Alexander Gunkel
Social Entrepreneur using Space Tech for Good
“Don’t fall in love with the solution, fall in love with the problem.”
Meet Alex
- Alex has founded three separate startups over the course of his career, and is currently the Managing Director of Space4Good, an organisation using space technology to drive social and environmental impact, across areas such as conservation and biodiversity, peace and justice, and climate change.
- He also has over a decade of experience mentoring early-stage impact startups, and is passionate about preparing the next generation of changemakers to amplify their voices and maximise their impact.
- Alex’s experience has taught him that technology can be a potent tool for young entrepreneurs, but should never be the starting point of a venture. “Don’t fall in love with the solution, fall in love with the problem. One problem may have 99 solutions, but one solution may not have a problem,” he adds.
Sector
Impact-Driven Entrepreneurship
- Alex initially worked as a project manager at the European Space Agency (ESA), but quickly realised that he would rather develop and commercialise new technologies instead of administering the process of it. His experience creating his first two startups, still left him seeking more, eventually pushing him to found Space4Good in 2017, which he initially ran as a pro bono venture in his free time.
- Yet, as Space4Good grew, “it was getting harder to run several companies at the same time.” While he knew that choosing to devote his full attention to Space4Good, a venture prioritising impact over profit, was the riskiest choice, Alex went with his heart and took the risk. “I haven’t regretted this choice since,” he adds. Years later, Space4Good has grown into a sustainable impact-driven business, developed projects across the globe, and is developing into a product and platform company.
- Alex emphasises the importance of having networks of likeminded individuals and organisations he could tap into when growing Space4Good – whether at the Humanity Hub, or startup incubators. “Impact-driven work is not that easy when you’re isolated,” he explains. “Having an ecosystem to support you is crucial.”
What’s in the Sector’s Future?
- “I’m not happy about the geopolitical climate. I think there’s much more hate circulating instead of hope. Fear instead of support. It echoes into the sustainability ecosystem,” Alex explains. At the same time, he’s “very hopeful about the next generation of changemakers” and the development of the sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- Speaking about the global rapid developments in innovation, Alex identifies “a democratisation of technology,” with more people than ever having access to the internet, artificial intelligence, geospatial data, and more. He believes that this can make it easier for young entrepreneurs to use technology to their advantage, come up with new ways to innovate, and have an impact.
- Alex also believes that more attention is now being paid to startups and their potential to drive change. “The needs of startup are more understood,” he continues, and “there is a much bigger impact investment scene compared to ten years ago, especially in Europe.”
Skills
Want to find out how Alex landed the job he’s currently in?
- “Tell me your superpower.” This is the first question Alex asks when interviewing someone before they join Space4Good. He goes on to explain that for him, a good social entrepreneur should both have the skillset and knowledge required to tackle a problem, but also a strong passion for a particular cause. “I’m privileged to be the most boring person in my team,”
- Alex jokes when explaining the different causes his peers devote their time to. “Maybe you’ll never be a specialist in the newest technology, but after a certain point entrepreneurship is no longer about technical requirements,” he explains. “It’s about developing a learning mindset, a growth mindset, and an analytical problem-solving mindset.”
- When asked about the biggest challenge a social entrepreneur will face, Alex says it’s “knowing when to pivot” when an idea is no longer working. He reiterates, “don’t fall in love with the solution,” but the problem you want to solve.
- Alex also shares that becoming an entrepreneur is “like a mini-MBA,” as one will inevitably have to pick up several new skills along the way: from communications to fundraising, and from budgeting to networking.
Advice & Tips
- One of Alex’s top pieces of advice for young social entrepreneurs is to find a network or ecosystem to support them in their ventures. He credits much of his success to his experience at startup incubators, or communities like The Hague Humanity Hub, and urges young changemakers not to isolate themselves. Such ecosystems can give them “access to talent, finance, connections, knowledge” and can keep them motivated.
- Similarly, he believes entrepreneurs can be more successful if they have a reliable co-founder, rather than working on their own. “You can openly share your professional, financial, and personal challenges” with an individual as committed to your purpose as you are. At the same time, having a co-founder will help you attract funding, as impact-investors are reluctant to fund solopreneurs. “If you have two or three co-founders, your work will continue even if one drops out.”
- “If you’re young, you can still take risks. You don’t have a mortgage to pay off or a family to look after.” Alex urges youth not to be afraid of taking business risks early on in their careers, when they experience greater flexibility.
Alex also advises young entrepreneurs to be prepared for success to “take longer than you expect. It is not going to take five years of your lifetime,” he explains. Success requires long-term commitment. - When asked how a social entrepreneur can balance impact and profit, ensuring they have food on the table without losing sight of their mission, Alex says “you must establish checks and balances in your working culture at the beginning. This balance must be your driver from day one.”
-
Curriculum Vitae
Space4Good, Founder & Managing Director, [2017-present]
RoadEO, Founder, [2017-present]
YES!Delft, Mentor @ ValidationLab, [2015-present]
Google, Mentor @ Google Launchpad Amsterdam Programme, [2015-present]
Startupbootcamp, Mentor, [2014-present]
Skytree, Co-Founder, [2013-present]
Innoleaps, Lean Innovation Coach, [2017-2019]
European Space Agency, Young Graduate Trainee, [2012-2013]
VDMA, Business Intern for Innovation Management, Technical & Environmental Affairs, [2010]
Innovation Factory, Erasmus Programme for Young Entrepreneurs, [2010]
Connection to the Hub
As one of the Hub’s earliest members, you can often find Alex working at the Space4Good offices within our Campus in The Hague, having a meeting in our co-working areas, or having lunch with colleagues at our Cafe. He has shared his insights as a featured member in the Humans of the Hub series, and as a speaker in The Handshake.