On an unusually cool and rainy Friday, December 5th, in Mexico City, Red e App was selected as an Endeavor entrepreneur in the 62nd International Selection Panel (ISP). Wow.
Sounds a bit simple in writing. Fly down to Mexico City and accept recognition that your company is to be selected as a high impact organization, with global appeal and prospects – but alas it is not so
simple.
Endeavor (website | Wikipedia) is focused on emerging market entrepreneurs and organizations that with proper access and network can scale (or “go big” as they put it) and give back to the Endeavor Eco-system.
Coming from Louisville, Kentucky in what is not quite considered to be the hot bed for global enterprise software – really even tech for that matter – I understand the need for an eco-system or peer network, as well as the importance of cultivating and supporting creative spirit, ideas and execution.
However, when first introduced to the Endeavor process I felt it was simply too good to be true and another half hearted and inexperienced effort to build an eco-system. An “effort” with poor resources, and while good intentioned, perhaps a bit misguided or not fully understood attempt to create jobs, value and ultimately wealth in our region.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
A blue chip board of local leaders was quickly established with strong guidelines and covenants to jump start the new Endeavor Louisville office. We were quickly dunked into a process that would last more than six months culminating last week in Mexico City. A process which forced my team to dig deep into our structure, financials, model, planning, risk and opportunity . . . over and over and over again.
Mentor interviews were fast and furious in the Endeavor process, and included big brand names and extremely accomplished business leaders from all sectors of business both domestic and international.
As we made our way through the process, various levels of detail about our business, once quite foggy and scribbled on white boards and often erased and rethought, were crystallizing. The conversations
were getting stronger and the critics tougher.
What could have been the pinnacle moment for us in presenting to business icons that make up the Louisville Endeavor board, was yet another stepping stone.
We needed a unanimous vote from the Louisville Endeavor Board to move on to the ISP process. We made it, and moved to the next level.
Red e App is a team of amazing individuals all uniquely suited to conquer and master any obstacle. It was Patrick Goodman (Chief Product, Security and walking Encyclopedia Officer) and my honor to represent their effort in Mexico City on November 30th to attend the 62nd Endeavor ISP.
We attended an investor network the first part of the week and the ISP in the second part of the week. Meeting after meeting, pitch after pitch, and Tequila after Tequila, we powered through the week.
We met investors, mentors, entrepreneurs and companies from all over the world – Dubai, Morroco, Bulgaria, Australia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil – and of course our hosts from Mexico. I now proudly consider this strong group to be colleagues, peers and friends.
Companies like Bain, Qualcomm, Ernst and Young (just to name a few) were all in attendance. Listening, learning, coaching and advising entrepreneurs throughout the week. By Thursday, panels were in place and interviews began in earnest. The 6+ month long process was unfolding in front of us.
Questions were fired from all angles, and Patrick and I were ready. Affirmation after affirmation of what we have accomplished over the past several years was being shared by yet more titans of industry. With each interview, there was a bit of a sigh of relief as we were expertly prepared and confident in our path and vision of connecting the more than 2.1 billion unconnected workers on the planet.
The thrill of this ride has not subsided as I write this on the plane home. Red e App was selected as an Endeavor company and granted access to this powerful, excitable, passionate, and creative network
dedicated to dreams and support of others in their journey.
We are prioritizing our next steps to execute our plan with the support of Endeavor – to Go Big, Scale Up and Give Back!
Thanks to my friends, Board, investors and team members for making this journey possible. For we all understand: “To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” –Winston S. Churchill
B red e!
Coverage:
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Red e App executives named Endeavor Entrepreneurs (The Lane Report)
