7investing Review: Is Simon Erickson's Innovation Service Worth $199?

Quick Verdict

7investing is worth considering for innovation-focused investors who value direct analyst access over volume—but the lack of public performance data means you’re betting on Simon Erickson’s credentials rather than verified returns.

At $199/year, you get 12 stock picks annually (1 per month), deep research reports, video deep dives, and something the big services can’t match: direct Discord access to the founder who picks every stock. Simon Erickson spent 7 years at Motley Fool, led their Explorer service, and managed over $1 million in real-money investments. That’s legitimate.

The catch? 7investing doesn’t publicly disclose their track record. You won’t find “beat the market by X%” on their homepage. And in 2025, the service transitioned from seven advisors to just Simon—a significant structural change. For some investors, the intimacy of a founder-led service is the appeal. For others, the lack of transparency is a dealbreaker.

Rating: 3.9/5 — Strong for the right investor, but transparency gaps prevent a higher score.

The Track Record Question

Here’s where 7investing diverges from competitors: they don’t market their performance.

Stock Advisor review prominently displays their 782% return since 2002. Alpha Picks review shows their 112% return since 2022. 7investing? You’ll need to subscribe to see the numbers.

This isn’t necessarily a red flag. There are legitimate reasons a service might avoid aggressive performance marketing:

• Conservative approach: Avoiding cherry-picked timeframes or misleading claims
• Newer service: Founded in 2020, so less track record than 20-year veterans
• Regulatory caution: Performance advertising has strict compliance requirements
• Member-focused: Preferring to let results speak within the community

But it does mean you’re making a different kind of bet. Instead of “this service returned X%,” you’re betting on:

1. Simon Erickson’s credentials — 7 years at Motley Fool, led Explorer, managed $1M+ real money
2. His methodology — Innovation-focused, long-term, thesis-driven investing
3. The 7-day free trial — You can see the scorecard before committing

That free trial is crucial. Use it. Request performance data. See if the numbers match your expectations before the trial ends.

Important: Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, but it does provide context. Without public performance data, you’re relying more heavily on the analyst’s credentials and methodology.

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What You Actually Get

Monthly Stock Pick

One high-conviction recommendation per month. That’s 12 picks annually—half what Stock Advisor delivers. But 7investing argues quality over quantity: deeper research on fewer companies.

Each pick includes:

• Research report with company overview, strategic analysis, leadership assessment, and key risks
• Video deep dive where Simon walks through his investment thesis
• Risk level classification so you understand the volatility profile

The Discord Advantage

This is 7investing’s differentiator. You get direct access to Simon Erickson in a private Discord community.

At Stock Advisor, you’re one of millions of subscribers. The analysts don’t know you exist. At 7investing, you can ask Simon questions directly. You can challenge his thesis. You can understand his thinking in real-time.

For some investors, this is invaluable. For others, it’s irrelevant—they just want the picks. Know which type you are before subscribing.

Ongoing Coverage

• Company updates covering earnings reactions, leadership changes, and significant developments
• Full portfolio access including all historical picks and performance tracking
• Recommendations Scorecard showing each pick vs. S&P 500 benchmark

What’s NOT Included

7investing is transparent about limitations:

• No sell signals — You decide when to exit based on your own thesis
• No price targets — They don’t assign specific target prices
• No portfolio allocation advice — No guidance on position sizing
• No personalized recommendations — Same picks for everyone

This isn’t a managed portfolio. It’s research and ideas. You’re the one making the final decisions.

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Simon Erickson: The One-Man Show

7investing’s value proposition now rests entirely on one person: Simon Erickson.

The credentials are real:

• 7 years at Motley Fool
• Lead Advisor of Motley Fool Explorer
• Managed over $1 million in real-money investments
• Led a team of 22 analysts
• B.S. Chemical Engineering (UT Austin), MBA Entrepreneurship (Rice University)
• Media appearances on CNN, CNBC, and major financial publications
• Early identifier of trends: CRISPR (2014), deep learning (2015), VR, autonomous vehicles

The focus areas:

• Disruptive innovation
• Personalized medicine
• Machine learning and AI
• Emerging technologies (quantum computing, space, biotech)

The transition:

Originally, 7investing featured seven lead advisors—hence the name. As of 2025, it’s now a solo operation. Former advisors like Anirban Mahanti, Dana Abramovitz, Krzysztof Piekarski, and Luke Hallard are no longer actively involved.

