You are probably just investing in the wrong coins. Look at Creditcoin for example, invested in by Coinbase and Y combinator. Its been pumping non stop since January as the team continues to hit milestones and release new updates.
Because he failed, he wants more experience. You listed a specific coin, I think that didn't help him much. The problem is, he should still have a thorough understanding of the market and details about the development of the coin that he chooses, above all to be lucky.