Advisory and investment firm focused on sustainability startups and innovation in the venture capital ecosystem. Supporting entrepreneurs by helping them to create more value and growth through a stronger operational focus.
Mental strength. One of the core elements which isn't always talked about with startups. An extension of this would be: grit, drive and passion. These traits are often spoken of simplistically. In retrospect it's easy to say "have more grit and you'll succeed", but when you're stuck in the thick of it, everything looks and … Continue reading Veggies & Mental Strength
Unfortunately, this has taken way too long to finish due to the extensive detail (thanks Ray), but here you: Principles by Ray Dalio This book is a must for anyone – founder or employee. While Ray goes to the extreme on almost all of the topics he covers, the two main ideas which I took … Continue reading A reading list which explains everything…
This morning I had a great call with a founder. Let's call him Mark. He told me about his Robot Startup which I am extremely excited about working with in the future. Autonomous Robots delivering consumer products. Massive potential. His current challenge - sales. Mark explained more about how he is building the sales team: … Continue reading How to build the wrong team.
Yesterday I had a great call with a young founder. It took about 10 minutes for me to understand his challenge and how I can help him (please prepare ahead of time), but when I did, it was quite easy. He wanted to know how to scale. The business plan was great, I loved his … Continue reading Focus on the Core
"I know exactly what my customers want” is a red-flag statement I hear from founders. Normally this is when I surprise them by slamming my hand on the table to get their undivided attention. BAMMM! “No, you actually have no idea what your customer wants”, is my reply. While this is a clear overstatement, I … Continue reading You have no idea what your customers want…
I was at a client meeting the other day. Everyone had narrow eyes and that look of intensity. There was a task force which needed to immediately be created to solve a massive problem. At one moment I took a step back and realized that all this negative energy was becoming an even bigger problem… … Continue reading Embrace the Struggle
Take a step back. Breath. Remove yourself from the situation. Just look, watch, observe and try to get an understanding of the big picture. Not that one problem or customer or strategy, but the whole thing. If it doesn’t work, then you have to go back further until everything makes sense. This is advice which … Continue reading The 36.000ft view, and why everything makes sense from up there…
A friend of mine once told me that he needed to "stay in his lane" many years ago. In the meantime I have heard that saying quite a lot. And I think it's terrible! Staying in your own lane might keep your manager happy but are you really going to grow long-term if you keep … Continue reading Get out of your lane!
"I know that I know nothing" is a famous quote by Socrates. Leonardo was of a similar viewpoint throughout his life. What does this actually mean? The more we know, the more we understand that we don't know. Let that sink in for a minute. This is a tremendously humbling feeling which I get quite … Continue reading Leonardo you fool!
Is there a link between billionaire entrepreneurs and reading? Maybe not, but they seem to think so… (and I would listen to them). I will be the first to admit that I was late to the game. As a jock in highschool I had no real interest in literature. The older I got the more … Continue reading A founders reading list.
Frog Ventures 