Growing For It!

Episode 18 of Growing For It with Mads Friis Jensen In this episode Mads Friis Jensen shares his entrepreneurial journey as the Chief Commercial Officer and co-founder of Blue World Technologies, a deep tech startup focusing on methanol fuel cell technology. Mads discusses his transition from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, driven by a passion for innovative energy solutions. The company aims to revolutionize energy production by developing fuel cells that convert methanol into electricity more efficiently than traditional combustion engines, with a particular focus on the maritime industry. Mads candidly explores the challenges of startup life, emphasizing the importance of persistence, team building, and the ability to pivot quickly. He highlights the company's strategic decision to own its entire supply chain and the complexities of fundraising, including securing investment from notable backers like Breakthrough Energy. Throughout the conversation, he stresses the significance of having a strong founding team, maintaining focus, and being prepared for the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship. The episode provides insights into Blue World Technologies' vision of making a significant impact on decarbonization, particularly in the marine sector. Mads shares personal lessons about maintaining balance, enjoying the entrepreneurial journey, and the importance of being ready to adapt to changing circumstances. His story is a testament to the power of passion, preparation, and perseverance in building a technology company aimed at creating meaningful environmental change. Key take-aways: 1. Ownership of the entire value chain is critical in deep tech startups, especially when developing complex technologies like methanol fuel cells. By controlling key components, companies can ensure quality, innovation, and competitive advantage. 2. Entrepreneurial success is less about having a perfect plan and more about persistence, adaptability, and the ability to pivot quickly when challenges arise. Mads emphasizes that being prepared to change course is more important than rigidly sticking to an initial strategy. 3. Building a strong founding team with complementary skills is essential. In Blue World Technologies' case, having founders with different perspectives - a speeder, a brake, and a customer-focused approach - helped navigate complex technical and business challenges. 4. Impact-driven innovation requires a long-term vision. Blue World Technologies isn't just developing a product, but aims to fundamentally transform the maritime industry's approach to energy by providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. 5. Personal preparation is key to entrepreneurial success. This includes not just technical skills, but also financial readiness, mental resilience, and the ability to maintain a balanced perspective - understanding that both success and challenges are temporary parts of the journey. If you wanna learn more about our "Elite Founders Fundraising" program, DM us on our socials listed here: Mikkel on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili] Travis on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali] Mikkel on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel [https://growing-forhttps//growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel-it.captivate.fm/mikkel] Travis on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis] Also be sure to check out Mads on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madsfriis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/madsfriis/] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/] Chapters: 1: From Farm to Fuel Cells [0:00 - 0:10] 2: The Accidental Hydrogen Journey [0:10 - 0:15] 3: Corporate Roots and Technology Foundations [0:15 - 0:25] 4: Birthing Blue World Technologies [0:25 - 0:40] 5: The Methanol Revolution Explained [0:40 - 0:55] 6: Fundraising and Chinese Connections [0:55 - 1:10] 7: Building a Deep Tech Team [1:10 - 1:25] 8: Navigating Startup Challenges [1:25 - 1:35] 10: Entrepreneurial Mindset and Personal Reflections [1:35 - 1:40]

Episode 17 of Growing For It with Ilya Katsnelson Ilya Katsnelson is a multifaceted entrepreneur and investor who emerged from a challenging background in the Soviet Union. Born into a Jewish family, he emigrated to the United States in 1976 at age 10, experiencing a dramatic transition from Soviet life to American opportunity. After settling in Louisiana and Wisconsin, he pursued a comprehensive education, completing a triple major in Spanish, International Relations, and History, and studying internationally in Mexico and Norway. His professional journey began with international trade, particularly focusing on the former Soviet Union after its dissolution. In 1992, he co-founded a food trading company that navigated the complex economic landscape of emerging post-Soviet markets. Leveraging his multilingual skills and deep