Adeo Ressi, Chairman of the Founder Institute and CEO of VC Lab, discusses various topics in the Techquanimity Podcast. He explains the concept of equanimity and its combination of balance and calm with technology and well-being practices. Ressi also talks about social impact initiatives, such as the Founder Institutes for Progress initiative, which aimed to launch companies in different cities, including Afghanistan. He mentions the importance of tracking progress in initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and introduces Four Progress, an initiative that turns the SDGs into measurable metrics for startups. Ressi emphasizes the need for strong ethics in the venture capital industry and introduces the Menserius Oath, which aims to improve the ethics of the industry. He further discusses the potential of ethical investing and the importance of prioritizing wellness in entrepreneurship. Ressi emphasizes the significance of maintaining a balanced mindset and avoiding negativity when making decisions. He also discusses the use of tools and technology to improve well-being and addresses internal issues to create positive change externally. Overall, Ressi believes in aligning technology with individual well-being and sees a movement towards a more balanced approach.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Cynthia Phelps and Mark Montalban introduce the Techquanimity podcast and explain their shared interest in mindfulness and technology. They also discuss their partnership and the concept of equanimity, which combines balance and calm with technology and well-being practices. Then, they introduce their guest, Adeo Ressi, the Chairman of the Founder Institute and CEO of VC Lab. They discuss Ressi's social impact initiatives, particularly the Founder Institutes for Progress initiative, which aimed to launch companies in various cities around the world, including Afghanistan. While these companies provided convenience, Ressi acknowledges that they may not necessarily address larger global issues like climate change or inequality.
• 00:05:00 In this section, Adeo Ressi discusses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN and how they have been translated into measurable metrics for startups to achieve. He explains that the SDGs are considered the minimum requirements for the survival of humanity for the next 50 years, not a benchmark of greatness. Through an initiative called Four Progress, Ressi and his team have turned each of the 17 SDGs and their 169 sub-goals into measurable metrics that startups can work towards, allowing them to make a positive impact. He also emphasizes the importance of tracking progress and shares an example of how his company, Desol Group, tracks the participation of females in the venture industry as one of their key performance indicators. Overall, Ressi believes that Four Progress is a work in progress but an excellent initiative for those looking to make a positive impact and measure their efforts.
• 00:10:00 In this section, Adeo Ressi discusses how information about the SDGs and the FourProgress initiative is publicly available for any startup to access. He also introduces the concept of the Menserius Oath, which is aimed at improving the ethics of the venture capital industry. Ressi highlights that the venture capital industry is generally considered unethical, with many practitioners engaging in unethical practices for years. He cites examples of the industry funding unethical businesses that harm humanity, such as stealing data, manipulating and influencing people for profit. Ressi argues that if the practitioners funding these businesses are unethical, then the funded projects are likely to be unethical as well. The Menserius Oath seeks to address these ethical concerns and encourage entrepreneurs to align their businesses with positive values.
• 00:15:00 In this section, Adeo Ressi discusses the need for strong ethics in the venture capital industry and how he and his team have taken inspiration from the Hippocratic Oath to create the "mensarius oath." This oath is the foundation of their work and they only collaborate with individuals who agree to abide by its principles. The mensarius oath emphasizes the importance of not only doing good for oneself and the people being financed but also for the broader community. They enforce this oath strictly, and anyone who violates its principles is removed from their network and programs. By creating this ethical ring fence, they have created a safe space for venture capital and have already made a significant impact, with roughly half of all new firms in 2022 and around 10 percent of all operating firms worldwide being part of their network.
• 00:20:00 In this section, Adeo Ressi discusses the importance of ethical investing and the potential for ethical firms to outperform their non-ethical counterparts. Ressi believes that ethical firms can provide a competitive edge, leading to two to five times better performance, both financially and in terms of societal impact. He emphasizes that now is the best time for aspiring entrepreneurs to start companies that make a positive difference in the world, as there is more capital available than ever before. Ressi also introduces VC Lab, a training program that accelerates individuals' entry into the venture capital industry. The program aims to cut years off the learning path and place participants in VC firms that align with their values and goals. Additionally, he discusses the VC Lab accelerator, which helps individuals launch their own venture capital firms in a four-month program, enabling them to start investing within an average of 5.7 months.
