How can you turn a single person’s vision into a fully-fledged, volunteer-powered startup with dozens (or even hundreds) of contributors - without big budgets, but with strong shared purpose? And how do you do it especially when your mission is social rather than commercial? In this talk, I’ll share practical strategies, tools, and leadership principles for building, organising, and scaling volunteer-driven organisations from 0→1 and beyond. Drawing on 15+ years as a founder - including creating The Climate App (a global climate-action movement), 8Billionminds (a global free-education platform), and leading a NASA deep-space mission - I’ll break down how to attract, motivate, and coordinate large volunteer teams; how to structure groups to build software and communities simultaneously; and how to maintain engagement while preventing burnout. You’ll leave with actionable insights, specific tools, and hard-won tactics that can save you years of trial, error, and stress. We’ll also explore how to fund early-stage, mission-driven projects through crowdfunding, community mobilisation, and values-aligned investment. If you’re trying to build something big with limited resources, this talk gives you the blueprint to turn a vision into a thriving movement.
My name is Samuel Naef. I’m an entrepreneur of 15 years, and physicist (BSc Physics; MSc Space Studies) who spent years at Airbus and NASA, leading a deep-space mission. I shifted from aspiring astronaut to building communities and social-impact ventures. I founded The Climate App, a movement making climate action easy, fun, and social and 8Billionminds, a global free live-learning platform. I’ve grown projects from ‘just me and an idea’ to organisations powered by hundreds of volunteers worldwide.
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Meet us this June 20 to 30, 2026 at Bansko Nomad Fest. Get your tickets now!
My name is Samuel Naef. I’m an entrepreneur of 15 years, and physicist (BSc Physics; MSc Space Studies) who spent years at Airbus and NASA, leading a deep-space mission. I shifted from aspiring astronaut to building communities and social-impact ventures. I founded The Climate App, a movement making climate action easy, fun, and social and 8Billionminds, a global free live-learning platform. I’ve grown projects from ‘just me and an idea’ to organisations powered by hundreds of volunteers worldwide.
Let's Connect!
Meet us this June 20 to 30, 2026 at Bansko Nomad Fest. Get your tickets now!