understanding of international commerce, Katsnelson developed a successful trading business that involved commodities from around the world. Throughout his career, Katsnelson developed a unique set of investment principles: learning something new, trusting founders, benefiting humanity, adding value beyond money, and ensuring potential for profit. His approach to business emphasizes relationship-building, trust, and long-term perspective over short-term gains. His life has been marked by significant challenges, including navigating post-Soviet economic transitions, dealing with complex international trade regulations, and even facing an Interpol Red Notice. These experiences have shaped his resilient approach to business and life, emphasizing continuous learning, adaptability, and personal integrity. Currently based in Denmark, Katsnelson works as an investor and advisor to startup founders, drawing from his rich international experience and diverse background. His story is a testament to the power of adaptability, education, and maintaining a global perspective in an increasingly interconnected world. Key take-aways: 1. Adaptability is Crucial: Katsnelson's life demonstrates the importance of being flexible and resilient. From emigrating from the Soviet Union to navigating complex international trade markets, he consistently showed an ability to adapt to new environments, languages, and business challenges. 2. Trust and Relationships Trump Short-Term Gains: His business philosophy emphasizes building long-term relationships and maintaining integrity. He would rather lose money in the short term than damage his reputation, believing that trust is the most valuable asset in business. 3. Multilingualism is a Powerful Business Tool: Speaking multiple languages (Russian, English, Danish, Spanish, and Italian) allowed Katsnelson to create unique business opportunities and understand different cultural contexts, giving him a significant competitive advantage. 4. Continuous Learning is Essential: Whether learning languages, understanding new markets, or adapting to different business environments, Katsnelson's approach to life and business is rooted in a commitment to continuous learning and personal growth. 5. Principles Matter More Than Profits: His investment criteria go beyond financial returns, focusing on learning, benefiting humanity, and adding value. This holistic approach to business and investment reflects a deeper understanding of success that transcends monetary metrics. If you wanna learn more about our "Elite Founders Fundraising" program, DM us on our socials listed here: Mikkel on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili] Travis on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali] Mikkel on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel [https://growing-forhttps//growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel-it.captivate.fm/mikkel] Travis on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis] Also be sure to check out Ilya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katsnelsonilya/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katsnelsonilya/] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/] Chapters: 1. From Soviet Roots: Early Life and Identity [0:00 - 0:25:00] 2. The Emigration Journey: Leaving the Soviet Union [0:25:00 - 0:40:00] 3. American Education and Cultural Adaptation [0:40:00 - 0:55:00] 4. Mexican Adventures and Language Learning [0:55:00 - 1:10:00] 5. First Steps in International Trade [1:10:00 - 1:25:00] 6. Navigating Post-Soviet Business Landscapes [1:25:00 - 1:40:00] 7. Commodity Trading and Economic Challenges [1:40:00 - 1:55:00] 8. The Art of Building Business Relationships [1:55:00 - 2:10:00] 9. Transition to Oil Tanker Operations [2:10:00 - 2:20:00] 10. Interpol and Legal Battles: A Personal Ordeal [2:20:00 - 2:30:00] 11. Reflections on Resilience and Global Citizenship [2:30:00 - 2:34:00]

Episode 16 of Growing For It with Jakob Neua Nørgaard Jakob Neua, a serial entrepreneur and founder the online real estate tool Estaldo, as well as NASDAQ-listed Penneo, discusses his journey from founding Penneo in 2011 to its IPO in 2020. Initially, Penneo aimed to digitize contract signing, facing challenges with government approval. Despite initial struggles, Penneo gained traction and was approved for digital signing of annual reports. Neua left Penneo in 2017 and co-founded Estaldo, a digital platform for selling homes, which offers significant cost savings. Neua emphasizes the importance of balancing work and personal life, sharing his experience of quitting Penneo to prioritize family. He also highlights the challenges of Denmark's taxation on unrealized gains post-IPO. Jakob Neua discusses his experience on a Danish TV show where he and his co-founder pitched their company. Despite extensive preparation, they forgot to mention the amount of money they were seeking. The show lasted three hours, and they received bids from investors. Jakob emphasizes the importance of deep preparation and transparency. He also shared insights on Estaldo, and his pride in moving from a single-parent household to a stable family life. Jakob advises understanding personality types to improve team communication and business success. The conversation concludes with reflections on balancing personal and professional life. Key take-aways: 1. Prioritize Family: Always put being a good parent and spouse first, even if it means stepping back from a successful business. 