INTRO
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CREDIT: Courtesy photo
ALT: Close-up of Diane Hessan (Courtesy of Diane Hessan)
They were inspired by others, driven by the desire to do something that matters or prompted to take action and seize opportunities.
Diane Hessan
In my previous job there was a moment when all people got their payout. And I remember an old leader walking around and giving everyone checks, saying “thank you” and talking about the difference they had made for the world. And I wanted to have a similar moment — to do something that really would make a difference and change the life of people and their families.
Diane Hessan is founder and head of Communispace, an online market-research firm.
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Payout (n): A large sum of money given to someone/something such as an organization or company.
-The amount of research needed for the product is great. However, the potential payout could be substantial if the technology succeeds.
1:
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Credit: Courtesy photo
Alt: Burak Cagatay and Emre Ergun seated at table (Courtesy of Emre Ergun)
Emre Ergun
At Babson College I met a student entrepreneur from India who produces biomass pellets for the European market. He said it was expensive to ship this product from India and asked me to look at a possibility of producing pellets in Turkey. That’s how I came upon this business. I started it with my partner, Burak Cagatay.
Emre Ergun (right) co-founded Atiken Renewables, which produces biomass pellets in Turkey.
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Biomass pellets (n): A type of fuel shaped in small cylinders and used for heating, made from wood and agricultural sources.
- Our company produces biomass pellets, which are sold in Europe. These small pieces — or pellets — can be used for heating. Instead of traditional wood pellets, we produce biomass pellets made from certain types of grass.
2:
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ALT: Close-up of Jon Grall (Courtesy of Jon Grall)
Jon Grall
I felt that I wouldn't have a chance at being truly happy in my career until I tried to start something on my own. I had worked for great companies, and yet I had felt like something was missing. Part of it was wanting to be my own boss and to have more creative control. And part was a desire for adventure and excitement! I also wanted to do something that matters. I'm still chasing that goal.
Jon Grall is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur with expertise in consumer Web and mobile technologies. He started SimplyListed and GetJustLanded.
3.
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ALT: Close-up of Ewa Wojkowska (Courtesy of Ewa Wojkowska)
Ewa Wojkowska
I don't think one ever plans to become an entrepreneur — it is a result of continuous attempts to do things better. But looking back, I believe I always had had ideas to do things differently. Kopernik is the result of my belief that development assistance can be much more tangible and effective.
Ewa Wojkowska is a co-founder of Kopernik, a nonprofit enterprise that facilitates distribution of simple, inexpensive technologies in the developing world.
4.
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ALT: Close-up of Tomer Dvir (Courtesy of Tomer Dvir)
Tomer Dvir
I became an entrepreneur because I wanted to take action to fix the things that bothered me, not just complain about them. Becoming an entrepreneur has given me the power to create change; not only to improve my own PC experience, but to improve the experience of hundreds of millions of PC users the world over.
Tomer Dvir is a co-founder and chief executive of Soluto, an Israel-based software developer.
5.
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Credit: Courtesy photo
ALT: Donald Wihardja in small crowd (Courtesy of Donald Wihardja)
Donald Wihardja
I believe the right time for defining the landscape of Indonesia’s technology future is now. I see it as a one-time opportunity. However, my bosses at a private equity firm I had worked for didn’t share my vision. So I left the job and I struck out on my own because I am not about to miss the boat.
Donald Wihardja, right, co-founded Indomog, an online payment company.