Growing For It!

Episode 9 of Growing For It - Coffee Talk #5 with Mik & Trav Mikkel and Travis discuss the challenges and milestones of their hardware startup, Airflight, in the first half of 2021. After securing pre-seed funding, they hired key personnel, including an expert in carbon fiber. They faced difficulties in hiring skilled local workers and had to build a $50,000 carbon fiber oven themselves for $3,000. The team successfully assembled a large drone, which was one of the biggest quadcopters at the time. Despite initial success, a load test failure and a crash during the first flight test caused setbacks. They emphasize the importance of resourcefulness and the emotional impact of physical prototypes in their entrepreneurial journey. Key take-aways: * Resourcefulness and Creative Problem-Solving Faced with the need for a large, specialized oven, Mikkel and Trav converted a shipping container into a custom-built solution for a fraction of the commercial cost. This ability to find innovative and cost-effective solutions was crucial in the early stages of their startup. * The Emotional Impact of Tangible Progress Watching the physical components of the AF100 drone come together was a profound emotional milestone, igniting their passion and belief in the project. Celebrating these tangible achievements can provide the necessary motivation to overcome future challenges. * The Importance of Safety and Structured Processes The incident during the load test was a wake-up call, highlighting the need to take safety more seriously and implement more structured processes as they moved forward with testing and development. Embracing this shift in mindset would be crucial as they continued to push the boundaries of their technology. Chapters: [0:00:00] Closing the Pre-Seed Round and Moving Forward [0:01:36] Hiring Challenges and Lessons Learned [0:04:54] Building a Custom Oven for Carbon Fiber Parts [0:09:10] The Emotional Impact of Physical Prototypes [0:14:17] Assembling the AF100 and Preparing for the First Flight [0:18:46] Safety Concerns and Leveling Up [0:22:19] The Crash and Dealing with Setbacks [0:24:00] Reflecting on the Roller Coaster Ride If you wanna learn more about our "Founders" initiative, DM us on our socials listed below: 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] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/]

Episode 8 of Growing With it this time joined by Per Wimmer Per Wimmer, a global finance chair and adventurer, discussed his diverse background, including his law degrees and his role as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He highlighted his achievements, such as the first tandem skydive over Mount Everest and his future space flight plans. Wimmer emphasized the importance of philanthropy, sharing his work with UNICEF and Global Angels, which funded orphanages in Nepal for five years. He also discussed his writing, media work, and the influence of figures like Buzz Aldrin and Elon Musk. Wimmer shared personal anecdotes, including his experiences with the homeless in Wales and his adventures in the Amazon, underscoring the value of empathy and giving back. Key take-aways: 1. The power of personal connection and empathy: Wimmer emphasizes the profound impact he experienced from directly engaging with and supporting those in need, like the young girl at the orphanage in Nepal. 2. The importance of balancing ambition with purpose: Wimmer's "Seven Wimmer Values" highlight the need to pursue one's passions while also giving back and inspiring others. 3. Embracing risk and learning from mistakes: Wimmer encourages entrepreneurs to take action on their ideas rather than waiting for perfect conditions, as mistakes and failures are essential for growth. 4. The role of culture and psychology in business success: Wimmer stresses that half of business and finance is about people, culture, and psychology, not just numbers and spreadsheets. 5. Finding inspiration in diverse experiences: Wimmer's adventures in the Amazon jungle and time with the homeless in Wales provided valuable philosophical insights that shaped his outlook and approach to life. Chapters: 1. [0:00 - 10:00] Introduction to Per Wimmer: Entrepreneur, Adventurer, Philanthropist 2. [10:00 - 25:00] Philanthropic Efforts and Giving Back to the Next Generation 3. [25:00 - 40:00] Inspirational Figures and the Pursuit of Dreams 4. [40:00 - 55:00] Navigating Risks and Setbacks in Space Exploration 5. [55:00 - 70:00] The Seven Wimmer Values: A Guiding Compass 6. [70:00 - 85:00] Connecting with the Amazon Jungle and the Simplicity of Life 7. [85:00 - 95:00] Balancing Adventure, Philanthropy, and the Demands of Modern Life 8. [95:00 - 110:00] The Importance of Culture and Psychology in Business Success 9. [110:00 - 125:00] Embrace Action and Learn from Mistakes 10. [125:00 - 135:00] Closing Reflections and Key Takeaways More: Mikkel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/10xmks/] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/10xmks/ Travis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-james-mathers/] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-james-mathers/ Per Wimmer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/perwimmer/]- https://www.linkedin.com/in/perwimmer/

