Shows
Limitless AfricaInvestor Luni Libes - The VC model is just fundamentally the wrong fit for Africa. Do something different. "There's more change that can be made, more impact, more positive impact in people's lives through this kind of work, and plenty of money to be made."On this episode of Limitless Africa, we speak to Luni Libes, CEO and founder of agriculture investment company Africa Eats. As of December 2024, Africa Eats was listed on the Mauritius Stock exchange. Luni Libes is an intrepid investor and the real deal: the 23 active companies in the Africa Eats portfolio had a combined revenue of $44 million dollars last year - up from only one million when he started investing. Lun...
2025-12-0434 min
Limitless Africa (Português)Investir em África com paciência: o modelo de Luni LibesO modelo de capital de risco tradicional não serve para África? Neste episódio de Limitless Africa, Lourdes fala com o investidor americano Luni Libes, fundador da Africa Eats, e com a empresária tanzaniana Haika Mtei, CEO da Golden Pot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-12-0115 min
Sound Investments - The Pacific Northwest VC & Startup Podcast with Ed BarkerLuni Libes, Founder, Africa Eats - "Investing in the Real World: Food and Growth in Africa"From Tech to Bananas: A New Investment HorizonThis week, Ed Barker sits down with Luni Libes, one of Seattle’s most quietly influential entrepreneurs and investors. Luni built and ran multiple software companies before launching Fledge, the accelerator network that helped more than 120 founders around the world. His current focus is Africa Eats, an investment company backing a portfolio of food-focused African businesses that are growing far faster - and surviving at rates far higher - than the typical American tech startup.Luni explains why the standard venture playbook misses the realities of...
2025-11-2140 min
Africa Tech Talks#EP 31 (S02) - Berkshire Africa - Investing for 100 Years, Not Just Exits! w/ Luni LibesWe're excited to have Luni Libes joining us—he’s the big thinker behind Africa Eats and its CEO. Luni’s got a cool backstory, going from a tech hotshot to a major force in impact investing all over Africa. Africa Eats isn’t your average investment outfit. They’re blazing a trail with a for-profit setup to fight hunger and poverty, pouring money and support into African small and medium-sized businesses that keep the continent’s food and farming scene humming. In a gutsy move, Africa Eats just got listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (Semex), open...
2025-04-0336 min
Impact Innovations PodcastEpisode 2: Impact Investing in African Agriculture with Luni LibesPresented by UI Charitable - Luni shares his journey from tech entrepreneurship to impact investing, the creation of the global impact accelerator Fledge, and the unique “Berkshire Hathaway” approach behind Africa Eats. The conversation highlights how Africa Eats supports African entrepreneurs in scaling food and agriculture businesses that uplift smallholder farmers and reduce food waste—while maintaining profitability.A special thanks to our production sponsor, UI Charitable.Learn more about Luni Libes at http://lunarmobiscuit.comFind more high impact vetted organizations here: https://www.fiercephilanthropy.org/vetted-organizations/Invest in Africa Eats he...
2025-04-0136 min
Unlocking AfricaProfit, Impact, and Growth: An Investment Model That Turns Small Farmers into High-Growth Agribusinesses with Luni LibesEpisode 160 with Luni Libes, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and impact-driven venture builder. Luni is the founder and CEO of Africa Eats, an innovative investment company tackling food insecurity and poverty across Africa by scaling profitable, for-profit agribusinesses. He also leads SEMX, a groundbreaking initiative unlocking public capital markets for African SMEs.Africa Eats invests in and supports early-stage, fast-growing food and agriculture companies that are solving critical supply chain inefficiencies, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Through its long-term, equity-holding model, the company has helped businesses grow 50%+ annually, transforming subsistence farmers into sustainable...
2025-02-0348 min
Under the Hood PodcastLuni Libes of Africa Eats
Join us in this enlightening episode of the Under the Hood podcast as host Timothy Douglas speaks with Luni Libes, the pioneering CEO of Africa Eats. Discover Luni's remarkable journey from entrepreneur to impact investor and learn how he's transforming the landscape of food production in Africa. With a focus on sustainability, Luni discusses innovative strategies to reduce post-harvest losses while empowering local farmers through direct purchasing. Get in touch with Luni: http://africaeats.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lunarmobiscuit/Gain insights into the unique challenges and triumphs of the African agricultural system, and...
2024-10-1636 min
FRANKLY SPEAKING WITH SENDRA D. PodcastThe New Hybrid Strategy Western Investors are Using For Africa: VC + Philanthropy With Luni LibesIn this insightful episode, Sendra Dorcé sits down with Luni Libes, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Africa Eats, a holding company that nurtures and accelerates the growth of early-stage agribusinesses across Africa. Luni shares his journey as he deals with the challenges faced by agribusinesses in Africa. He discusses his 30+ year journey as a serial entrepreneur, turned mentor, author, and teacher.Africa Eats is a pan-African investment company focused on feeding Africa. His company is a spin-off of Fledge, a global network of impact-oriented accelerators. Their approach is as public charity that makes it easy for anyone t...