• 00:25:00 In this section, Adeo Ressi discusses the importance of prioritizing wellness in the entrepreneurial world. He explains that at his organization, Founder Institute and VC Lab, they strive to create an environment where employees are not overwhelmed and at risk of burning out. They check in with each other regularly and try to alleviate workloads or delegate tasks to prevent burnout. Ressi emphasizes the need to hire highly specialized individuals who are passionate about their work and also enjoy it, but are not at risk of getting overwhelmed. He acknowledges that it is an ongoing journey to maintain work-life balance and avoid burnout, especially in a fast-growing startup environment.
• 00:30:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the challenges of managing a growing team and the importance of maintaining a healthy work environment. They mention that one of their groups, FundOps, is currently overloaded, and they are working on hiring more people and implementing automation to alleviate the burden. The speaker emphasizes the need to create a balance between rapid growth and avoiding burnout. They also talk about the constant issues and problems that come with entrepreneurship, and how they try to stay even-keeled and solution-oriented. The speaker acknowledges the responsibility of making difficult decisions and seeks input from relevant individuals before making final calls. They highlight the importance of speed in decision-making and iterate the idea that making more decisions quickly increases the likelihood of getting more things right.
• 00:35:00 In this section, Adeo Ressi discusses the importance of maintaining a balanced mindset and avoiding negativity in order to make sound decisions. He explains that he lives a relatively secluded life, only going out once or twice a week, and prioritizes activities like walks and exercise to stay balanced. Ressi believes that carrying shards of negativity from the outside world can impact decision making, so he strives to stay in an even keel mental state. He mentions using a bow and arrow as a form of technology to bring himself back into alignment, symbolized by splitting arrows. Additionally, he occasionally draws Osho cards to help improve his mood and mindset, emphasizing the significance of being in the right frame of mind when making decisions.
• 00:40:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the use of tools and technology as a means of improving well-being and mindfulness. While the speaker personally finds comfort in archery and taking walks in nature, he acknowledges that there are various approaches and no right way to go about it. He emphasizes that the problems we face externally are a reflection of the problems we face internally, and by addressing and solving those inner issues, we can create a positive impact in the world. The speaker shares his own experience of solving personal issues and creating boundaries in his organization, which has allowed him to avoid common problems in the venture context. Ultimately, the use of tools and mindfulness practices can help individuals improve their own well-being and positively influence the world around them.
• 00:45:00 In this section, Adeo Ressi discusses the importance of addressing internal issues to manifest positive change externally. He shares personal examples, such as his frustration with the excessive use of plastic at the farmer's market. While acknowledging that not everything can be controlled internally, he emphasizes the ability to influence external outcomes as well. Ressi highlights the ongoing journey of self-improvement and the need to continually identify areas for change. He encourages individuals to start their own journeys and utilize whatever tools and techniques work for them. Moving on to the intersection of well-being and technology, Ressi notes that the space is still in its early stages but progressing in the right direction. He mentions the growth of events like the Wisdom 2.0 conference and the emergence of funds focused on well-being. Overall, Ressi sees a movement towards finding more balance and aligning technology with individual well-being.
• 00:50:00 In this section, Adeo Ressi discusses how technology is being used to address mental health issues from both medical and social angles. He mentions the emergence of various entrepreneurial ventures and funds funding Precision Neuroscience and other innovative solutions. Ressi highlights a specific fund that aims to tackle "laziness," not in the sense of being lazy, but by identifying tasks that are needlessly difficult and finding ways to make them easier. He emphasizes the importance of addressing internal struggles that manifest as external hardships, and how changing one's mindset can lead to a more positive and transformative journey. Ressi also acknowledges the diverse range of initiatives, including the use of substances like ketamine and the development of apps, aimed at helping people with mental health issues. However, he notes that true change begins with a desire to change and a willingness to change one's mindset.
• 00:55:00 In this section, the guest discusses the importance of mindset in entrepreneurship and reaching equanimity. He emphasizes the need to change one's perspective and align it with the desired reality. By letting go of frustration and anger and embracing the possibility of change, one can start manifesting a different outcome. The host also shares how he uses Solitaire as a tool for self-assessment and calming himself down. The conversation then transitions to the guest's company, Inner Ally, which helps people practice self-compassion through creating internal language using cards and characters. The company's approach is based on research conducted at Stanford.