The selection criteria at Fledge, the conscious company accelerator are easy to explain. 1) Team, 2) Impact, and 3) Odds of success. The subtleties within each of these concepts and the whole selection process takes a bit more explanation: 1. Team Unlike most of the other accelerators focused on social good, Fledge is behind the scenes, a for-profit impact investment fund. We invest in every...
In the traditional world of early stage, Angel and VC investing, money is local. Studies show that over 80% of funding at Angel groups and Series A VCs goes to businesses in the same city/region as the funders. Over in the impact investing space, this rule is not true. Socially and environmentally conscious entrepreneurs are tackling global, planet-scale issues, often well outside the investment...
In a Day in the Life, the Beatles tell us, “now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall”. In the day in the life of the entrepreneur, who is there to say how many holes there are yet to fill? A few times last week, I was questioned as to why anyone needs a business accelerator vs. following in the path I took, learning the trade “in the streets” by...
Great startup mentors are a bit like magicians. In the midst of an ordinary conversation, they are able to amaze and astound their mentees with ideas and advice that seem to be pulled out of an empty hat. In my daily work with entrepreneurs, I see such acts of magic almost every day. I see entrepreneurs picking their jaws up off the floor after one astute comment causes a major redo of their...
