The summer of new entrepreneurial beginnings
One of the most inspiring and rewarding aspects of my role as an Investment Director at Fusion Ecosystem is the opportunity to meet individuals driven by the dream of creating something of their own. These dreams can be inspired by a desire to leave a lasting impact on the industry, to create the best workplace for like-minded individuals, or to achieve economic freedom and the ability to design a life where they are the masters of their fate.?
Despite varying motivations, these aspiring entrepreneurs share a recognition of their capabilities and a willingness to maximise their potential. For many, the dream of entrepreneurship has lingered, often in the background, waiting for the right moment to be pursued.
Recently, I had an enlightening discussion with a highly experienced business director who had spent over two decades driving a successful career at a large international technology company. This individual had recently transitioned from this impressive corporate role to entrepreneurship. Soon after, that person received an enticing offer for another high-level executive position. This offer promised a seat at influential tables, substantial pay, and significant power. However, the individual was torn. Would this position provide the same sense of unlimited possibilities, freedom, and meaningfulness that could be found in entrepreneurship? Moreover, accepting the position could mean sacrificing the achieved, balanced dream lifestyle.
This scenario is not uncommon. Many founders who I get to connect with are experienced business directors who find the leap from a familiar corporate career to entrepreneurship daunting. The question often arises: "Is now the right time?" Potential founders contemplate the market situation and economic shifts, questioning whether the current environment is conducive to starting a business.? Another common concern is whether a unique innovation is necessary to create a successful business.
Building a successful business is undeniably challenging and requires a lot of hard work. Success is seldom achieved alone. Rather, it is built with a great team and collaboration. A slower market necessitates a solid commercial foundation since growth is not solely driven by market conditions. Also, many successful businesses are built on non-revolutionary business ideas. The key to success, especially in consulting, lies in the people: a team that is curious, ambitious, and humble enough to listen to customers can steer the business towards creating value. In such an environment, it is easier to build a healthy growth culture through proactive and curious collaboration, and an inspirational story that binds the team together.
Sliding into summer, I am excited to begin my vacation with anticipation for the opportunities and engaging founder discussions that the fall will bring. This journey means that, alongside the Fusion team, I get to be part of making dreams come true for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
This newsletter includes several articles on entrepreneurial dreams for summer reading. I leave you with a question: Is it the right time for you to dream and explore the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur?
Happy reading,
Riikka Uimonen , Investment Director & Co-founder at Fusion Ecosystem
Why founders thrive: The essential success drivers behind systematic entrepreneurship
What drives individuals to become entrepreneurs and how structured processes can help young companies find the right path to fulfil those dreams?
Marko Oksanen, the CEO & Co-founder of Coventures and Riikka Uimonen, the Investment Director and Co-founder of Fusion Ecosystem, met recently to have an ice cream and ended up chatting about entrepreneurial dreams and the systematic ways to build growth companies.
Read the key takeaway from here.
Coventures – A community of 30+ entrepreneurs
In 2012, a student's master's thesis sparked a revolutionary idea: entrepreneurship as a learnable skill. This is the origin story of a Fusion company Coventures. Coventures is a company built on the belief that anyone can unlock their inner entrepreneur.??
Dive in and discover how Coventures is transforming businesses and empowering individuals through a thriving community of experienced entrepreneurs. Read the story from here.
From hero to human: Redefining success in entrepreneurship
While entrepreneurs are traditionally seen as tireless super humans and heroic figures who fight battles and overcame obstacles, in recent years a new generation of entrepreneurs has emerged. The time has come to leave behind the entrepreneurial hero and welcome the human entrepreneur.
This article highlights three of the trends that are part of the emerging wave of human entrepreneurship: purpose and profits, thriving people, and community and collaboration.
Co-founder story of Jaakko Karhumaa
Life is about creating and exploring different experiences that make the journey richer and the traveller more content. Building a company can be such an experience.
Jaakko Karhumaa had spent most of his almost 25-year-long career serving big international corporations. The experience he was still missing on the life journey was building his own company from scratch.
“I was haunted by curiosity and the idea that I could use the things I had learned in big companies for something else. To put these lessons into building the best version of a company.”
Learn how Jaakko founded Mallow, a Fusion company specialised in Microsoft Azure Cloud. Click here to read the full article.
Fusion Ecosystem is an ecosystem of 30+ international digital development companies accelerated by Reaktor. Driven by our core mission, to create and grow thriving companies, Fusion co-founds and funds new consulting companies, and we are constantly on a look for new founders to join us. Read more.