In the Esade Doers podcast series, led by eWorks manager Davide Rovera, entrepreneurs from the eWorks Community share their startup experiences, learnings, sources of inspiration, and tips with fellow entrepreneurs. In a recent episode, Joscha Raue, an Esade graduate and cofounder of Think-it, a software engineering collective, discussed his journey and the mission of his company.

>> Check the full interview here: https://dobetter.esade.edu/en/raue-whole-trend-towards-sustainability-not-straightforward

Think-it is a global software engineering collective focused on unlocking human potential through the sustainable use of technology, with a particular emphasis on North Africa. The company closely collaborates with high-growth startups and corporate teams to build cloud data infrastructure and AI solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future. Additionally, Think-it invests in digital talent across the African continent, fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech community and providing job and growth opportunities.

During the podcast, Joscha Raue shared his personal journey as an entrepreneur. He initially did not see himself as an entrepreneur although he started an event-organizing company at the age of 17 to finance his studies. Later, he became involved in Enactus, a student initiative supporting social missions with an entrepreneurial approach. He explains that through these experiences he began to envision a future in the startup industry. When he applied to Esade for a Master's degree in management, the recruiter recognized his entrepreneurial potential and recommended the entrepreneurship program, which ultimately set him on a different path.

While at Esade, Raue's entrepreneurial spirit continued to grow. However, he did not immediately start a company after university. Instead, he explains that he planned to work in the technology sector and eventually leverage his privileges and opportunities to address larger societal and environmental problems. It was during his last semester at Esade, while participating in CEMS, that his co-founder approached him with an idea that required entrepreneurial input. They decided to start Think-it as a venture project during the summer of 2017, and it has since grown into a successful company.

The podcast delved into the funding journey of Think-it. Initially, the company relied on two innovation grants to finance its early stages. Although the grants provided limited funding, Think-it generated revenues from the start through learning programs and initial projects. Raue and his co-founders also invested their own money to cover living expenses. In October-November 2018, Think-it closed its first financing round with six business angels and an accelerator program. Over time, the company secured additional financing, totaling €400,000, and reinvested over €3 million in revenues to support its growth.

Regarding the company's model, Think-it operates as an engineering collective or technology consulting company for cloud and AI solutions. It connects tech talent from Northern African countries with contracting companies primarily located in Europe or North America. The company initially focused on validating key hypotheses, such as attracting and developing talented individuals, earning customer trust, and ensuring client satisfaction. Through a combination of offline and online recruitment strategies, Think-it identified highly skilled engineers and established its initial cohort. The company also leveraged personal networks to attract contracting companies.

One challenge Think-it faced was convincing companies to embrace remote work and hire talent from different continents. To build trust, the company offered a two-month trial period, during which clients could assess the effectiveness of the remote collaboration. By delivering quality results and building a reputation over the years, Think-it overcame initial scepticism. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in accelerating the acceptance of remote work, further supporting Think-it's business model.

Fast forward to the present, Think-it has experienced significant growth and profitability. With a team of over 55 employees spread across different locations, the company continues to expand. Raue emphasizes the importance of sustainable and healthy growth, ensuring it aligns with the company's culture and values.

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