Hedvig Alexander // Co-Founder of Powered by People - Wholesale + Dropship made Sustainable + Backend Technology for Millions Global Artisans

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In episode 214 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, I speak with Hedvig Alexander, Co-Founder of Powered by People, on bridging the gap between artisans and global buyers through modern technology and tools.

Hedvig, the co-founder of Powered by People, shares her journey from being a Danish army captain to becoming an entrepreneur. She discusses how her passion for social change and her background in the military and non-profit sector led her to start her first business, Far and Wide. However, she realized that the business had limitations and decided to start Powered by People with her co-founders.

Powered by People is a marketplace that connects buyers in Europe and North America with artisans and makers in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The platform not only facilitates the matchmaking process but also offers financing and resources to help makers become export-ready. Hedvig emphasizes the importance of cultivating a long tail of makers to ensure a unique and attractive supply.

She also highlights the role of philanthropy in supporting the training and development of makers, as venture capital is not suited for that purpose. Powered by People is focused on creating a sustainable and unique supply chain by connecting makers from around the world with buyers.

They aim to bridge the gap between the philanthropic and venture capital worlds by creating a hybrid financing model. This model allows for both venture backers and philanthropists to support the business and achieve their respective goals.

The key to making this model work is providing information and understanding to both sides, making them comfortable with each other and leveraging each other's strengths. The maker community is creating handmade, high-quality products with contemporary designs that are being bought by retailers like West Elm and the Smithsonian Institute.

Powered by People aims to scale the business, attract more buyers and makers, and become the default sourcing option for sustainable and unique supply. They also want to build out their technology to make it easier for makers to get online and grow their businesses.

Takeaways

• Hedvig's journey from being a Danish army captain to becoming an entrepreneur was driven by her passion for social change and her desire to create responsible, impactful businesses.
• Powered by People is a marketplace that connects buyers in Europe and North America with artisans and makers in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
• The platform not only facilitates the matchmaking process but also offers financing and resources to help makers become export-ready.
• Cultivating a long tail of makers is crucial for ensuring a unique and attractive supply on the platform.
• Philanthropy plays a vital role in supporting the training and development of makers, as venture capital is not suited for that purpose. Powered by People connects makers with buyers to create a sustainable and unique supply chain.
• Their hybrid financing model bridges the gap between venture capital and philanthropy.
• Information and understanding are key to making the hybrid financing model work.
• The maker community is creating handmade, high-quality products with contemporary designs.
• Powered by People aims to scale the business and become the default sourcing option for sustainable and unique supply.

Sound Bites

"Powered by People is this amazing sort of network you and your co-founders have built, sprinkling sort of technology on artisans around the world to sort of build this wholesale supply marketplace for retailers, for entrepreneurs building sort of marketplaces."
"Find some great people, co-founders and do this."
"It's a marketplace. It connects buyers, you know, in Europe and North America who wants more sustainable and more unique supply."
"The key to making this model work is information on both sides."
"People have so much more in common than what separates them."
"Language can be the divider, but the outcome is often the same."

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