Sharism and Venture Capital
Sharism and Venture Capital
Sharism and Venture Capital explores the intersection between the philosophical principles of sharism and the operational mechanics of venture capital. It proposes a transformation of traditional VC models into more inclusive, distributed, and socially impactful systems of investment.
The Problem with Traditional Venture Capital
Traditional venture capital has historically focused on:
- High-growth, high-return investments
- Scalable business models, often tech-driven
- Market domination and winner-takes-all dynamics
- Rapid exits through IPOs or acquisitions
While this model has created global champions, it has also:
- Reinforced monopolies
- Concentrated wealth among a few
- Ignored slower-paced or locally grounded ventures
- Operated on a survival-of-the-fittest logic, often cutting support for projects that fail to meet aggressive ROI targets
The Sharist VC Alternative
A Sharist Venture Capital model reimagines investment as a form of empowered collaboration, where the purpose is not just financial return but also:
- Building sustainable, resilient ecosystems
- Supporting diverse scales of enterprise
- Enabling glocal (global + local) integration
- Promoting federated, meta-enterprises that retain autonomy yet act in synergy
Key Principles
- Access over ownership – invest in shared infrastructure and platforms
- Support over selection – enable projects to evolve rather than gambling on few ‘winners’
- Long-term impact – focus on economic durability, social inclusion, and cultural value
- Territorial integration – adapt to the rhythms, needs, and strengths of each community
Strategic Focus Areas
Sharist VC prioritizes investments in areas that are often underserved by traditional finance:
- Artisan and craft-based industries
- Remote and rural business communities
- Circular economy and sustainability projects
- Phygital businesses blending online and offline presence
- Cross-sector, glocal networks
The Role of Meta-Enterprise
Instead of centralizing power, Sharist VC promotes the creation of meta-enterprises: networks of independent businesses that share tools, data, knowledge, and brand identity. These structures allow for:
- Resilience against market shocks
- Scalable collaboration without homogenization
- A new hybrid between entrepreneurship and corporate synergy
Sharist VC in Practice
Sharist-inspired VCs act more like strategic angels:
- Providing capital, mentoring, and access to platforms
- Encouraging shared growth, not isolated success
- Fostering elasticity and cultural adaptability within business models
By aligning venture capital with the ethics and logic of sharism, it is possible to unlock a new wave of investment—one that values cooperation, territorial vitality, and human-centered innovation. This rebalanced approach offers not only financial sustainability but also a more equitable and regenerative future.
