Presumed Abundance |
Apr 20, 2010 |
It was the name of a ‘ground-breaking new angel investor fund’ - Presumed Abundance - which prompted me to keep reading this social entrepreneurship blog posting the other day. As I continued reading, I had that weird experience where my eyes moved over the words and my mind drew immediate parallels to something else:
“The next generation of innovation is being driven by the changing relationship between founders and seed investors…” (My translation: The next generation of innovation is being driven by the changing relationship between Christian ministries and champions.) With their new Presumed Abundance fund, a team of creative angels are trying to draw investors and entrepreneurs closer than ever and make them true collaborators for disruptive change.” (My translation: With their new transformational giving approach to fundraising, practicing ministries are trying to draw staff and champions closer than ever and make them true collaborators for radical Kingdom impact.)
As I read further, I had a growing appreciation for secular investors Kim Scheinberg and Rafe Furst as they are unknowingly practicing discipleship – and elements of transformational giving – better than many Christian ministries I know:
‘They couldn't escape the feeling that rather than presuming scarcity and creating a situation in which entrepreneurs and investors hoard pieces of the company to themselves, those groups should presume abundance and figure out what it meant to work together for real.’
1. Did you notice that Transformational Giving Principle #2 is the anchor? Also, they see wisdom in entrepreneurs and investors (or champions and staff?) working together as allies rather than adversaries. That’s a huge shift – from safeguarding the projects and profits of investors (or ministry staff?) to drawing in other entrepreneurs (or champions?) not only to do work alongside them but also to receive coaching so they too could achieve their dreams and make a difference in the world.
“Kim and Rafe are betting that entrepreneurs -- particularly the world-changing social venture types they're interested in -- are interested not only in their companies but in how they can unleash the entrepreneurial talent of others to solve problems and make the world a better place.”
2. Do you notice the thread of Transformational Giving Principle #4? Kim and Rafe see that entrepreneurs care about the cause and making a difference. They’re modeling how to coach entrepreneurs to replicate themselves once successful – to make other owners of the cause. Sounds a lot to me like coaching along PEO.
Finally, read this excerpt of a conversation between an entrepreneur and investor from the fund’s home page:
‘You decide how much equity I get. Then, when there comes a day that that equity has value, here's what we'll do: the two of us will find new people to invest in. You can sit with me on this side of the table, and together we'll use that money to facilitate other people's dreams. How does that sound? Would you like to be angel investor yourself someday? Would you like to be my partner?"’
2. They’re modeling our TG mantra: Discipleship not dollars. Their focus is growing people rather than just growing a business (or ministry).
Imagine the possibilities - the abundance - if only more Christian ministries would embrace the fund’s tagline when working with champions: See a future together. Negotiate as allies. Presume abundance.
