The Human Work of Entrepreneurship: Ian Calvert on Building with Impact (Futher)

MASHSTARTUP

This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to build ventures that last — and why starting with the human being behind the idea is the most powerful form of entrepreneurship. Ian Calvert, co-founder of FURTHER and former Global Project Leader at Red Bull Amaphiko, joins us to explore why personal growth, resilience, and purpose should come before traction, funding, or scale.

For nearly a decade, Ian and the FURTHER team have been reshaping how we support entrepreneurs in South Africa. Rather than treating founders like pitch decks with legs, they invest in the person — helping them develop the mindset, networks, and inner capacity needed to create sustainable businesses that make real impact.

We unpack:

• Why building humans first leads to stronger businesses and stronger communities

• How FURTHER’s unique approach blends storytelling, wellbeing, and performance coaching

• The launch of THE GREENHOUSE, a bold partnership with the Nedbank Foundation to grow South Africa’s next generation of green economy innovators

• What social enterprises like Kusini Water teach us about scaling impact sustainably

• Why the future of entrepreneurship requires more focus on purpose, less on hype

💡 This episode is a call to rethink how we nurture South Africa’s next generation of builders — and a reminder that if we want lasting impact, we have to start with the people creating it.