The Villars Institute’s Post

⚫️ FOUNDER TIPS - Aarhus Townhall Edition A new series, where we'll bring tips to founders - from founders and investors. First up: 3 crisp networking tips from Christian Vinther, Investment Director at Founderment: ▶︎ Talk to people you don’t know (you never know, who you'll meet). ▶︎ Ask for help - It's okay to share an issue you're battling, to get feedback on how to solve it. ▶︎ Pay it forward - Think about how you can help the person you talk to, not only what you can gain. And as a bonus, Christian highlights the importance of networking with investors in informal settings - also (maybe even especially) before you start fundraising. Test out his tips at the upcoming Aarhus Townhall ▶︎ October 12th from 17.00-21.00. Grab a ticket now: https://lnkd.in/e3Jf4Tpi Got any #networking tips to share yourself? ↓

The AlphaVerse1 Business Model: Philanthropic Entrepreneurship as the Future for Small Businesses and Brands In today's rapidly changing landscape, businesses are seeking innovative models to ensure not just profitability, but also social impact. Enter the AlphaVerse1 Business Model, a pioneering approach to philanthropic entrepreneurship that's carving a new path for small businesses and brands. This model intertwines social change, environmental stewardship, and economic responsibility, offering a holistic solution for businesses aiming to be future-ready.

Join us for an hour of connecting, learning, and inspiration on August 7, 2024, as NAWBO Sacramento proudly presents our monthly Virtual Lunch & Learn. Come get connected with other NAWBO members virtually, introduce yourself and your business, and learn important strategies and tips for your personal, professional, and business growth. In this session, you'll learn about SMUD's dedication to inclusive economic development and the resources and programs they offer to support small businesses. Our speaker for this event will be Suzanne Dizon, who leads SMUD’s Economic Development and Partnerships Team, supporting a local economy and SMUD's Clean Energy Vision for an inclusive, zero-carbon future. Suzanne oversees the development and resource-building of key business partner relationships, including Chambers of Commerce, Property and Business Improvement Districts, providing SMUD a platform to promote programs and services in partnership with our colleagues on business district electrification, small business development resources, and workforce development opportunities as part of our Community Impact Plan. This work also supports innovation and entrepreneurship by partnering with small business incubators and makerspace programs. In addition, the team fosters inclusive outreach and access for local, small vendors to participate in SMUD contracting incentives through the award-winning SEED program. This event is free, so share it with other women entrepreneurs who might be interested! Registration is required to attend, so click the link below to register. https://lnkd.in/gGec787G #NAWBO #NAWBOSacramento #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusinessSupport #BusinessGrowth #InclusiveEconomy #BusinessTips #WomenEntrepreneurs #SMUD #Sustainability #Innovation #BusinessResources

Lessons in Business and Philanthropy: The Carlos Slim Helú Story 🌐 As professionals in the ever-evolving world of business, we often seek inspiration from leaders who have not only achieved success but also have a significant impact. Today, I want to highlight the journey of Carlos Slim Helú, a name synonymous with entrepreneurial brilliance and philanthropic commitment. 🚀 Born in Mexico City to Lebanese immigrants, Carlos Slim's business acumen was nurtured from a young age. A civil engineering graduate from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, he went beyond his academic discipline, venturing into the world of business and investments. His philosophy? Simple yet profound - identify undervalued assets, invest wisely, and believe in long-term growth. 🏢 Slim's journey from a young investor to becoming one of the world's richest men is a testament to his strategic thinking and resilience. His conglomerate, Grupo Carso, spans telecommunications, retail, construction, and more, reflecting a diversified portfolio strategy. 🌟 Beyond his business prowess, Carlos Slim is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He firmly believes in using his wealth to address systemic challenges, such as education, health, and digital inclusion. The Carlos Slim Foundation is a beacon of hope for many, embodying the ethos that with great wealth comes great responsibility. 💡 What inspires me most about Carlos Slim Helú is his commitment to both business growth and social progress. His life reminds us that true success encompasses not just financial achievements but also the positive impact we have on society. 🔍 As we navigate our careers, let's take a moment to reflect on these lessons from Carlos Slim Helú's journey. Let's strive for excellence in our professional endeavors while remembering the importance of contributing to the greater good. #CarlosSlimHelu #BusinessLeadership #Philanthropy #Entrepreneurship #Inspiration