2024-08-131h 06
The Credibility Nation ShowFunding For Mission-Driven Companies with Luni Libes (CNS 348)In this episode, Luni Libes talks about accomplishing the mission of your business with help from investors while creating an impact on the world. He is a serial entrepreneur, educator, author, mentor, advisor, and investor. Luni is the founder and managing director of Fledge, a conscious company accelerator that helps mission-driven companies earn profit and revenues while making an impact on the world. He helps these entrepreneurs to connect them with investors and make them into even more investable and impactful companies. To learn more about Luni Libes, go to http://aha.pub/LuniLibes. To get in touch with...
2023-05-1006 min
Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food201 Luni Libes - Building a Warren Buffet style portfolio while serving 1M African smallholder farmersA conversation with Luni Libes, about the enormous opportunities of African food companies and on buying from smallholder famers and selling into the local regional markets. We also discuss why the traditional venture capital model doesn’t make any sense and a holding company does, plus why and how he wants to take the holding company public in a few years’ time.---------------------------------------------------Join our Gumroad community, discover the tiers and benefits on www.gumroad.com/investinginregenag. Support our work:Share itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/reg...
2023-01-1052 min
This Week in ImpactIntroducing The LIIST with Luni Libes and Zuleyma BebellRealize Impact’s Luni Libes and ImpactAlpha’s Zuleyma Bebell join Brian Walsh to discuss the LIIST, an exciting new sampling of impact funds and companies that, based on public or accessible information, seem to be in active fundraising mode.
The LIIST: https://impactalpha.com/the-brief-the-liist-of-open-impact-funds-evs-as-a-service-impact-tech-in-africa-federal-policy-for-community-solar/
Luni's podcasts: https://www.lunarmobiscuit.com/podcasts/
2022-08-0515 min
ImpactAlpha Podcasts[Briefing] Introducing The LIIST with Luni Libes and Zuleyma BebellRealize Impact’s Luni Libes and ImpactAlpha’s Zuleyma Bebell join Brian Walsh to discuss the LIIST, an exciting new sampling of impact funds and companies that, based on public or accessible information, seem to be in active fundraising mode.
The LIIST: https://impactalpha.com/the-brief-the-liist-of-open-impact-funds-evs-as-a-service-impact-tech-in-africa-federal-policy-for-community-solar/
Luni's podcasts: https://www.lunarmobiscuit.com/podcasts/
2022-08-0515 min
The Next StepPitching #12What makes for a pitch that ends with an investment? This week continues the slide-by-slide explanation of how to do just that.
Episode #12 is the final slide of content in the deck. The ask. And a bonus explaining the final slide too. But sorry, that isn't actually the end to your pitch deck nor the end to your work preparing this pitch.
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step/pitch
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod...
2021-10-2405 minThe Next StepPitching #11What makes for a pitch that ends with an investment? This week continues the slide-by-slide explanation of how to do just that.
Episode #11 has a great team, as it is the slide that showcases the team you've put together to make this business plan come true.
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step/pitch
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2021-10-1706 min
Wishes Granted--The Social Enterprise Fundraising PodcastAgriculture, Africa & 100x growth--with Luni Libes, founder of Africa Eats and Fledge AcceleratorLuni Libes, founder of Africa Eats, is a serial entrepreneur, or, actually, a Parallel Entrepreneur, currently running about 5 companies that help social enterprises. He started and sold several tech startups before moving into impact investing. Now he runs several Businesses that help other startups. For example, He runs the startup accelerator Fledge. He provides follow on investment through Africa Eats. He teachers investors how to invest at the Angel Sccelerator (a very important thing, btw. Angel investors need to learn how to invest just like entrepreneurs need to learn how to runa business). His has a community called Realize I...
2021-09-2958 min
Ted Teo Business ShowGrowing Impactful Companies with Luni LibesMichael “Luni” Libes is a serial entrepreneur who is also the Founder and Managing Director of Fledge, a startup accelerator that focuses on socially conscious, mission-driven, for-profit companies. Today, Fledge runs in multiple cities around the world, inviting in teams from anywhere doing most anything that makes the world a better place.On today’s episode, Luni shares about how he grows impactful companies, his work with Fledge and Africa Eats (which is formed by the graduates of the Fledge program), and why storytelling is such an important skill for any entrepreneur.Resources: https://lunar...
2021-09-2744 minTed Teo Business ShowGrowing Impactful Companies with Luni LibesMichael “Luni” Libes is a serial entrepreneur who is also the Founder and Managing Director of Fledge, a startup accelerator that focuses on socially conscious, mission-driven, for-profit companies. Today, Fledge runs in multiple cities around the world, inviting in teams from anywhere doing most anything that makes the world a better place.On today’s episode, Luni shares about how he grows impactful companies, his work with Fledge and Africa Eats (which is formed by the graduates of the Fledge program), and why storytelling is such an important skill for any entrepreneur.Resources: https://lunar...
2021-09-2744 min
Poetry of ImpactLuni Libes on Impact VCWith over 25 years experience in the start-up world, Luni Libes shares his passion for funding impact ventures. Emphasizing experience over intuition, Luni's success hinges on the patterns he's observed over the last 30 years and his ability to filter out start-ups that are likely to fail by pinpointing the holes in a given business model.
2020-10-0639 min
Mitchell Levy Presents AHA MomentsDave Lukas, Luni Libes, & Shontina Gladney on Thought Leader Life Credibility SpecialsGet to know these successful thought leaders and find out how they present themselves and their crafts as experts in their fields.Dave Lukas (http://aha.pub/DaveLukas) is an entrepreneur, author, investor, and the current vice president and CSO of Grasp Technologies, Inc. He is the founder and host of “Misfit Entrepreneur,” a weekly podcast giving insights from top entrepreneurs all over the world about their non-traditional methods for achieving success, which Dave uniquely calls their “Inner Misfit,” or the Misfit side. His other specialties are in business leadership, client relations, strategic planning, and projec...
