How International Experience Shapes Successful Entrepreneurs and Investors

International experience shapes entrepreneurs and investors by building adaptability, cultural intelligence, and strategic perspective, enabling better decision-making, stronger networks, and the ability to support ambitious founders across diverse markets and ecosystems.

Why Global Experience Matters in Entrepreneurship and Investing

Entrepreneurship and investment increasingly operate across borders.

This episode explores how living and working internationally helps leaders better understand markets, people, and risk—key ingredients for long-term success in fast-changing environments.

A Career Built Across Borders

We welcome Fatou Diagne, whose international career has taken her across multiple countries and cultures.

These global experiences shaped her worldview and ultimately led her to Zurich, where she is now based.

From Global Exposure to Investment Leadership

Today, Fatou is Managing Partner of Bootstrap Europe, a firm dedicated to supporting and funding ambitious entrepreneurs.

Her international background informs how she:

• Evaluates founders and opportunities
• Understands cross-border challenges
• Supports entrepreneurs navigating multiple ecosystems

Global exposure strengthens investment judgment.

Cultural Intelligence as a Strategic Advantage

Working across countries develops cultural intelligence.

This allows entrepreneurs and investors to:

• Communicate effectively across cultures
• Adapt leadership styles to different contexts
• Anticipate market-specific challenges
• Build trust in diverse environments

Cultural awareness becomes a competitive edge.

Learning From Diverse Ecosystems

International careers expose professionals to different entrepreneurial ecosystems, each with unique strengths and constraints.

These contrasts help leaders:

• Challenge assumptions
• Transfer best practices between regions
• Identify opportunities others may overlook

Perspective grows through comparison.