Why we started Sacred Startups?

Setup

In March 2022, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of neurodivergence that often leaves individuals struggling to fit into systems never designed for them—yet also grants remarkable gifts when properly understood. Receiving this diagnosis in my 40s meant confronting deeply ingrained thought patterns and reshaping my life with a mix of philosophy, psychology, art, science, spirituality, and complete surrender. So, I took a sabbatical, diving headfirst into a journey that spanned modern science, psychedelic therapy, plant medicine, love, yoga, Tantra, Sufism, Christianity, and entrepreneurship—my lifelong domain. Through this, I reinforced my view that entrepreneurship is far more than just a vehicle for monetization or impact—it’s a powerful tool to challenge paradigms, spark new conversations, and shift collective consciousness. While the world celebrates startups for their ability to scale industries, their real power lies in pioneering ideas that redefine how we see ourselves, our purpose, and the very fabric of human experience. Thus, a vision emerged—entrepreneurship focused on enriching the human inner world.

Vision

For over two decades, I played multiple roles in entrepreneurship—building a farming business, shaping ecosystems, executing impact strategies, creating brands, organizing large-scale movements, guiding corporations on intrapreneurship, helping venture capital funds position themselves, and even launching ventures in Europe. Then COVID changed everything, leaving me with a single, unsettling question: What now? I knew I still wanted to contribute to society, but I had no idea how. One day, as I sat by the river Ganges, a thought struck me—You’ve spent your life working on human consumption, convenience, conservation, and impact. Can you take everything you’ve learned and apply it to human consciousness? By then, I had already spent time researching the global movements, innovations, and breakthroughs shaping the consciousness space. That moment clarified my path: to merge my entrepreneurial experience with the emerging frontier of consciousness—a shift from external impact to inner transformation.

Validation

The evolution of the internet’s entrepreneurial waves is clear: the first, led by the U.S., focused on consumption and convenience; the second, refined in Europe, emphasized conservation and impact. Now, a third wave is emerging—one centered on human consciousness. To explore this shift, I traveled across four continents. Immersed myself in diverse cultures, ancient philosophy, spirituality, and the science of the inner world in India. Coming from a colonial past, understanding Europe’s history, art, and psychology was essential—revealing how passion and product merge, shaped by philosophy, art, and culture. Meanwhile, the U.S. has mastered modern entrepreneurship through ingenuity, risk-taking, and innovation. If we are truly moving toward an era of expanded human consciousness, startups will be a key tool in shaping this transformation. By integrating ancient wisdom, modern science, and entrepreneurship, we have a great opportunity to build a parallel economy—one that nurtures and sustains the global frontline workers of the soul, fostering self-realization as the next frontier of human progress.

Plan of Action

Through this project, we are seeding a conversation—mapping and sharing stories of research, innovation, and the bold entrepreneurs and investors who are pioneering the development of an economy for human consciousness. Though still a micro-economy, it is one worth recognizing. Our mission is to spotlight this movement, highlight the challenges it faces, and tell the stories that bring it to life—ultimately helping to organize the capital needed to shape its future.

Welcome to the conversation. A conversation about recognizing the need and the rising wave of making the human inner world a richer place.

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