Motivation: Accredited / Experienced Investors gain access to high value investing, networking and startup formation opportunities.

Criteria

Exact details vary by country, but in general there are three criteria to qualify as an Accredited / Experienced Investor:

1. Income
2. Assets
3. Financial Knowledge

If you meet ANY of the three criteria, you qualify as an Accredited / Experienced Investor.

Canadian Example

In Ontario, Canada the criteria are roughly:

1. Income (CAD) - over $200,000/year (individual) or over $300,000/year (with spouse)
2. Assets (CAD) - over $5,000,000 in total assets net liabilities including primary residence or over $1,000,000 in financial assets net liabilities (excludes primary residence)
3. Financial Knowledge - CFA Level 3 or equivalent (may have changed recently)

Please take these as a rough guideline only and check with a lawyer/financial advisor for exact details as they apply to your specific circumstances. If you find more details for your specific country/region or some interesting cypto-currency exceptions, please provide in comments.

$1M Question: HOW do I get there?

1. Income - 80,000 hours has great content. Also, one awesome EA is offering Free Coaching for Software Developers in EA! Maybe other EAs will soon offer free mentoring/coaching for valuable skills too!!
2. Assets - save, invest and join EA Entrepreneurs
3. Financial Knowledge - join EA Finance and offer to create a CFA Exam Study Group

Note: please have a low-bar for commenting, especially if you have any of your own tips, offers to help, openness to connecting by LinkedIn, etc