2020-03-1927 minThe Next StepGuest #23 - Joseph Kadendula - Swahili HoneyThis week was recorded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania talking to Joseph Kadendula, founder and CEO of Swahili Honey (formerly known as Central Park Bees).
In this podcast, Joseph and I talk about the challenges that come from growth, from large, unexpected orders, and from building a complex logistics chain of hundreds of small farmers in Africa.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
See Joseph tell his original vision and watch a video update at fledge.co/fledgling/central-park-bees/
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
...
2019-09-1610 minThe Next StepGuest #22 - Elly (Elia) - East Africa FruitsThis week was recorded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania talking to Elly Timothy (a.k.a. Elia Timotheo), founder and CEO of East Africa Fruits.
In this podcast, Elly and I talk about focus, both finding focus by trimming the least profitable products as well as grabbing new opportunities when they arise, and satisfying customers in that process.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
See Elly tell his original vision and get a tour of the current production facility at fledge.co/fledgling/east-africa-fruits/
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next...
2019-09-0907 minThe Next StepGuest #21 - Matthew Benson - eFuseThis week is an interview Matthew Benson, co-founder and CEO of eFuse, the LinkedIn for E-Sports.
In this podcast, Matthew and I talk about the stage of startup right before launch, his journey to ELab in Europe, and what might happen post-launch.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Sign up for eFuse at https://efuse.io/
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-08-2611 minThe Next StepGuest #20 - David Giles - Santo De Piedra MezcalThis week is an interview David Giles, co-founder and head of Santo de Piedra Mezcal, a luxurious, high-end alcoholic spirit made by hand in Oaxaca, Mexico, sold around the world.
In this podcast, David and I talk about global logistics and cashflow, and how both take an attention to detail to keep a company growing.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
See David tell the backstory at http://fledge.co/fledgling/agua-piedra-mezcal/
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music...
2019-08-1912 minThe Next StepGuest #19 - Ben And Muralee - ZirconiaThis week is an interview Ben Cook and Muralee Balaguru, founders of Zirconia, an innovating material sciences company with a breakthrough for concrete, the world's the common building material.
In this podcast, Ben, Muralee and I talk briefly about simplifying a complicated message, but mostly we talk about why everything takes long than expected, even when you expect it to take longer.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod...
2019-08-1208 minThe Next StepDemo Day #7 - BriotechThere is a molecule that your body uses to fight infection and to promote healing. It's the same molecule used by your cat or dog, by every bird, fish, and insect. It's been around for hundreds of millions of years, 100 times more potent than bleach, but safe enough to spray in your eye, to breath as a fog, or to drink.
The molecule is HOCL, a.k.a. hypochlorous acid.
The problem has been that HOCL is unstable. It breaks down in your body seconds after its created by your white blood cells. The same happens when it's made bedside...
2019-07-1004 minThe Next StepDemo Day #6 - OreeggsThree years, 85,000 day-old chicks and 6 million eggs later, Oreeggs is on track to be the largest producer of consumable and hatched eggs in Eastern Uganda.
Eggs are the most affordable source of protein in this region that is fraught with protein malnutrition.
Oree Oscar Daniel, founder and CEO interprets chicken-talk and tells the story of Oreeggs in this short talk from the Fledge accelerator Demo Day.
Video and more details at fledge.co/fledgling/oreeggs
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube...
2019-07-0803 minThe Next StepDemo Day #5 - Kalahari HoneyBees make great fences to keep the wild elephants off of farmland, and there are more elephants in Botswana than any other country in Africa.
Kalahari Honey trains farmers in bee keeping, then collects, bottles, and packages that honey for sale in pharmacies and markets in Botswana, Lesotho, and Namibia.
Mavis Nduchwa, founder and CEO tells the story of Kalahari Honey in this short talk from the Fledge accelerator Demo Day.
Video and more details at fledge.co/fledgling/kalahari-honey
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of...
2019-07-0303 minThe Next StepDemo Day #4 - Bieera EnergyThe area around Lake Victoria in Africa is home to 100 million people, nearly all who live without access to electricity. This is a hilly region, with hundreds of year-round rivers and streams, and thousands of waterfalls.
Bieera Energy has been created by Kisii University to deploy off-the-shelf micro-hydro power plants to take advantage of the megawatts of untapped, clean, carbon-free energy to bring electricity to the region.
Video and more details at fledge.co/fledgling/bieera
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at...
2019-07-0104 minThe Next StepDemo Day #3 - Chicken BasketThe 10 million people living in Western Kenya consume 400,000 chickens per day. But they currently only grow 120,000 of those locally.
Chicken Basket was founded by Abisai Nandi to address this opportunity, working with hundreds of local Kenyan farmers, mostly women and youth, to meet the need for chickens in Kisumu, Kenya and the rest of Western Kenya.
Video and more details at fledge.co/fledgling/chicken-basket
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by...
2019-06-2603 minThe Next StepDemo Day #2 - Fuchsia ShoesWho made your shoes? What are they made of?