Episode 7 of Growing For It - 4th Coffee Talk about Airflight! Mikkel and Travis discuss their journey of raising a pre-seed round for their company, starting with the emotional high of the grant funding and the subsequent challenges with a co-founder who gave up his equity. Afterwards, They aimed to raise $180,000 for 10% equity, initially feeling optimistic but learning the hard work involved. Despite initial setbacks, they refined their pitch, contacting 50 investors weekly, and eventually secured an investment. This investment, along with previous grants, allowed them to transition from bootstrapping to being fully funded, enabling them to hire staff and proceed with their product development of the flying crane. Key take-aways 1. Importance of Honest Communication and Recalibration: The founders were able to resolve the co-founder issue through open and honest communication, and they quickly recalibrated their expectations and approach when facing challenges during the fundraising process. 2. Building a Strong Pitch and Investor Relationships: The founders put in significant effort to refine their pitch, becoming more confident and articulate in their presentations. They also focused on building genuine relationships with investors, which helped secure their first investment. 3. Transitioning from Bootstrapping to Funding: The investment from Peter marked a pivotal moment, allowing the founders to move forward with hiring, purchasing equipment, and building their product. The importance of having a compelling vision and building trust with investors was crucial in this pre-seed stage. Chapters: [0:00:00] Team Dynamics and Co-founder Challenges [0:02:50] Fundraising Goals and Initial Optimism [0:04:35] Developing the Pitch Deck [0:07:09] Investor Outreach and Handling Rejections [0:11:30] Improving Pitch Skills [0:14:39] Meeting Peter and Securing the Investment [0:20:01] Celebrating the Success [0:21:39] Importance of Vision 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] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/]

Episode 6 of Growing With It with guest Simone Engbo Hansen. Simone Engbo Hansen, an expert in communication and content creation, discusses her consultancy, EPOS Communication, which focuses on brand positioning and holistic marketing strategies. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling and humor in marketing, particularly through memes, which she uses to engage her audience on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Simone shares her personal journey, including overcoming chronic migraines and using her experiences to build resilience and connect with others. She advises aspiring personal brand builders to start posting consistently, share value, and be authentic to build a strong, relatable brand. Key take-aways: 1. Holistic Communications Strategy: Simone emphasizes the importance of considering all customer touchpoints and aligning brand positioning, messaging, and content across different platforms. 2. Leveraging Memes for Engagement: Simone's creative use of memes showcases how brands can effectively connect with younger audiences and build a sense of community. 3. Authenticity in Personal Branding: Simone shares how being open about her personal struggles and experiences has helped her build a relatable and engaging personal brand. 4. Overcoming Challenges with Resilience: Simone's perseverance in the face of chronic health issues demonstrates the power of a positive mindset and using challenges as fuel for growth. 5. Balancing Personal and Professional Branding: Simone discusses the nuances of aligning personal and company branding strategies to maintain a cohesive brand identity. Chapters: 1. Introduction to Simone's Entrepreneurial Journey [0:00 - 3:00] 2. Holistic Communications and Brand Positioning [3:00 - 12:00] 3. Leveraging Memes for Engagement [12:00 - 20:00] 4. The Roots of Simone's Creativity [20:00 - 28:00] 5. The Power of Relatable Storytelling [28:00 - 37:00] 6. Building a Authentic Personal Brand [37:00 - 46:00] 7. Overcoming Challenges with Resilience [46:00 - 55:00] 8. Aligning Personal and Professional Branding [55:00 - 65:00] 9. Developing a Supportive Mindset [65:00 - 80:00] 10. Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit [80:00 - 102:00] 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 Simone om LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-engbo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-engbo/] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/]

Episode 5 of Growing With It - #3 Coffee Talk with Mik & Trav Picking up from the second Coffee Talk we dive back into the story of AirFlight. Mikkel and his team successfully flew their flying car, garnering significant media attention, including a front-page regional newspaper story and national television coverage. This led to inquiries from the Danish wind industry, suggesting an unmanned version for wind turbine maintenance. Despite the emotional challenge of pivoting from their dream flying car to an unmanned crane, they secured a $125,000 grant, which allowed them to bring a co-founder back to Denmark and continue development. The process involved careful financial planning and grant application strategies, ultimately leading to a significant boost in their startup's momentum. Key take-aways: 1. Pivoting from the flying car to the unmanned flying crane was a difficult but necessary decision based on market demand. 2. Securing grants was crucial for funding the development of the new prototype and bringing Mikkel back home to work full-time. 3. Celebrating wins and reflecting on the emotional journey is important, as entrepreneurship can be fast-paced and overwhelming. 4. Being razor-sharp on financial projections, customer identification, and grant application details was key to securing funding. 5. Redistributing equity after a co-founder stepped down was a challenging but important step to move the company forward. Chapters: Chapter 1: Flying Car's First Media Coverage [0:00:00 - 0:02:12] Chapter 2: Transition to Unmanned Flying Crane [0:02:13 - 0:07:57] Chapter 3: Challenges and Emotional Impact of Pivoting [0:07:58 - 0:11:38] Chapter 4: Securing Funding and Moving Forward [0:11:39 - 0:16:57] Chapter 5: Reflecting on the Journey and Future Plans [0:16:58 - 0:22:44] 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] Thanks to our sponsors: Shaping New Tomorrow [https://shapingnewtomorrow.dk/] State Energy [https://state.nu/en/] Vestermark Consult [https://www.vestermarkconsult.com/]