Mennohatten

Yesterday, we all flew in for the business trip of ScaleNL : Accelerating Dutch tech startups and scaleups to the US with a focus on New York and Boston.

I have been involved in coaching the participating 10 startups on sustainability and innovation potential, leveraging my network to them. Such an innovation, sustainability and (US)scale potential they posses. This week is for me to learn how to boost ESG/Sustainability/Climatetech as Dutch export product. Also for me this trip is about expanding and bringing my network to the US. So I did my research beforehand. Amongst others I read/ am still reading the novel of Edward Rutherford 'New York'. It starts in the 17th century when my ancestors where so daring to take their ships across the sea and started the settlement of New Amsterdam, later on to be called New York. Striking to read about the entrepreneurial spirit, sense of trade that laid a foundation in this city, primarily seen back in the names of streets (Harlem = Haarlem, Brooklyn = Breukelen). We bought it from to native Americans (hmmm) and sold it for 1 usd to the British (hmmm). Don't know what to think of those deals...

Also in the final days of my preparation I stumbled upon the news that Silicon Valley Bank was shut down and put under FDIC control. Shocking timing. Bringing back memories of ABN AMRO's in 2008. I thought I left that far behind me after starting my own business end of 2021. Your history stays with you! Her we are again in a twilight zone. Especially, for all startups, employees and investors these must be hard, challenging times. Take care! While I was waiting at Amsterdam Airport yesterday I searched for related news and got the tip to listen to this podcast of Jason Calacanis If the shit hits the fan, you need to hear it through the grapevine. Curious what you think of this catastrophic serious of events and let's hope for salvation and limited contagion. Personally, I take it as a good lesson (again!) that infinite growth, money wheel machines, raising for the raising comes with a certain risk to put it mildly. As innovator working on corporate ventures, I learned as well that premature scaling just does not pay off.

Surely, this will effect the dynamics of the week and talks we have in New York and Boston. I am on my guard but also optimistic. The drive of the entrepreneurs I met is more than going for a hit and run. They are mission driven, ambitious and taking time to prepare (hence: 2 months prep before going), curious to explore and meet people. Yesterday's first walks through Manhatten, first talks and dinner together with the founders learned me they already know the place quite well and are eager to learn and connect more! I actually got a little bit of the 17th century vibes there:) Of course, we need to take it further and more impactful than those years. This morning I was just reading about the many explanations for the word and origin of Manhatten, hilly island. Manaháhtaan 'the place where people gathered to collect wood for bows. Well, we don't need bows now and let's not get into hunting and fighting. But we surely need to gather and run over hills if needed and aim sharp at the impactful goals where we all profit from. People and planet.

Already found one of my ancestors yesterday:

Mennohatten it is! Let the week for of interesting gatherings begin.