Colect’s Post

Last week, I gave a 90-minute address to the current session of the EIT Digital Venture Incubation Program. https://lnkd.in/e8cbZiar It’s open to 24 countries in Europe and co-funded by the European Union. The program provides International Growth Support for European Entrepreneurs, including (“…business development help from top international experts.” (I’m blushing…)  My talk was titled, “Selling Your Innovation (Great Technology is Not Enough.)” I was pretty blunt with them – an example slide from my talk is below. It’s really interesting to work with entrepreneurs from other parts of the world.  Coming out of the talk, I’ve just accepted mentoring assignments with two of the companies in the program: one is headquartered in Turkey and the other is headquartered in Portugal. Both have excellent technologies and big ideas. My job will be to help them address market-based questions, put together pitch decks and find some revenue. Very cool. #entrepreneurs #innovation #technology #keynotespeakers

Honored to have served as a Judge at the INSL IEEE Innovation Nation Sri Lanka 2023 Competition National Level Semi Finals! 🇱🇰 As an entrepreneur with a passion for fostering innovation, it was truly inspiring to witness the incredible talent and groundbreaking ideas presented by brilliant minds from state universities across Sri Lanka. Being an entrepreneur is not just about starting a business. It is about identifying opportunities, solving problems, and creating value. To the participants, I encourage you to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset as you navigate the path of innovation. Your ideas have the power to shape the future and make a lasting impact. Remember, the journey of entrepreneurship is filled with challenges, but each challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Your resilience, creativity, and determination showcased in this competition are commendable. Use this experience as a stepping stone towards transforming your dreams into reality. As you continue your academic journey, let your entrepreneurial spirit be the driving force behind your endeavors. Whether you pursue business ventures or contribute innovative solutions within existing organizations, know that your unique perspectives and ideas are invaluable. Congratulations to all participants for your exceptional contributions! Your dedication to innovation is a testament to the bright future that lies ahead for Sri Lanka. Keep dreaming, keep innovating, and together, let's build a future that is driven by creativity and positive change. #INSLIEEEInnovationNation #SriLankaInnovation #EntrepreneurialMindset #FutureLeadership  

😅 We survived the first week of September, but we're already looking forward to the November and December editions of the Business Bites! 📅 Tuesday, November 26 This Business Bites XL (co-hosted by Voka Oost-Vlaanderen) focuses on Ghent-based companies with growth ambitions. We'll discuss their trajectory and financing strategies to provide valuable insights for entrepreneurs. On the stage: Henchman, part of LexisNexis, Victor Mortreu (Just Russel), Stéphane Ronse (Foodbag), Michiel Weemaes (Weemaes Glas Oudenaarde), and Iris Detavernier (VLAIO - Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship). More details here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWR8jBCu 📅 Tuesday, December 10 Hosted by us, Invest in Ghent, this session promises to be a game-changer with top-notch speakers. Titled 'Tame the Shark Tank: Practical tips to convince investors', it will allow you to gear up for the ultimate pitch. Entrepreneurs will share their successes and failures, investors will provide insights into their decision-making process, and coaches will give you tips to perfect your pitch. Matthias Geeroms, from Lighthouse, will be speaking and more speakers will be announced soon! You can find more details here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eH4GQXv3 Ready to be part of our thriving #TechCapital? Don't miss out on these bite-sized inspiration sessions followed by networking possibilities! Ondernemen in Gent #biotech #healthtech #cleantech #digitaltech

This year's Forbes Europe 30 Under 30 list features 12 Sigma Squared Fellows! 🚀 Our Fellows excelled in various fields including Technology, Social Impact, Finance, Media & Marketing, and Healthcare & Science! Lucy Lyons is transforming the landscape of energy surveys. As the co-founder and CEO of Kestrix, she is leading the charge with her innovative approach, earning Kestrix the nickname 'Google Maps of heat loss' in the field of Technology. Weronika Czaplewska and Mateusz Masiak, co-founders of Envirly, are champions of sustainability, empowering companies to manage their environmental impact. Their platform offers comprehensive solutions to reduce carbon footprints and drive positive change. Daniel W. Dippold, founder of EWOR, is revolutionising support for early-stage startups across Europe. EWOR is recognised as a key player in the startup ecosystem, providing vital support to facilitate growth and success in a competitive market. Julius Gabel Nørgaard and Carl Kronika, co-founders of COPUS, are reshaping the landscape of Media & Marketing from Copenhagen. Their innovative approaches to branding and communication are setting new standards in the industry. Emilė R., co-founder of Samphire Neuroscience, focuses on women's health, addressing critical gaps in research and treatment. Samphire Neuroscience's groundbreaking work is paving the way for improved healthcare outcomes and gender equity in medical research. Frans Lehmusvaara, co-founder of Veri, combines glucose monitoring with health recommendations, revolutionising personalised healthcare. Veri's innovative platform empowers individuals to take control of their health, offering tailored insights and recommendations for improved well-being. Dhruv Agrawal, as a co-founder of Aether Biomedical, is at the forefront of introducing Zeus, a bionic hand and digital therapy platform. Their groundbreaking work is transforming the lives of amputees, providing advanced prosthetic solutions and innovative therapy options that herald a new era in rehabilitation and mobility. Maxime Paradis, founder of Paradise Club | Next-Gen Investment Club, is reshaping the tech startup landscape with its strategic investments and support. Through his leadership, Maxime identifies and backs impactful startups, driving innovation and progress in the tech industry. Patrice B., co-founder of Throne, created a gifting platform that has allowed 17 million social media users to fulfil wishlists for 500,000 of their favourite content creators on YouTube, TikTok, X, Instagram and Twitch. Lastly, Seb Haugeto, founder of Dealflow - Invoicing, provides an AI-powered financial 'co-pilot' for startups. Seb's innovative platform offers invaluable support and guidance, empowering startups to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape with confidence. Massive congratulations to all these outstanding individuals for their well-deserved recognition! 🚀 Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-XU76tv

