We started the NAKED podcast because we wanted to draw attention to the subject of mental wellbeing for entrepreneurs and to share authentic, real stories of founders who ‘have been there’. At the same time, we must acknowledge that the reasons why entrepreneurs experience mental health challenges are still largely unaddressed.

• Is it all about startup life just being harder than a normal job?
• Who is contributing to this?
• What are they doing about it? Are they even aware?

Continuing our conversations with investors, in this episode we are talking to Lisa Mikkelsen, Head of Global Human Capital at Flourish Ventures. Lisa shares how the Fund’s partners lead by example: honesty and vulnerability are key. They start early by trying to understand the leadership team of a business they invest in. Building a relationship of trust is paramount.

We discuss the following questions:

• How do you manage the delicate balance between investors and startup?
• What is the power dynamic there?
• How do more junior team members of the Fund come into this with the right mindset?
• What support do the heads of people at VCs need?