{"id":22168,"date":"2023-08-07T14:58:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-07T12:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.esmt.berlin\/voices\/?p=22168"},"modified":"2023-08-07T15:01:19","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T13:01:19","slug":"inclusive-entrepreneurship-alina-bassi-and-the-genesis-of-founderland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.esmt.berlin\/voices\/inclusive-entrepreneurship-alina-bassi-and-the-genesis-of-founderland\/","title":{"rendered":"Inclusive entrepreneurship: Alina Bassi and the genesis of Founderland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Tammi L. Coles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In episode 27 of Campus 10178, the ESMT Berlin podcast, I speak with Alina Bassi, co-founder and CEO of Kleiderly, and one of the entrepreneurial women behind Founderland. This groundbreaking non-profit organization, co-founded by Bassi, Deborah Choi, and Stephanie von Behr, caters specifically to women of color entrepreneurs across Europe. Our in-depth conversation provides a penetrating look into the unique challenges faced by these women, and the innovative, targeted solutions that Founderland has developed.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Alina<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The entrepreneurial landscape, as it currently stands, often presents women of color with unique barriers, including a lack of representation, limited access to funding, and an absence of a supportive community. The outcomes of these barriers can be detrimental to both the individuals facing them and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Without equal access to resources such as funding and networks, many women of color entrepreneurs struggle to scale their new businesses. When only a subset of the population \u2013 white, male, and well-off \u2013 can build successful businesses, wealth becomes concentrated in the hands of a grossly small few and economic inequality is perpetuated. Moreover, the products and services developed can reflect a narrow set of experiences and needs, resulting in market gaps and missed opportunities for businesses that could serve a broader range of consumers. Worse, the cycle of underrepresentation is perpetuated in each subsequent generation, because lacking examples of successful entrepreneurs who look like them can discourage young women of color from embarking on their own ventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is, when diverse groups are not represented in entrepreneurship, society misses out on a broad range of innovative ideas that could address various challenges and improve quality of life for all citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing this gap, Alina Bassi, Deborah Choi, and Stephanie von Behr came together to launch Founderland<\/a>. Through Founderland, they have created a platform that not only acknowledges the unique challenges faced by these entrepreneurs but also provides innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bassi\u2019s experiences as a migrant entrepreneur in Berlin encapsulate many of the struggles faced by women of color in the entrepreneurial realm. In the interview, she discusses her encounters with isolation, the difficulties of striking a cultural balance, and the challenges of building a business in a new environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n