Questions

1. Can we successfully redirect investment upstream to Technology Readiness Level Two (TRL2) for the prompt resolution of complex societal issues by simply replacing publicly funded venture capital (private can act as they wish) with private equity?

2. Could engineers, innovators, creatives, and applied researchers, who might not identify as entrepreneurs, experience advantages from a venture builder model that provides commercialization-as-a-service?

Observations that could unlock the door to transformation

1. Innovators, frequently consisting of engineers, scientists, artisans, creatives, and academics, may not inherently have the inclination or capability to transition into the role of an entrepreneur. This situation results in a substantial pool of untapped innovation globally, especially within the applied research community. Conventional entrepreneurial business training may not effectively address this challenge given this inherent inclination.

2. In our present startup ecosystems worldwide, publicly funded grants are widespread and frequently accompanied by additional assistance, such as volunteer mentoring, university technology transfer support, and publicly funded incubators. However, thus far, all these types of support lack the capability to actively engage in the skilled entrepreneurial business work and financial investments required for the urgent commercialization of vital innovations.

3. Institutional, retail and endowment investors have a history of adopting investment policies aimed at maximizing returns for the benefit of shareholders. If we persist with entrepreneurship and venture capital alone, significant change in the current state of affairs is improbable without the implementation of a new startup investment mechanism aligned with this, even including considerations for impact investing.

Aha Moment

Entrepreneurs have been instrumental in reshaping the world, playing a crucial role in nurturing creativity, adaptability, and competitiveness, thus making substantial contributions to our economic vitality. 

However, it’s crucial to recognize the scarcity of serial entrepreneurs due to the distinctive mindset they possess. We must use serial entrepreneurs judiciously as they play a vital role in leading us towards the emerging economy.

Positively, the world is overflowing with innovators, frequently consisting of engineers, scientists, artisans, creatives, and academics full of ideas, alongside a plethora of business specialists eager to make valuable contributions.

Project X’s ambitious vision revolves around uniting the complementary skill sets of innovators and business specialists within a meticulously crafted model to effectively supervise the rapid commercialization of innovation. This strategy, spearheaded by chief entrepreneurs, is specifically designed to benefit both society and investors.

In the pursuit of our vision, we’ve established a tri-sector governance model encompassing business, government, and the nonprofit sector, with the primary objective of connecting innovators, including those who may not identify or aspire to be entrepreneurs, with comprehensive business support. This ensures collective success in building thriving, multi-generational enterprises. Not only does this approach enhance the success of profitable ventures, but it also strengthens our communities, all propelled by a profound sense of urgency to address complex problems.

Solution

The positive news is that these components are not novel; we suggest a fresh recipe—one that doesn’t supplant the existing ecosystem (as it still caters to a specific niche) but is rather supplementary.

1. To facilitate change and authentically nurture the emerging economy, it is crucial for our elected officials and community leaders to prioritize the implementation of a mandate focused on rapidly accelerating meaningful innovation. This involves the necessity for leadership and the establishment of new roles to envision the future and devise innovative approaches to fortify economic footprints. We envision a role at the highest level with this specific responsibility, and in conjunction with executive and political leaders, we endorse the inclusion of “Chief Entrepreneurs” across all sectors of public service, academia, and economic development.

2. For effective guidance of change, the utilization of credible due diligence data and value stream mapping is crucial in decision-making. Innovators and chief entrepreneurs depend on this information to ascertain where to direct their time and energy. Public decision-makers need due diligence data to track relevant themes and trends, and academic institutions rely on it to inform meaningful applied research. Furthermore, funding programs utilize this data to make informed investment decisions.

3. To harness the value of non-entrepreneurial innovators, we need entities referred to as Venture Builders, equipped with the capacity to act as the driving force behind these innovators. This accelerates their journey from concept to commercialization with heightened success rates. Not only does this establish a robust new platform for innovators to actively engage in the ecosystem, but it also contributes to the development of a more resilient startup sector capable of scaling.

4. To materialize new businesses emerging from innovation, we need to open avenues for private equity investment vehicles to finance innovations scrutinized by the Data Lab and Venture Builder. For example, establishing a publicly traded holding company could reduce friction for institutional funds, endowment funds, and wealth advisors, while also providing retail investors the opportunity to invest in an innovation portfolio. 

Requests

1. If you have ties to private investors or chief investment officers actively delving into investment strategies, we encourage you to initiate a conversation that could pave the way for introducing the Project X hypothesis. This has the potential to spark fresh global discussions on wealth creation and preservation.

2. If you have ties to elected officials exploring innovative economic development models for their communities, we urge you to start a conversation that could introduce the Project X hypothesis. This has the potential to ignite new global discussions on local living economies and community well-being.

3. Please carefully examine Project X with a discerning and curious mindset, aimed at providing effective support to innovators who may not fit the conventional entrepreneur mold. This initiative utilizes a commercialization-as-a-service model funded through private equity. Feel free to ask any clarifying questions, as your inquiries are welcomed and appreciated.

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