Entrepreneurs

“Given Brexit and Trump, We Now Need Entrepreneurs More Than Ever Before,” Says Innocent Drinks Co-founder Richard Reed

Innocent Drinks co-founder Richard Reed calls for entrepreneurs across the world to be strong amidst this ongoing political and economic chaos.

Speaking to entrepreneurs at a social enterprise event in London last night, titled ‘Make Society Great Again’, Reed said: “We are the best possible hope and chance the world has got.”

Reed was part of a panel of speakers giving a series of talks on the same day the Article 50 Bill was given a royal assent in the UK.

The ‘Make Society Great’ event, held at Impact Hub Westminster, was hosted by Scotch Whisky Chivas Regal as part of its Chivas Venture – a global search to find and support the next generation of startup.

Reed told the audience, which included 30 startups competing for a share of the Chivas Venture’s $1m fund, that Brexit is absolutely not going to stop entrepreneurs.

The Innocent Drinks co-founder, at the age of 26, left his job in advertising to set up smoothie and juice company in 1999 with his two best friends Adam Balon and Jon Wright.

They sold the company to Coca-Cola in 2013 then went on to set up a venture capital fund JamJar Investments, which supports businesses such as Deliveroo and Graze.

He said: “We’re going to need you entrepreneurs more now than ever before. Politicians don’t start businesses. It’s only entrepreneurs that ever start businesses, creating jobs, wealth and opportunities.”

Also speaking at the event, alongside the Innocent drinks co-founder, was Karen Lynch CEO of Belu Water, the UK’s most ethical water brand and environmental entrepreneur Kresse Wesling MBE.

The three speakers all agreed that the election of President Trump has shown that there are no rules anymore, and that the current climate should be seen by entrepreneurs as an opportunity.

Karen Lynch commented: “Social entrepreneurs exist because there are problems in the world. This is our opportunity – we can make a difference through business. Within the chaos, we are the ones who can move faster, innovate and break the rules.”

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