🎙️ Innotion Conversation: Mental Health, Ethics, and Impact Investing — Insights from Daria Reutovich

In this episode of Innotion Conversation, host Ricardo Pascual speaks with Daria Reutovich, venture capital investor and advocate for mental health in the startup world, about her journey from Belarus to the Netherlands and her mission to drive ethical, impactful investing.

They dive into:

• Daria’s cultural transition and how work mentalities differ between Eastern Europe and the Netherlands.
• The importance of balancing mental health with business success in the startup ecosystem.
• Why understanding the motivations behind entrepreneurship matters for founders and investors.
• How ethical considerations — especially the source of funding — are shaping the future of venture capital.
• Daria’s investment focus on mental health, education, and ethical AI to drive positive global impact.
• The need for a supportive ecosystem that fosters diversity, well-being, and sustainability alongside profit.

Daria offers deep insights for founders, investors, and anyone interested in building businesses with both purpose and profitability.

Brought to you by Startup Summit 2025 — Europe’s leading startup and investor summit, happening September 18–19, 2025, in Lisbon.

🎟️ Learn more and secure your spot at www.startupsummit.io

🕒 Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to Daria Reutovich and Her Journey 03:17 — Cultural Transition: From Belarus to the Netherlands 06:00 — Work Mentality: Eastern Europe vs. Dutch Culture 09:08 — Impact Investing: Merging Profit with Purpose 12:06 — Mental Health in Startups: A New Approach 15:12 — Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Founders 18:02 — Navigating Challenges: Balancing Business and Well-being 21:10 — Diversity in Startups: Supporting Underrepresented Founders 23:59 — Motivations Behind Entrepreneurship: A Deep Dive 27:09 — Ethics in Venture Capital: The Source of Funding 29:53 — Investment Focus: Key Verticals and Future Trends

💡 Key Takeaways

• Mental health must be a priority in the entrepreneurial journey.
• Cultural differences shape how founders approach work and success.
• Impact investing aligns financial return with meaningful social change.
• Ethical sourcing of venture capital is increasingly critical for investors and startups.
• Diversity and inclusion strengthen the startup ecosystem.
• Future investment trends include mental health tech, education, and ethical AI solutions.
• A founder’s motivation deeply impacts their long-term resilience and company culture.