Have you supported our campaign for a European Parliament Intergroup on Inclusive Entrepreneurship yet? The Migrant Accelerator gave us some great reasons for signing up. Innovation comes from the diversity of thought. More people from different backgrounds in entrepreneurship means more ideas, more perspectives and more opportunities to innovate. According to research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), companies with above-average diversity produced a greater proportion of revenue from innovation (45% of total) than from companies with below-average diversity (26%). Let's take this chance to form an intergroup on inclusive entrepreneurship and boost the innovation we need to navigate the green and digital transitions. Show your support and join the alliance: https://lnkd.in/eG4XxD8v #AEuropeanAgendaForInclusiveEntrepreneurship #InclusiveEntrepreneurship #EntrepreneurshipForAll #InclusiveEntrepreneurshipIntergroup

𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 Visit our website and read our hourly news briefs to keep up with the latest news from the continent. #ChangeNow2024 #GlobalInnovation #SocialInnovation #SustainableFuture #ParisEvents #InnovationSummit #Activism #Entrepreneurship #EnvironmentalSolutions

Celebrating World MSME Day! Today, we honor the incredible impact of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) around the world. These businesses are the backbone of our global economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable growth. 💡Did you know? MSMEs make up over 90% of all businesses worldwide and contribute significantly to economic development and social progress. On this special day, let’s recognize the resilience, creativity, and determination of MSMEs. Their contributions are vital in building inclusive and resilient societies. Support local businesses. Encourage sustainable practices. Celebrate entrepreneurial spirit. #WorldMSMEDay #SupportSmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #MSMEs #EconomicGrowth #Innovation #Sustainability  ~Team XSEED🌱💚

Happy to share on the first day of the New Year of Dragon, I have my no. 30 Ivey business case published: Zhongke Xinke: How Does the Foreseeing Unicorns Project Create Shared Value? About This Case Zhongke Xinke (Beijing) Technology Co. Ltd. (Zhongke Xinke), founded in November 2016, enjoyed a high reputation in China’s makerspace industry. Miao Jinsheng, the founder of Zhongke Xinke, sensed the changing environment and the development challenges of the enterprise and created the Foreseeing Unicorns Project. Jointly launched with the Jiangxi provincial government, the project supported the success of entrepreneurs and helped Jiangxi Province to discover and cultivate unicorn enterprises, creating shared value economically and socially. However, its commitment and close ties with the local government limited Zhongke Xinke’s future growth to a certain extent. How could the project grow by balancing its commitment to Jiangxi Province with its need to grow outside the province (national)? Learning Objectives This case focused on Zhongke Xinke’s Foreseeing Unicorns Project to help students understand the motivations, attributes, strategies, paths, and hidden dangers of creating shared value. After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to do the following: Understand the motivations of entrepreneurs who intend to set up organizations with dual objectives which are paradoxical (i.e., economic and social). Understand the challenges that firms face when pursuing the dual and paradoxical objectives of economic and social value creation. Develop strategies for firms with the objectives of creating economic and social values simultaneously. Develop strategies to balance regional development with national development by creating shared value through entrepreneurial operations. https://lnkd.in/g6ana-dS

We are so happy that we became one❗️ With the Social Entrepreneurship Observatory, we are gaining a #Research and #Data Center that monitors the development of the #SocialEconomy and provides #evidence_based_recommendations for improvement of the sector. Also, we are gaining a new region of activity within the Western Balkans to support #SocialEconomyOrganisations in reaching their potential. This collaboration is crucial to scaling our impact in other #European_regions and for SENIC - Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center to scale its work as a #Data_Driven_Consultancy. KUDOS❗️ #partnership #collaboration #SEO #SENIC #DataDrivenConsultancy #ForTheCommonGood #socialmission #commercialmission #balance #socialentrepreneurship #socialeconomy #sustainableentrepreneurship #greenentrepreneurship #SDGs

Only a month to go until the biggest unicorn-raising event of the year, European Innovation Academy, starts again at Porto! The application is still open to take part coolest event to transform your idea into a real business in just 15 days. Use the code 'EIAMENTOR' to get 300€ off from the tuition fee! (link in the comments). #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Education