I don't even look at a stock unless it's profitable (according to a Big-Four CPA audit), has a market cap over $5 billion and, in most cases, has paid recurring cash dividends. That's pretty much my minimum, and I have a profit in every stock I own. But then I know smart investing.
As for startups, they're ludicrously bad bets. Foreign startups are even riskier. I'm just watching ELSE do what I figured it would do.