But HOW do we build an impact ecosystem?

 So 2 months later... 

The Startup Madeira Retreat finished this past week. So what happened and where are we now?

Looking back over the previous post, it almost feels like we're at the same place... The vision hasn't changed and we're still trying to figure out our MVP and a business model. But as I'm reflecting on the past 2 months, I realise the following has happened:

• Applying a bunch of tools and frameworks to our idea to further define (and refine) it
• Identifying "experiments" for our MVP
• Getting a lot of feedback from mentors
• Organising "Green Beers" meet ups for folks interested in sustainability
• Meeting with a bunch of stakeholders in, or interested in, the impact space in Madeira
• Focusing on making one of these experiments a success for now (Impact Fest in Tursi)
• Creating content and a landing page to communicate and attract interested people
• Refining our pitch and how we communicate it
• Pitching our vision at the demo day
• Each of us (from the team) trying to juggle other jobs whilst progressing this
• Two members of the team dropping out
• Frustrations, disappointments, but also camaraderie, support, and excitement

Ultimately, what I learned is that there's enough interest in our idea in Madeira (and abroad) and people want to see it happen.

But now what?

With only 2 weeks left of physically being on this island, I'm slightly panicking about what I need to do to ensure the momentum keeps going and that hopefully something successful comes out of this! I've met a bunch of incredible people, each who I could see contributing to this impact ecosystem, but in a country where a lot of relationships develop better when face to face, how do I keep them all connected in order to turn Madeira into an impact destination?

I think the next step is to further build the community around this. We've started doing this already, whether through the "Impact Collective / Remote" team, the "Impact Meet Ups", "Connection Impact Madeira" and "Green Beers" WhatsApp groups and respective events, but perhaps the next step is a bit more of a structured community with set objectives, so people are aligned with the mission, get more value from it, and know how to contribute.

This is overwhelming me. Where do I start? (Yes, I've been Googling "How to build communities") How do I get people bought into the idea? Do people even want this? Is this enough? Will anything come from this? What should I be doing in the next 2 weeks while in Madeira to make the most of this? What if it fails or nothing happens?

Also, what would be helpful for this community platform to have (assuming it's going to be online, at least partially)? How will it be valuable to people? Perhaps by outlining the ideal user journey for someone who's trying to create impact in a remote location, whether as an individual or business, I can link to the necessary and helpful resources to do so. We can create content. People can post questions and responses, creating more connections...

Gotta try though, right? Maybe I'll have some chats with people about this idea and see what they think...

Would love to hear your thoughts ;)