Fuchsia Shoes works with artisans in Pakistan, Nepal, and ultimately across South Asia to make beautiful, comfortable, unique shoes and accessories, and shares the stories of the makers with their customers.
Afshan Abbas, founder and CEO tells the story behind two of these artisans and the progress of Fuchsia Shoes in this short talk from the Fledge accelerator Demo Day.
Video and more details at fledge.co/fledgling/fuchsia
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next...
2019-06-2404 minThe Next StepDemo Day #1 - Fledge14This week is a recording of Demo Day from Fledge14, the conscious company accelerator in Seattle.
See demo-day.fledge.co for the video version of this event.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-06-1737 minThe Next StepGuest #18 - Mavis Nduchwa - Kalahari HoneyThis week is an interview Mavis Nduchwa, founder of Kalahari Honey.
In this podcast, May and I talk about the importance of focus, how you find focus, and sometimes how it finds you.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-06-1310 minThe Next StepGuest #17 - Elias Mabiria - Kisii UniversityThis week is an interview Elias Mabiria from Kisii University.
In this podcast, Elias and I talk compare the University of Washington and its 200+ person commercialization department with Kisii University, a 16,000-student public university in Western Kenya.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-06-1207 minThe Next StepPodcast #35 - The Financial Model HangupThe biggest hangup entrepreneurs face in The Next Step curriculum and in business planning in general is the financial model.
My lesson of "tell a story with numbers" doesn't always sink in, and in this podcast for all of you afraid of spreadsheets, afraid of numbers, or who need this lesson repeated in a different way I take another crack at teaching financial modeling .
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at http://lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step/financial-plan
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music...
2019-06-0309 minThe Next StepGuest #16 - Fred Whittlesey - Conscious CompensationThis week is an interview Fred Whittlesey, compensation consultant.
In this podcast, Fred and I talk about what decisions founders need to make when it comes to compensation, and what common mistakes are made by startups in dealing with employees around compensation.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-05-2709 minThe Next StepPodcast #34 - Visibility And BrandingThree weeks into Fledge14 (the fourteenth session of my conscious company accelerator) and just about everything we've done is invisible: business planning, financial modeling, learning the realities of funding, and dozens of meetings with mentors are in-progress.
What is visible are the three new company names, three new logos, and one refreshed logo. (Re)Branding is the most visible change we make with startups at Fledge, and the most visible aspect of any business plan.
In addition to this week's discussion of that process, you can see the results of this effort and historic efforts like it at https://www...
2019-05-2015 minThe Next StepGuest #15 - Cat Berman - CNoteThis week is an interview Cat Berman, founder/CEO of the 3-year-old fintech startup CNote.
In this podcast, Cat and I talk about a variety of common startup issues including: data-driven decisions, customer segments, customers you don't actually want, Reg A+ fundraising, and more.
You can find CNote at mycnote.com
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-05-1312 minThe Next StepPodcast #33 - Incorporation and Startup LawyersWhen do you need to incorporate? What do startup lawyers do beyond incorporation? What else do I need to know about startup law?
This week we return to business planning, this time answering the questions above, explaining the role of startup lawyers in incorporation, regulation, and risk.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
Watch the related video and read the related blog post at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-role-of-startup-lawyers/
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech...
2019-05-0609 minThe Next StepPodcast #32 - When did you start? and Complexity!When did you start your startup? When exactly is Day 1? How do you get from the simple startup you have now to the complex companies you see around you?
This week we talk about the fuzziness around when a startup gets started and the process of learnings that turn a simple startup business plan into a highly complex company. Along the way we'll ask the question of how Fledge14 is or isn't the fourteenth session of the namesake accelerator. TL;DR; it's complicated!
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
Read...
2019-04-2908 minThe Next StepGuest #14 - Jimmy Jia - Post Mortem #1This week is a discussion with special guest Jimmy Jia, founder of Distributed Energy Management, a startup that (like many do) unfortunately didn't make it.
In this podcast, Jimmy and I talk about what went wrong and how he decided to ultimately shut down his startup. That is never an easy decision. One that I had to make myself with my first startup decades ago.
See the DEM Demo Day story: http://fledge.co/fledgling/distributed-energy-management/
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at...
2019-04-2209 minThe Next StepStep #31 - Employee OwnershipWhat changes when employees own the business, rather than outsiders? How does that change the organization for the better? And how exactly do you set up a company where the owners are the employees?
Following on the last two weeks' rant about the true purpose of business, this week dives into the topic of how to organize an employee-owned company, and how that is one of the secrets to building a company that has a higher chance of success.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See some examples at start...
2019-04-1513 minThe Next StepStep Back #5 - Purpose #1 - The Purpose of BusinessBefore you create another company that the world considers a menace, let's take a step back and talk about the true purpose of business.
This week we continue the step back from business planning and talk about the purpose of business, about customers and employees, and everything else that goes into creating a company that people love.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
Watch the related video and read the related blog post at https://lunarmobiscuit.com/the-purpose-of-business-ignite-bainbridge/
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More...
2019-04-0311 minThe Next StepStep #30 - Time"To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time" and "If I had more time, I’d have written a shorter letter."
This week's advice is short, clear and concise, as should be all of your marketing copy, your sales pitch, your cold email, and everything you do. Spend the time to write the shorter letter, and more people will read it. Spend the time to hone your plan, and your odds of success go up.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
More details at...
