3 From Corporate to Intrapreneurship
In this entrepreneurial environment, we quickly realized that we were different from other start-ups. As employees of the company, we were funded by it, setting us apart from founders who often left the corporate world with a severance package and found themselves unemployed with only two years to succeed. Our team of four women, consisting of two engineers and two legal professionals, without prior entrepreneurial experience, attracted the curiosity of other start-uppers.
However, we had a significant advantage that everyone envied: our network. Our two legal friends had established relationships with numerous law firms, and our new American lawyer friend was well-connected in the global legal world. As engineers, Paola and I were also able to find the best experts in artificial intelligence through our technical expertise. We were well-equipped to navigate this new world.
We embarked on this adventure, leaving the world of Defense behind to immerse ourselves in the supportive atmosphere of entrepreneurship.
It was through interacting with these entrepreneurs that I managed to erase the word “failure” from my vocabulary. In my thirty-year career in banking, I had never encountered young individuals who spoke so openly about their first, second, or third failures, all while possessing the same conviction as Nelson Mandela, “I never lose, either I win or I learn.” I quickly learned to appreciate this humility that gives the strength to persevere despite obstacles.
Lucidity does not hinder hope.
Another quality that I greatly appreciated in this environment was the simplicity and kindness that prevailed. Informality was often the norm, hierarchy mattered less, and neckties took a back seat. The common goal was collective success, as each individual had a crucial role to play. These elements were somewhat lost in the world of large corporations where I had previously worked.
After nine months, it was decided by mutual agreement that Theolex would become independent, with the bank becoming our first client. Thus, we embarked on the journey into the world of legaltech, ready to tackle new challenges and bring innovative solutions to the legal field.
The transition from the bank to founding a startup was a true upheaval for me, but I quickly discovered a new passion and a surge of energy that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
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