What’s a guiding principle that informs the way you build and run your business?
One of our core values at Cozero is radical candor. It is the idea that the willingness to repeatedly enter uncomfortable situations to speak the truth benefits everyone in the long run. We believe that in order to grow and improve as an organization, we need to create an environment where our team is not afraid to challenge processes and decisions. Making this a core value guides us in difficult situations when it’s not clear which road to take.
What's the biggest insight you've learned in the last few years?
I’ve realized that a surprising number of companies don’t think about sustainability strategically. It remains an operational task for many. We discovered that without a strategic alignment, sustainability efforts are likely to face resistance and fail to achieve meaningful impact. To master the sustainability transformation successfully, companies need to start viewing sustainability performance as essential to economic success and ensuring environmental strategies are practical, realistic, and aligned with business goals.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
Before founding Cozero, I worked at an early-stage venture capital fund. Working with a social startup supporting local coffee farmers and their families sparked my interest in impact-driven ventures. Seeing the growing need to align sustainability with financial goals made me realize the potential of using accounting principles for carbon management, and pushed me to start Cozero with my cofounders Fabian and Tiago.
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Here’s More, From Other Founders Around the World
When times are tough, who or what is an anchor for you?
My co-founders are my anchor in work-related topics. Having an environment where failure is welcomed with a helping hand and where weakness is valued as openness, once you are down those people will drag you up.
What's a mistake that you're happy you've made?
When I was 16 (way before the internet) I founded a travel-partner agency to connect people from different backgrounds seeking travel companions. After a year, I had to close the agency due to a lack of customers and the confusion some callers had regarding the nature of the “service.” Despite this setback, I gained invaluable insights into sales, communication and people’s needs, solidifying my desire to run a business that helps people.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
After graduating, I worked for an extremely well-paying automotive company. But I always had the feeling that there was more out there. So I quit and went into research with the aim of becoming a founder.
What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?
There are no overnight miracles, it's very hard work: both physically and emotionally. Requires resilience, grit, strategic approach and grind.