This is both a strength and a risk. Strength: you know exactly whose judgment you’re paying for. Risk: if Simon’s style doesn’t match yours, there’s no alternative voice within the service.

The Investment Philosophy

7investing operates on seven core principles. Here’s what they mean in practice:

1. It’s Personal They explicitly state they can’t know your financial situation. This is research, not advice. You remain in control.

2. Buy Companies, Not Tickers Focus on business quality and leadership, not chart patterns or momentum.

3. Don’t Stress Yourself Out Only invest money you won’t need for 3+ years. No margin. No casino mentality.

4. Time is on Your Side Long-term holding (5+ years) is the expectation. Not for traders.

5. Valuation Matters Even great companies can be overpriced. They’re not pure momentum investors.

6. Find One-of-a-Kind Companies Focus on competitive moats and sustainable advantages.

7. Develop a Thesis Know why you own what you own. Write it down. Let it guide you through volatility.

This is classic long-term growth investing with an innovation tilt. If you’re looking for short-term trades or income-focused picks, look elsewhere.

Pricing & Value

The math:

• $199/year = $16.58/month
• 12 picks annually = ~$16.58 per pick
• Compare: Stock Advisor is $199/year for 24 picks (~$8.29 per pick)

The value question:

At the same price as Stock Advisor but half the picks, 7investing needs to deliver something different. Their argument: deeper research, direct analyst access, and innovation focus justify the premium per pick.

Whether that’s true depends on what you value. If you want volume and a proven track record, Stock Advisor wins. If you want intimacy and innovation focus, 7investing has a case.

The trial advantage:

Unlike Stock Advisor’s 30-day money-back guarantee, 7investing offers a 7-day free trial with no charge. You can see everything—including the performance scorecard—before paying anything. Use this wisely.

Try 7investing Free for 7 Days

The Trade-Offs

What Works

• Direct analyst access — Discord community with Simon Erickson is genuinely differentiated
• Innovation focus — Clear thesis around disruptive technologies and emerging trends
• No upsells — Single tier, all features included, no premium tiers to unlock
• Transparent limitations — Explicitly states what they don’t provide
• Free trial — 7 days to evaluate before paying
• Founder credibility — Simon’s Motley Fool background is verifiable and legitimate

What Doesn’t

• No public track record — You can’t verify performance before subscribing
• Solo analyst risk — Service depends entirely on one person
• Recent transition — Shift from 7 advisors to 1 creates uncertainty
• Half the picks — 1/month vs. 2/month at competitors for the same price
• No sell signals — You’re on your own for exit decisions
• Limited refund clarity — No explicit money-back guarantee beyond trial

Who Should Subscribe

7investing is for you if:

• You’re fascinated by disruptive innovation (AI, biotech, quantum, space)
• You want direct access to the analyst picking your stocks
• You prefer depth over volume—12 deep-dive picks vs. 24 surface-level ones
• You’re comfortable holding for 5+ years through significant volatility
• You’ll actively engage with Discord, videos, and community discussions
• You’re willing to evaluate performance during the free trial rather than relying on marketing claims

7investing is NOT for you if:

• You need verified track record data before subscribing
• You want high-frequency picks (2+ per month)
• You prefer passive consumption—just get the picks, skip the videos
• You need sell signals or price targets
• You’re uncomfortable with a solo analyst model
• You want the safety of a larger, more established operation

If 7investing isn’t right for you:

• For proven track record: Stock Advisor review — 782% since 2002, 2 picks/month, $199/year
• For quantitative approach: Alpha Picks review — Algorithm-driven, 112% since 2022
• For research tools over picks: Morningstar Investor review — Fair value estimates and analyst reports

Best Alternatives

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

The obvious comparison. Same $199/year price, but:

• 2 picks per month (vs. 1)
• 20+ year track record (782% vs. S&P 500’s 167%)
• Larger team of analysts
• More established operation

Choose Stock Advisor if: You want proven returns and higher pick volume.

