Sandbox: Nico Luchsinger

About The Company:

Sandbox started in 2008 and is now the foremost global community of extraordinary young achievers below 30. We identify exceptional people worldwide that already have an impressive impact at a very young age, no matter in what field or industry.

About Nico Luchsinger

Nico has a Masters degree in medieval history, economics and political science from theUniversity of Zurich, Switzerland. He worked eight years for Switzerland’s leading quality newspaper «Neue Zürcher Zeitung», and currently writes as a freelancer for several publications about the effects of digital technology on society. Before founding Sandbox, Nico has helped build a student marketing department for a recruiting agency, founded an event management company and organized numerous big student parties. He also worked for Greenpeace, did research on risk communication, and ran a bar on a boat.

Q&A With Nico

Why are you an entrepreneur?

When I was in high school, I volunteered as the managing editor of our school paper. In my senior year, I sued the school district for refusing to let us publish an issue about sex, and won. That was a turning point for me, as it showed me that systems can be broken. Two years ago, I co-founded The Future Project to further disrupt the education system. TFP has since grown into a 21-person organization in three states.

What can a fellow learn from you?

My greatest inspiration comes from the founding fathers and particularly Ben Franklin. I have a leadership style that is eccentric, bold, human, and focused on making the impossible possible.

What Will Your Fellow Be Exposed To?

The fellows will be exposed to a variety of areas, including:

Community Management: Sandbox’ most important activity, and very different from what is currently understood by this term. Sandbox community management includes interacting with some of the smartest and most ambitious people from all over the world on a daily basis, understanding their needs, and helping them get connected.
Communication and Media: A big part of Sandbox’ work is telling the world about all the great things our members do, through our own channels as well as through media outreach.
Partnerships: Sandbox partners with many organizations and companies; and all these partnerships need managing.
Event planning: Sandbox holds big and small events all over the world, and fellows will be involved in planning, organization and support.

What do you expect out of a fellow?

What I’d expect from any entrepreneur, aspiring or accomplished: Being a fast learner; asking many questions and being critical; thinking strategically and seeing the big picture, but also being ok with doing menial work if necessary. Don’t behave like an employee – instead be part of the family.

What makes your startup unique?

Sandbox doesn’t sell a product or a service – we build and manage a global community of extraordinary young people. All of these people are unique, and have tremendous potential to change the world. Our mission is to bring them together, have them learn from each other, and help them having a bigger impact.

Any Links To/ About Your Company?

This update to our community (published a few months ago) gives a good intro to what Sandbox does.

You may also want to check out our Playbook, and these videos from our Transamerica Expedition in 2011 and our Global Summit in Lisbon last year.