2. Embrace Change: If something stops being fun or meaningful, don't be afraid to quit and pursue new opportunities. 3. Solve Real Problems: Build businesses that address genuine pain points, like Penneo's digital signature solution and Estaldo's simplified home selling platform. 4. Prepare Thoroughly: Whether pitching on TV or meeting investors, deep preparation and understanding of your business is crucial. 5. Maintain High Ethical Standards: Always treat people fairly, be transparent, and take responsibility for other people's investments and trust. If you wanna learn more about our "Elite Founders Fundraising" program, DM us on our socials listed here: Mikkel on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili] Travis on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali] Mikkel on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel [https://growing-forhttps//growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel-it.captivate.fm/mikkel] Travis on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis] Also be sure to check out Jakob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakobneua/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakobneua/] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/] Chapters: 1. [0:00 - 7:00] Early Entrepreneurial Sparks 2. [7:00 - 12:00] The McDonald's Mindset 3. [12:00 - 20:00] Digital Magazine Adventures 4. [20:00 - 28:00] Web Development Struggles 5. [28:00 - 40:00] Penneo's Origin Story 6. [40:00 - 52:00] Digital Signature Revolution 7. [52:00 - 62:00] Government Approval Battle 8. [62:00 - 72:00] Preparing for IPO 9. [72:00 - 82:00] The Emotional Rollercoaster of Going Public 10. [82:00 - 88:00] Family First: Stepping Back from Penneo 11. [88:00 - 94:00] Estaldo: Reimagining Real Estate 12. [94:00 - 98:00] Danish Shark Tank Experience 13. [98:00 - 100:00] Entrepreneurial Philosophy and Lessons

Episode 15 of Growing For It with Carsten Vestermark *Full disclosure: Carsten is one of the main sponsors of the podcast through his business Vestermark Consult* Carsten Vestermark discusses his career journey, emphasizing the importance of accepting responsibility and adapting to new roles. He has conducted around 1500 interviews and hired over 100 people, highlighting the significance of identifying "A players" through their past experiences and reflective abilities. Vestermark shared insights on handling firings, stressing the need for preparation, clear communication, and managing emotions. He also underscored the value of gratitude and continuous improvement, advocating for a mindset that seeks to make a positive impact rather than complain. His approach to leadership involves fostering a supportive environment and encouraging employees to take initiative. The discussion focused on effective management and feedback techniques, emphasizing the importance of timely, honest, and respectful communication. Key points included the necessity of immediate feedback to prevent escalation of emotions, the significance of having a bench of potential hires, and the impact of cultural fit on team performance. The conversation also highlighted the challenges of scaling a team without compromising standards, the importance of clear communication in recruiting, and the need for long-term planning in HR. Additionally, the conversation touched on the ethical considerations of firing employees and the benefits of a positive work culture. Key take-aways 1. Embrace an Unconventional Career Path: Carsten's journey shows that a lack of a clear plan can lead to unexpected opportunities for growth and development. Being open to new experiences can be a strength. 2. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Carsten's personal loss early in his career sparked a deep interest in understanding people and their motivations. Developing self-awareness and empathy are crucial leadership skills. 3. Focus on Hiring for Cultural Fit: Carsten emphasizes the importance of not compromising on cultural fit when scaling a team, even if it means being more selective with hires. Building the right team culture is critical. 4. Provide Honest, Timely Feedback: Carsten believes in giving feedback immediately, both positive and negative. This helps maintain clear expectations and empowers employees to improve. 