advisory board of the SCOTTEVEST for years running! The SCOTTEVEST is the most functional, practical, lightweight, and pocket-filled line of essential travel clothing ever invented. I even spent four days in Asia with nothing but my jacket! No baggage equals better flying, less stress, and more time to explore. And who doesn’t want that?

Last but certainly not least, I’m honored to sit on the Civilian Advisory Board of NASA. I was appointed to this position in 2010 by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and it’s been quite the adventure, no pun intended! From witnessing a shuttle launch, to sitting with some of the brightest minds in space exploration and working out ways to better communicate to the world what NASA does every day, it’s a humbling honor to be on this board.  To be surrounded by people who go into space the same way I go to the corner deli is very, very surreal, and incredibly humbling. We’re doing some pretty amazing stuff on the board, so be sure to check back on occasion for updates. I shot the video below of the launch of STS131 in April of 2010, on a beautiful crystal clear morning from the roof of Mission Control at the Kennedy Space Center.