2019-03-2804 minThe Next StepStep #29 - Brute ForceHow do you make progress on your startup without any funding or other big breaks? How do you find the thousands of potential customers you need to succeed? Brute force!
This week I share one of the small bits of advice posted on my blog, explaining how some tasks are best done the hard way, one by one by one. Long, often monotonous tasks that are no fun, but which move the company through a hurdle and which create the momentum startups often lack.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
...
2019-03-1808 minThe Next StepStep #28 - NetworkingHow do you meet the people you need to help you succeed? Networking!
This week I go off book and share a few secrets on how to meet people, how to meet even more people, and how to keep track of all those people you are meeting. Sounds simple, but networking is a skill that most entrepreneurs don't have and don't spend enough time honing and improving.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-03-1108 minThe Next StepGuest #13 - Victor and Byton of Ziweto AgrovetThis week comes from Lilongwe, Malawi with special guests Victor Mhango and Byton Simuela, co-founders of Ziweto Agrovet Shops, Malawi's now largest network of retail and wholesale products for keeping livestock healthy.
In this podcast, Victor and Byton explain the challenges that come from growing a company 8x in three years, and from operating a global importer, a distributor, and a national-scale business.
See the Ziweto shop in Lilongwe: https://youtu.be/aNZrqdrlCUg
The original Ziweto story: http://fledge.co/fledgling/ziweto-enterprise/
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the...
2019-03-0315 minThe Next StepStep #27 - Incubators and AcceleratorsFinishing up the topic of "The Realities of Funding", this week talks about incubators and accelerators. What are they? Are they worth your time? How do they work? What do they cost?
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-02-1610 minThe Next StepGuest #12 - Devin Thorpe of The Social Entrepreneur (continued)The tables have been turned on Devin Thorpe, who writes for Forbes.com and interviews social entrepreneurs and impact investors on yourmarkontheworld.com.
In this podcast, Devin and I talk move over to the topic of equity crowdfunding, i.e. raising money for a startup by selling shares to investors, specifically Reg CF and Reg A+ ,the two new ways for American companies to raise money from any American.
Links to Devin's work:
www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe
yourmarkontheworld.com/
www.devinthorpe.com/
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See...
2019-02-1210 minThe Next StepGuest #11 - Devin Thorpe of The Social EntrepreneurThis week we turn the tables on Devin Thorpe, who writes for Forbes.com and interviews social entrepreneurs and impact investors on yourmarkontheworld.com.
In this podcast, Devin and I talk about the challenges of getting your story told by a journalist, the modern business model of the press, and a bit more.
Links to Devin's work:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe
https://yourmarkontheworld.com/
https://www.devinthorpe.com/
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at...
2019-02-1115 minThe Next StepGuest #10 - Jonathan Rosenthal of Equal ExchangeThis week comes from day two at Start.coop where the guest speaker was Jonathan Rosenthal, co-founder of Equal Exchange, a $70M, Boston-based worker co-op that pioneered the idea of fair trade food.
In the podcast, Jonathan and I talk about why a worker co-op, how that works in practice, the pros and cons of that structure, and a host of other topics.
Equal Exchange- equalexchange.coop
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the books at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
...
2019-02-0516 minThe Next StepGuest #9 - Greg Brodsky of Start.coopThe world now has a business accelerator for cooperative companies, Start.coop. And it itself is a coop!
This week was recorded in Boston, on Day 2 of this ground-breaking program. Greg talks about how co-ops are misunderstood, how broad the can be, and how the program aims to fill the country (and someday the world) with cooperatively run companies.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Someday Greg will have a book on coops in lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the (un)cooperative startups at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod...
2019-02-0411 min
Ground Breaking Podcast#22 Michael "Luni" Libes, Founder and Managing Director, FledgeMichael Libes or “Luni” as he is more well known, is the Founder and Managing Director of Fledge. Luni is a US based serial entrepreneur, impact investor and an ecosystem builder. After watching graduates struggle to launch their mission-driven businesses, Luni founded Fledge, the Conscious Company accelerator. Each year Fledge runs a program with seven mission-driven, for-profit companies. Each company is focused on making an impact on some of the most pressing challenges around the world.If you enjoy this interview be sure to subscribe and share this podc...
2019-02-0300 minThe Next StepStep #26: The Realities of Funding (part 4)How do you raise money for your startup? What are the realities of startup fundraising?
This week's podcast continues the topic of Fundraising. It's a topic full of misunderstanding, frustration, and Catch-22s. In this final week, we'll talk about venture capital funds, venture-scale companies, and how venture capital works (or doesn't) for startups.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-01-2817 minThe Next StepStep #25: The Realities of Funding (part 3)How do you raise money for your startup? What are the realities of startup fundraising?
This week's podcast continues the topic of Fundraising. It's a topic full of misunderstanding, frustration, and Catch-22s. In this third week, we'll dive into Angel investors, why they invest, and how the process works to close an Angel investment.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-01-2116 minThe Next StepStep #24: The Realities of Funding (part 2)How do you raise money for your startup? What are the realities of startup fundraising?
This week's podcast continues the topic of Fundraising. It's a topic full of misunderstanding, frustration, and Catch-22s. In this second week, we'll start jump into where seed funding comes from.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-01-1411 minThe Next StepStep #23: The Realities of Funding (part 1)How do you raise money for your startup? What are the realities of startup fundraising?
