Entrepreneurship Journey: From Corporate Social Responsibility to Founding Handprint Tech, a Platform Connecting Companies and Impactful Organizations

Meet Simon, an assistant professor at Singapore Management University and co-founder of Handprint Tech, a nature tech platform connecting companies to impactful organizations worldwide.

1. Entrepreneurship doesn't require a specific degree, but having one can help develop grit and persistence.
2. Simon, co-founder of Handprint Tech, is an assistant professor at Singapore Management University and has a background in commercial engineering and corporate social responsibility.
3. He chose to pursue a second master's degree in CSR despite being told it wouldn't be profitable, showing determination to work in the sustainability space.
4. Simon initially planned to stay in Academia after his PhD but had to finish it in 3 months when his supervisor left for Singapore.
5. He moved to Singapore as a postdoc and later became a professor, focusing on companies' reasons for engaging in CSR.
6. Handprint Tech's goal is to make it valuable for companies to do good in the world by showing them the business benefits, such as gaining loyal customers or reducing customer acquisition costs.
7. Simon met Maas, his future co-founder, in Singapore years before they started Handprint Tech together in December 2019.
8. The company was initially named "The Green Company" but was later changed to Handprint Tech, symbolizing positive impact as opposed to a footprint's negative effects.
9. Having a .tech domain helps establish Handprint Tech as a tech company, making it more attractive to potential clients and partners.
10. Collaboration in academia is different from building a startup team; academics need to adapt to working with diverse people based on trust rather than similar backgrounds and experiences.
11. Handprint Tech has faced various challenges, including overhiring, long sales cycles, and the complexity of developing high-quality software.
12. Simon learned that user research, getting letters of intent from customers, and having a clear product roadmap are crucial before starting to build a product.
13. It's important to have a small, vocal minority of people who care deeply about making a positive impact on the world.
14. Educators and clients need to demonstrate that sustainability can benefit individuals, communities, and the world at large.
15. Companies must be sustainable in the long run to ensure their own survival and contribute to a more environmentally friendly economy.
16. Handprint Tech aims to win the Nobel Prize for Peace, which would be an unusual achievement for a company.
17. The company focuses on mangrove restoration projects in Southeast Asia, where corruption and economic concerns often overshadow environmental goals.
18. Climate scientists warn of extinction-level events if the economy isn't changed to become more environmentally sustainable.
19. Handprint Tech emphasizes the importance of showing people that they can make a difference through small, meaningful changes in their daily lives.
20. Entrepreneurship requires accepting disagreements among founders, dealing with them constructively, and moving forward together.
21. Long-term thinking is essential for entrepreneurs, as sales cycles and product development can take years.
22. Non-technical founders must learn to communicate effectively with their technical teams and understand the costs and time involved in developing high-quality software.
23. Handprint Tech's story demonstrates the challenges of building a successful company, including overcoming setbacks, adapting to new situations, and learning from mistakes.
24. Simon's personal and professional journey highlights the importance of persistence, determination, and continuous learning in entrepreneurship and academia.

Source: EO via YouTube

❓ What do you think? What are the most significant challenges you have faced in building Handprint Tech, and how have you adapted to overcome them? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!