Our Manifesto
Beating The Odds
We believe in founders who beat the odds in the past, even when they were dealt a bad hand, it is how you play a bad hand that sets you apart and shows that you will beat the odds again in the future. We bet on grit.
Our Bias is Diversity
We are committed to building a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem. Although talent may be equally distributed, opportunity is not. We focus on empowering the underestimated.
Zebras, Not Unicorns
For a start they’re real. Zebras are about creating a more ethical and inclusive movement to counter existing startup and venture capital culture. They are both black and white: they are profitable and improve society.
Life Work Integration
We focus on finding ‘life work fit’, which is very individual. This means a significant investment of time in figuring out what would work for you, how to remain alert and agile, and how to build and maintain a suitable company culture.
Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously
You can make a difference at scale, but never forget to keep both your feet on the ground. Common sense and street smarts will get you a long way as long as you don’t fall into the pompous trap.
Rabbit Holes & Unbirthdays
Curiosity and fun are mandatory. Go down rabbit holes and celebrate that you’re alive and working on something that matters to you. The only certainty in life is death.
Dream Big, Start Small
Start by building the first piece towards your long-term vision. If you keep building towards an ambitious goal, but remain agile and dedicated enough, reaching it is just a question of time.
Secret Weapon
Do what you say you’re going to do. That’s it. If you commit to doing something, execute. If you can’t, let others know. You’ll learn follow-through has magical powers.
Embrace Complexity
The world is complex and so are solutions. System thinking and speculative practice can help you unravel problems and anticipate unintended outcomes of your solution.
Be Brave
Be defiant when needed. Speak up. Go against the grain. Surround yourself with brave people and don’t spend too much energy worrying about what others might think.
And Above All
Be Kind.