This week's podcast begins the topic of Fundraising. It's a topic full of misunderstanding, frustration, and Catch-22s. In this first week, we'll start with the basics, explaining what funding is and where funding comes from.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2019-01-0709 minThe Next StepGuest #8 - Stacy Flynn of EvrnuContinuing the series of interviews, this week comes from Presidio Graduate School on Bainbridge Island, Washington (USA), talking with Stacy Flynn, co-founder/CEO of Evrnu (evrnu.com), which has a world-changing technology that can recycle used cotton clothing into better-than-new fiber.
In the podcast, Stacy and I talk about why it takes so long to bring a technology to market, why that is such a challenge process, and along the way why you need a strong network of support to help you through not only the downs but also the ups.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
...
2018-12-1114 minThe Next StepGuest #7 - Two fledglings: Brian And PeterThis week I'm in Nairobi, Kenya for The Land Accelerator (fledge.co/locations/land/) and the weekend before that had the opportunity to sit down with two of my fledglings (Fledge.co alumni).
Bryan Piti of Zijani - fledge.co/fledgling/zijani/
Peter Gatheru of Golden Cat - fledge.co/fledgling/golden-cat/
We discussed the lack of daily champagne and roses three or four years into building a startup, the various challenges at that stage, and the guys provide some advice on what you can do to make it as far as they have.
Post your questions to www.quora...
2018-12-0409 minThe Next StepGuest #6 - Sam BaumberThis bonus episode is the last interview recorded at Frontier Incubators, an accelerator for accelerators. frontierincubators.org. This time with one of my fellow teachers, Sam Baumber of the Social Enterprise Academy based in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
In the podcast, Sam and I talk about the "tribe" of socially conscious entrepreneurs, investors, and others. We talk about how the work we do is so transformational, and the challenges that even we have in figuring out which programs are worth it to entrepreneurs.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the...
2018-12-0307 minThe Next StepGuest #5 - Olivia Clark-MoffattThis bonus episode is another interview from Frontier Incubators, an accelerator for accelerators. frontierincubators.org. This time with one of my fellow teachers, Olivia Clark-Moffatt from The Difference Incubator in Australia, tdi.org.au.
In the podcast, Olivia and I talk TDi's work, about the challenges of first nations (and native) entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurial mindset, resources, and the most privileged of the unprivileged.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod...
2018-11-2712 minThe Next StepGuest #4 - Paul BasilThis week is the third of five interviews recorded at Frontier Incubators, an accelerator for accelerators. frontierincubators.org. This time with one of my fellow teachers, Paul Basil, founder villgro.org in India, Kenya, Vietnam and the Philippines.
In the podcast, Paul and I talk about the (unfortunate) oddity that in the world of socially conscious incubation and acceleration, competitors are openly teaching each other how to be better. We then dig into how we all help entrepreneurs, what they need, and why we are all doing what we can to help those entrepreneurs succeed.
Post your questions to www...
2018-11-2610 minThe Next StepGuest #3 - Kalsoom LakhaniThis bonus episode is another interview from Frontier Incubators, an accelerator for accelerators. frontierincubators.org. This time with one of my fellow teachers, Kalsoom Lakhani, founder of Invest to Innovate, invest2innovate.com in Pakistan.
In the podcast, Kalsoom and I talk about her work, about the persistence of entrepreneurs, the loneliness of entrepreneurs, and a bit about gender.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-11-2006 minThe Next StepGuest #2 - Celia and Amod at Frontier IncubatorsThis week is a conversation with two guests: Celia from SHE and Amod from One To Watch, who were both students at Frontier Incubators, an accelerator for accelerators. https://frontierincubators.org/
And yes, we're all aware how odd that sounds, but the point of the program is to improve the help provided to entrepreneurs, and that is all I do, and thus I had the pleasure of being one of the teachers.
In the podcast, Celia, Amod, and I talk about the challenges in helping entrepreneurs, and provide some advice to you on how to pick the right program to...
2018-11-1611 minThe Next StepStep Back #4: Incorporation and Founders SharesHow exactly do you create a corporation? What documentation do you need? Do you need to hire a lawyer?
This week we continue the step back from business planning and continue talking about corporations, this time diving into Articles of Incorporation and other documentation, and the common misunderstanding of founders shares and tax law.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-11-1214 minThe Next StepStep Back #3: IncorporationWhat exactly is a corporation? What do they do? When do you need one? Do I need to incorporate now?
This week we'll take a step back from business planning and talk about corporations, a bit of their history, and what powers they give you to do business.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-11-0509 minThe Next StepStep #22: Selling the first telephone, and your first saleHow exactly did Bell sell the first telephone? How do you make your first sale?
This week's podcast finishes the topic of Sales (for now), with the story of how Bell Telephone sold the first telephone, and how your first sale should be easier than that, but unlikely to be easy. I'll share a few tricks and tips that might make it easier.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
Read the related blog post at https://lunarmobiscuit.com/selling-the-first-telephone/
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
...
2018-10-3108 minThe Next StepStep #21: Designing your sales funnelSales is a complicated process. How do you organize your initial sales efforts, and create a plan that is actionable and which can be optimized using lean techniques?