5. Approach Difficult Decisions with Empathy: When it comes to letting people go, Carsten stresses the importance of having a structured process while also treating departing employees with respect and care. If you wanna learn more about our "Elite Founders Fundraising" program, DM us on our socials listed here: Mikkel on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili] Travis on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali] Mikkel on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel [https://growing-forhttps//growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel-it.captivate.fm/mikkel] Travis on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis] Also be sure to check out Carsten on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-vestermark-76a9001/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-vestermark-76a9001/] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/] Chapters: 1- [00:00 - 10:00] An Unconventional Career Journey 2- [10:00 - 20:00] The Pivotal Moment That Shaped a Leader 3- [20:00 - 30:00] Developing Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness 4- [30:00 - 40:00] Hiring and Retaining Top Talent 5- [40:00 - 50:00] The Art of Providing Honest Feedback 6- [50:00 - 1:00:00] Navigating Difficult Personnel Decisions 7- [1:00:00 - 1:10:00] Building a Strong Company Culture 8- [1:10:00 - 1:20:00] The Value of Adaptability and Continuous Learning 9- [1:20:00 - 1:30:00] Putting the Team Before the Individual 10- [1:30:00 - 1:40:00] Lessons in Leadership and Legacy 11- [1:40:00 - 1:50:00] Closing Thoughts and Advice

Episode 14 of Growing For It with Jannik Olander Jannik Olander, CEO and founder of Nialaya, discusses his entrepreneurial journey from Denmark to Los Angeles. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, ambition, and resilience in entrepreneurship. Jannik's early experiences included working on a farm in Denmark and being inspired by fashion magazines. He moved to London at 18, worked in various roles, and eventually returned to Denmark to manage Ralph Lauren stores. He later expanded to Tommy Hilfiger and Polo Jeans, managing many stores in Illum's department store. Jannik also ventured into outlet stores and a T-shirt business, highlighting the challenges and successes in his diverse entrepreneurial endeavors. Jannik also underwent near bankruptcy, moved to the states, and began a jewelry fashion brand. His brand Nialaya gained traction, particularly after meeting P. Diddy and other celebrities although the brand faced legal challenges from a competitor but survived. Jannik emphasizes the importance of hard work, leading to significant growth and a shift from celebrity-focused to influencer-focused marketing. Today, the brand is internationally recognized, with a strong online presence and a vision for future expansion. Jannik discusses his vision of expanding his business to Copenhagen or London. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, crediting his 27-year-old wife for her influence. He reflects on past financial mistakes, advocating for savings and cautious spending. Yannick contrasts the social dynamics in Denmark and the US, noting the openness and networking opportunities in LA. He expresses concerns about the current economic climate, comparing it to 2008. Lastly, he contemplates the challenges of raising children in LA, considering a move to Malibu for a safer environment. If you wanna learn more about our "Elite Founders Fundraising" program, DM us on our socials listed here: Mikkel on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mili] Travis on LinkedIn: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/trali] Mikkel on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel [https://growing-forhttps//growing-for-it.captivate.fm/mikkel-it.captivate.fm/mikkel] Travis on Insta: https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis [https://growing-for-it.captivate.fm/travis] Be sure to check out Jannik on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannikolander/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannikolander/] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/] Chapters [0:00 - 10:00] Jannik's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins [10:00 - 20:00] From the Countryside to the City [20:00 - 30:00] Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit [30:00 - 40:00] Building a Retail Empire in Copenhagen [40:00 - 50:00] Expanding Through Outlet Stores and New Ventures [50:00 - 1:00:00] Lessons Learned: Challenges and Resilience [1:00:00 - 1:10:00] Selling Stores and Pursuing New Opportunities [1:10:00 - 1:20:00] A Fresh Start in New York and the Breakup [1:20:00 - 1:30:00] Launching the Nialaya Jewelry Brand in Los Angeles [1:30:00 - 1:40:00] Nialaya's Rise: Celebrity Endorsements and Legal Battles [1:40:00 - 1:50:00] Evolving the Brand [1:50:00 - 2:00:00] Balancing Growth and a Healthy Lifestyle [2:00:00 - 2:10:00] Reflecting on Past Choices and Current Contentment [2:10:00 - 2:20:00] Navigating Cultural Differences and Concerns About the Economy [2:20:00 - 2:30:00] Thoughts on Becoming a Father and the Future