OUR CREDO
Sapien, a Latin word meaning "one who knows". We founded SapienVentures on a simple belief that the most valuable companies of our time will be the ones solving humanity’s biggest problems. Our purpose is to support the world positive entrepreneurs, founders 'who knows' and committed to building these disruptive solutions. Together we can reimagine huge sectors of the global economy in ways that move the planet forward.
We place great emphasize on people and values. We hold ourselves and our companies to the highest ethical and moral standards. We select for, and cultivate, values-based leadership across our entire portfolio.
We practice humility by reminding ourselves we’re not perfect and we will make mistakes. We practice audacity by taking bold risks and investing in companies that we wish existed. We use our operating experience to help define the big vision and sweat the little details.
Ultimately, we see profit and purpose as a virtuous circle. In the right combination they form a flywheel that will deliver enormous financial returns while transforming capitalism in a world positive way.
HOW WE WORK
Our focus and mission: assisting entrepreneurs
We assist great entrepreneurs determined to build companies with lasting significance.
Knowing and doing what it takes to foster winners
We are in the company-building business, not the “deal” or “capital” business. We have a history of leveraging relationships to build teams, attract partners and customers and then–together–build billion dollar businesses.We are active partners who do everything we can for our companies and have not forgotten how to hustle. We get our hands dirty.
Strategic advice, creative ideas
We opine on and sometimes help refine business plans. We love working together to turn something good into something great. Are we working to protect against the worst that can happen? Are we leveraging the upside? Are we planning for assets as well as liabilities? When good isn’t good enough, we help you think outside the box, and we help you change the rules. Every business goes through pivotal moments – cave on a term or lose a customer, cancel the product line or keep it in market, make a key hiring decision. We have made most of these mistakes before. Now, we can help or find someone in our portfolio who can help you think through what to do.
A direct, straightforward style
We prefer brutal honesty to hypocritical politeness. We seldom vote against management teams in our board roles, but we can have strong opinions. We will challenge you without confronting you. Once we pick a management team, we back it and don’t second-guess it. We are less about sweet talk and more about helping you build a business. We are definitely not about controlling ownership in your business.