Choose 7investing if: You want innovation focus and direct analyst access.

See our Stock Advisor review for more details.

Try Stock Advisor — 30-Day Guarantee

Alpha Picks (Seeking Alpha)

Different approach entirely:

• Quantitative model, not human analyst
• 2 picks per month
• $399/year (higher price)
• 112% return since 2022 launch

Choose Alpha Picks if: You trust algorithms over human judgment.

Choose 7investing if: You want a human analyst you can interact with directly.

See our Alpha Picks review for the full breakdown.

Explore Alpha Picks

Morningstar Investor

Not a stock picking service—a research platform:

• $249/year
• Fair value estimates on thousands of stocks
• Analyst reports and ratings
• You make all the decisions

Choose Morningstar if: You want tools to find your own picks.

Choose 7investing if: You want someone else to do the heavy research.

Learn more in our Morningstar Investor review.

Explore Morningstar Investor

Final Verdict

7investing is a legitimate service with a credible founder and a clear value proposition: deep innovation research with direct analyst access. Simon Erickson’s Motley Fool background is real, the methodology is sound, and the $199/year price is competitive.

But the lack of public performance data is a significant gap. In a market where competitors proudly display their returns, 7investing asks you to trust credentials over numbers. The 2025 transition from seven advisors to one adds uncertainty about the service’s direction.

My recommendation: Use the 7-day free trial strategically. Get inside the member portal, review the performance scorecard, ask Simon questions in Discord, and evaluate whether the track record justifies the trust they’re asking for. If the numbers are strong and the community engagement resonates, 7investing could be exactly what you’re looking for. If not, you’ve lost nothing but a week of your time.

For innovation-focused investors who value direct analyst relationships over volume, 7investing offers something the big services can’t match. Just go in with eyes open about what you’re getting—and what you’re not.

If 7investing doesn’t fit your needs, explore all your options in our guide to the best stock advisors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 7investing worth the money?

For the right investor, yes. At $199/year, you get 12 innovation-focused stock picks, deep research reports, video analysis, and direct Discord access to founder Simon Erickson. The value depends on whether you prioritize analyst access and innovation focus over pick volume and publicly verified track records. The 7-day free trial lets you evaluate before committing.

What are the best alternatives to 7investing?

Stock Advisor review is the most direct alternative—same $199/year price, but 24 picks annually and a 20+ year track record. Alpha Picks review offers a quantitative approach at $449/year. Morningstar Investor review provides research tools rather than picks at $249/year.

7investing vs Stock Advisor: Which is better?

Stock Advisor wins on track record and volume (782% returns, 2 picks/month). 7investing wins on analyst access and innovation focus (direct Discord with Simon Erickson, deeper research on fewer picks). Choose Stock Advisor for proven returns; choose 7investing for intimate, founder-led research on disruptive companies.

How do I cancel 7investing?

Cancel anytime through the member portal or by contacting support. The 7-day free trial allows cancellation with no charge. After the trial, subscriptions are annual and auto-renew at $199/year. Note that 7investing doesn’t prominently disclose a money-back guarantee beyond the free trial period.

Does 7investing have a track record?

Yes, but it’s not publicly disclosed. Unlike competitors who display performance on their homepage, 7investing keeps track record data in the member portal. You can access the Recommendations Scorecard showing each pick vs. S&P 500 during the free trial. This lack of public performance data is a key consideration before subscribing.

Who is Simon Erickson?

Simon Erickson is the founder, CEO, and sole analyst at 7investing. He spent 7 years at Motley Fool, where he was Lead Advisor of Motley Fool Explorer and managed over $1 million in real-money investments. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UT Austin and an MBA from Rice University. His focus areas include disruptive innovation, personalized medicine, and AI/machine learning.