This week's podcast continues the topic of Sales, defining the "sales funnel" and talking about the importance of understanding your company's sales funnel now, whether you already are making sales, have yet to close your first customer, or even if your product or service has no human salesperson.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at...
2018-10-2208 minThe Next StepStep #20: Everybody works for SalesContinuing our discussion of sales, a half-humorous, totally-true aphorism taught to me by a great salesman is "Everybody works for sales."
This week I'll explain why that is true, and why you should spread these meme into your startup.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-10-1505 minThe Next StepStep #19: Sales (part 1)Once you get up and running and up to some scale, every dollar that is used to run your business must come from a customer. From sales. For many first-time entrepreneurs, closing sales is a daunting process. Unlike market research, it's a process filled with "no" and negative feedback. Many people don't find it fun.
This week's podcast begins the topic of Sales, beginning the explanation of how to "close" customers, how to deal with all the no's, and how to use that feedback to improve the product and sales process.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
...
2018-10-0111 minThe Next StepStep #18: Messaging (part 2)What words should you use to talk about your company? How do you take your problem, solution, opportunity, competition, other market research, purple cows, etc. and turn that all into a description of what you do and how you do it?
This week's podcast continues the topic of Marketing and specifically Messaging, walking you through examples of how not to, and how to write the words that describe your company.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at...
2018-09-2409 minThe Next StepStep #17: Messaging (part 1)What words should you use to talk about your company? How do you take your problem, solution, opportunity, competition, other market research, purple cows, etc. and turn that all into a description of what you do and how you do it?
This week's podcast continues the topic of Marketing, pulling together all the pieces to create some simple sentences that "message" your company to your customers.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music...
2018-09-1712 minThe Next StepStep #16: Purple CowHow does your company stand out amongst all the marketing of every other startup and every other company? Be a purple cow.
This week's podcast continues the topic of Marketing, taking a page (or a whole book) from Seth Godin, who grabbed the nursery rhyme about purple cows and turned it into a simple-to-understand idea on how to be better marketer.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech...
2018-09-1010 minThe Next StepStep Back #2: The Next Step booksStarting a startup is complicated. It takes more than 10 minutes to learn and more than five books in a series to describe the step-by-step process.
Taking a step back this week, Luni explains why there is a whole series of books called The Next Step, what is included in all those words, and how best to teach entrepreneurs.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-09-0407 minThe Next StepStep #15: Building AwarenessThis week's podcast continues the topic of Marketing with two more steps: building awareness through content and three rules to help make your startup look real.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-08-2709 minThe Next StepStep #14: Naming your StartupThis week's podcast jumps into the topic of Marketing and begins with two steps: naming your company and beginning the process of making the world aware that the company exists.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-08-2014 minThe Next StepGuest #1: Partnerships & CoworkingSometimes the team you need to build is external through partnerships. This week I talk to Sarah Studer of Impact Hub Seattle about our various partnerships.
Plus every company needs a place to work, and Impact Hub Seattle is one of the oldest and largest coworking spaces in Seattle. Sarah explains the benefits of coworking.
Impact Hub Seattle, http://impacthubseattle.com/
Hubcast, https://open.spotify.com/show/1MttZiR8KO5pr3zq1ZE4js
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
...
2018-08-1308 minThe Next StepStep #13: TeamHow do you find a co-founder? How do you build your startup team?
This week's podcast answers those questions, along with other bits of advice when it comes to making the first handful of hires for your startup.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-08-0610 minThe Next StepStep #12: Penciling out (Part 2)Can your startup ever earn a profit? If so, when? If so, how much money will it take to reach that goal? Answers to these and other questions are the purpose behind building a financial model, a key component of a business plan.
This week's podcast continues walking you step-by-step through the a quick "back of the envelope" financial model, which in under an hour can tell you whether you are heading in the right direction or wasting your time.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of...
2018-07-3108 minThe Next StepStep #11: Does it Pencil?Can your startup ever earn a profit? If so, when? If so, how much money will it take to reach that goal? Answers to these and other questions are the purpose behind building a financial model, a key component of a business plan.
This week's podcast will walk you step-by-step through the a quick "back of the envelope" financial model, which in under an hour can tell you whether you are heading in the right direction or wasting your time.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of...
2018-07-2308 minThe Next StepStep Back #1: Plan?What is the point of a business plan? Can't I just launch an MVP and see what happens? In this first step back, the purpose of a business plan is explained... through the quintessential startup, a lemonade stand.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-07-1706 minThe Next StepStep #10: Winner Take AllAre you aiming for a market where winner takes all? Do you have a network effect? Do you know how Alex sold the first telephone? How Facebook grew to billions of customers? Or are all these questions unimportant?
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-07-0905 minThe Next StepStep #9: Your Secret SauceWhat makes your business unique? What is your "secret sauce?" Why is that important?
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-07-0307 minThe Next StepStep #8: CompetitionWho is your competition? Not just other companies providing similar solutions, but the deeper question of how your potential customers are solving the problem? Do they even know they have the problem? Do they care?
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-06-2507 minThe Next StepStep #7: Planning for FailureYour plan is wrong. Perhaps even flawed. Your job isn't to execute your plan, it's to discover its flaws, fix them, and then to realize that the plan is still wrong, still flawed, and still in need of iteration. That this is true of every business plan, not just yours.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-06-1810 minThe Next StepStep #6: Opportunity SizeIs this idea worth pursuing? Is the opportunity big enough to excite you for the next ten years? Is the market big enough to entice investors and employees and partners?