Introducing our new video about the Wallenberg Ecosystem! For almost 170 years the Wallenberg family has actively worked on a long-term basis to support enterprise and research in Sweden, and internationally. What is commonly referred to as the Wallenberg sphere includes 16 non-profit foundations, the industrial holding company Investor AB and the private holding companies Wallenberg Investments AB and FAM AB, including Navigare Ventures AB and their respective holdings. Together the foundations and the companies, that the family are engaged in, form an ecosystem that enables strong support for Sweden. The family’s long-term work with these international corporations, and the successes of each company, enable the foundations to distribute approximately SEK 2.8 billion annually and around 44 billion since the founding in 1917 to basic research and education in Sweden. Today the family’s engagements are led by members of the fifth generation with a growing commitment from the sixth.   Watch the video in English: https://lnkd.in/damaQPbZ Watch the video in Swedish: https://lnkd.in/dgK33rQd #TheWallenbergEcosystem #Wallenberg #Research #Business #Education #Innovation #Sweden 

Accelerator programs help founders advance their ambitions, positively impacting communities and the economy overall. As an organization that has long supported the entrepreneurial ecosystem, we created the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) to align Black and Hispanic/Latino CEOs and founders to capital, customers and other connections. Curious about the impact? This Axios Latino article explores the stories of two EAN cohort members. https://lnkd.in/exuEG-kC #betterworkingworld #entrepreneurship

It was a pleasure to host Michael Sheldrick yesterday for a discussion on #policyentrepreneurship. Yes, we need business action to demonstrate what is possible and to manage organisational risks and impacts, we need innovation to develop solutions where they don’t yet exist, we need research and education to build understanding, and we need markets to deliver action at scale – but without enabling policy we won’t get the necessary speed of systemic change. Michael’s book brilliantly provides wealth of practical insights and case studies for achieving effective policy action. Themes we explored in discussion: 👉 Connections and narratives matter. Successful campaigns work through leveraging connections and using stories that are engaging to relevant stakeholders. 👉 Be clear on the end game. Broad calls that ‘something must be done’ can be useful in raising awareness, but more specificity is needed to get policy action. And don't get distracted by focusing more on winning arguments than on achieving the outcome. Be pragmatic about who you may need to work with to achieve the outcome you are seeking. 👉 There is an important role for philanthropy to support work that will achieve policy outcomes that are good for societies. 

Help with recruitment and professional development also featured as a key form of support, which both investors and founders would value - 55% of investors and 100% of founders we've spoken to identified this as an area in which they would value more support and resources. 💡 Help with recruitment and professional development is 1 of 5 key types of support founders require post-funding, identified by founders and investors we interviewed. Discover the other 4 in these initial findings: https://lnkd.in/exXvaGWg ————— 💡 Follow me for thought leadership on enabling female entrepreneurs 🌱Female founders, follow me for insights on scaling sustainably 🔔 Ring my bell to be notified whenever I post. ☎️ Book your chemistry call via www.withaata.com #foundersupport #founderresearch #venturecapital #founderCEO #fundraising

Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the most important support investors provide for founders is in making introductions to other investors. It follows that amongst the most valuable relationships an investment partner can cultivate are those with other investors who can provide their portfolio companies with the right co-investment and follow-on funding in subsequent rounds. The most effective VCs excel at offering this specialised support. This kind of support is especially important for investors focussed on supporting underrepresented founders, where the right level of advocacy for these founders makes all the difference in ensuring investment rounds are filled. As highlighted in Astia’s research https://bit.ly/42hUNqC 💡 Follow-on funding is 1 of 5 key types of support founders require post-funding, identified by founders and investors we interviewed. Discover the other 4 in these initial findings: https://lnkd.in/exXvaGWg ————— 💡 Follow me for thought leadership on enabling female entrepreneurs 🌱Female founders, follow me for insights on scaling sustainably 🔔 Ring my bell to be notified whenever I post. ☎️ Book your chemistry call via www.withaata.com #foundersupport #founderresearch #venturecapital #founderCEO #fundraising #fundingfemalefounders

"We were looking for an institutional investor who shared our values. Turns out, that wasn't an easy task" - Hermine Bonde Jahren 🗣 Annika Sten Pärson sat down alongside Hermine Bonde Jahren and Henrik Haaland Jahren of Braive for a conversation with Di Digital. Diving into the launch of Braive’s AI-driven case notes for clinicians and The Inner Foundation’s support of Braive as a thematic investor. This conversation is a testament to our core belief that entrepreneurship comes in various forms and often requires patient support to cultivate sustainable revenue models. A conviction that outlines our hybrid investment approach and that allows us to see eye-to-eye with visionaries like Henrik and Hermine, to support early-stage innovation to empower mental well-being. Thanks to Di Digital for shining a light on forward-thinking changemakers working on solutions to strengthen the mental health support system. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dH2Wd8ge #StrategicPhilanthropy #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #MentalWellbeing