Start-Up Communities – Innovative Ventures

Financing the Venture Capital Ecosystem—Day #1 in Lima, Peru

Entrepreneurs and investors speak about the need and urgency to increase investment and Scale Up start-up communities in their countries. Yet when it’s time to invest capital, the culture of risk impedes the flow of money from the wallets of local investors into the pockets of entrepreneurs. What are the fears which domestic capital has for technology up-starts and emerging growth companies—& what solutions exist to reverse such behaviors? It was these subjects which I spoke to at the global…

Scaling Start-up Communities: Catalyzing the Korean Venture Capital Ecosystem

The Park Geun-hye government is embarking on an national agenda to not only integrate Korea’s economy more deeply in the global innovation ecosystem, but to be one of its leaders too—to increase the prosperity and well-being of not only Korean citizens, but residents of the world. Park challenged global leaders to use creativity, technology and innovation as the growth engines for the creation of new and unheard industries for the 21st century. This is a theme espoused by Peter Diamandis…

Scaling Up Start-up Communities: Engage Risk as Your Friend, not a Foe—to Impact Investor DNA—& Raise $ for Your Venture

The most frequent complaint I hear from entrepreneurs in the emerging markets is the lack of risk capital in their country; investors willing to finance start-ups and early stage companies. Many founders travel to America seeking money and connections in the US venture ecosystem. While a few are able to raise cash, most don’t—and return home empty handed—to face an unknown future. With trillions of dollars invested in food & beverage, fast moving consumer goods, retailing, wholesaling and construction to…