Step 6 will walk you through the process of computing the opportunity size, to answer all of the above questions and more.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-06-1108 minThe Next StepStep #5a: More MVP StoriesStep #5 was getting long, so this bonus episode contains a few more examples of MVPs (minimal viable products).
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-06-0404 minThe Next StepStep #5: Your Lean StartupA key lesson to learn as an entrepreneur is that your plan is wrong. When you fix the next flaw, it'll still be wrong. It'll always be wrong. Once you accept that truth, your odds of success go up, as only then can you make plans that expect failure, instead of making the common mistake of always expecting success.
That may sound harsh, if not crazy, but the path from idea to startup is in reality far more complex and crazy than the stories and movies.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit...
2018-06-0417 minThe Next StepStep #4: SkillsI have a theory... that to be a successful entrepreneur requires a wide variety of skills. That schools push people toward being specialists, when entrepreneurs need, in fact, to be generalists.
Are you good at Strategic & Tactical thinking? Do you have any Design talent? Any experience in Marketing or Sales? Are you proficient with spreadsheets and Finance? Have you ever done any Fundraising? Do you love to tinker, optimize, and work in Operations?
Download the Skills Map at lunarmobiscuit.com/skills and see where your skills are weak, and with that knowledge, which skills you need to improve.
Post your...
2018-05-2911 minThe Next StepStep #3: Why?Why do you want to start a startup? What are your goals? Are you doing this because the richest people in the world are entrepreneurs and you want to be one of them? Or are you doing this because you see a problem in the world that needs to be fixed?
Before you step down the startup path, its best to take a moment to understand yourself, your motivations, and fundamentally why it is you want to do this.
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The...
2018-05-2106 minThe Next StepStep #2: The customersWho has this problem you are solving? Do they know they have the problem? Do they care? Before you jump straight to building a solution, how well do you know your potential customers?
Post your questions to www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-05-1409 min
The Next StepStep #1: The problem and the solutionHow do you explain your idea to investors, customers, partners, and potential employees? Step one, Luni explains how to split your idea into a problem and the solution.
Post your questions to https://www.quora.com/profile/Luni-Libes
Read the book at https://lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at http://youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at https://lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-05-0708 min
The Next StepStep #0: Guiding you from idea to startupThe Next Step podcast will walk you step by step through the process from having an idea to launching and operating a startup. In this zeroeth episode, serial entrepreneur, author, instructor Luni Libes explains his long history of startups, why he wrote The Next Step, and why it is now a podcast.
Read the book at https://lunarmobiscuit.com/the-next-step
See the results of The Next Step at http://youtube.com/fledgellc
More advice at https://lunarmobiscuit.com/blog
Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com
2018-05-0702 min
CEO CoachImpact investor Luni Libes of Fledge.coGillian and Anne talk with Luni Libes, founder and Managing Director of Fledge, a global impact accelerator which launches businesses that do good by doing business, here in the US and in dozens of countries around the world (Fledge.co). Luni has moreover connected impact investors worldwide on investorflow.org, and authored the six book series “The Next Step for Entrepreneurs”. “Fledge is Techstars for companies with purpose,” says Luni. Fledglings apply to attend programs in Lima, Barcelona, Vancouver BC, and Seattle, with Lisbon and Padua slated additions next year. Listen to how applicants are selected, funded and mentored, as well as...
2017-11-2730 min
The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.Business Startup with Luni LibesSmall business start-ups with Luni Libes. Luni is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, investor, author, and educator. He shares his diverse background including the founding of several successful technology companies, and valuable insights on starting a business. Luni is the author of "The Next Step" series of books, and creator of the site lunarmobiscuit.com which aggregates his books, online classes, thoughts and advice. Henry Lopez is the host of this episode of The How of Business show – dedicated to helping you start, run and grow your small business. (TheHowOfBusiness.com)
2017-08-1452 min
The Law of StartupsEpisode #100 Luni LibesThis week we chat with Luni Libes about investorflow.org and impact investing in general.
2017-04-1300 min
Social Entrepreneur084, Luni Libes, Aviary | Venture Capital Seed Fund for Impact CompaniesAviary is a new venture capital seed fund, focused on mission-driven, for-profit conscious companies. It is run by Luni Libes. Luni was first a guest on Social Entrepreneur in episode 3. He is our first returning guest. The last time Luni was with us, it was to describe how Fledge, the conscious company accelerator, works. Fledge has graduated 52 companies from their accelerator. They have 7 more in the program right now. As part of our #MoneyMonday in May series, we talked to Luni about several topics: The challenge of finding early seed capital for impact entrepreneurs...
2016-05-1629 min
The Impact Investing PodcastMichael "Luni" Libes and his Blueprints for Building Accelerators and Funds for Social GoodThis Podcast is sponsored by Maine Startup and Create Week. This years conference is June 20th to 26th in Portand, ME and is going to be amazing! This year’s conference is focused on design and innovation. They’re bringing in some of the best minds to discuss and teach how entrepreneurs can use the skills that accompany great design and design thinking to help build better companies, products and solutions to the world's most pressing problems? Panels will cover topics ranging from a mixture of Biotech, Agricultural tech and innovation and environmental technology to health-care, disruption of the insu...
2016-04-2049 min