Living

Changing the way we learn with Christopher Pommerening

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Sharon MiloneJuly 30, 2024

If I can take my purpose inspired journey, and I create learning experiences around that passion or purpose, then I will create for sure emotions about every aspect of the learning journey.
Christopher Pommerening

Christopher Pommerening, Co-Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer at LearnLife, shares his vision for the education industry in this interview. He fills us in on LearnLife's paradigm of purpose-inspired learning, what it was like in the early days of the company and how he reconnects with joy when things are hard.


Interview Summary

1:15

Redefining learning based on purpose

Christopher discusses the concept of purpose-inspired learning, which integrates personal interests and talents with educational experiences, to create emotionally engaging and lasting learning outcomes. He discusses how this approach contrasts with traditional education systems and emphasizes the importance of recognition beyond monetary compensation in professional settings.

7:42

Building the world’s most innovative school

Inspired by the need for a profound change in global education systems, Christopher discusses his vision for LearnLife as a lighthouse for educators worldwide to transition from traditional school curriculum to dynamic learning hubs.

9:41

Challenging the venture capital mindset

Examining the traditional goals of venture capital, Christopher advocates for a shift towards value creation that genuinely enhances lives rather than focusing solely on financial valuations. He emphasizes the need for entrepreneurial efforts to be meaningful and aligned with creating positive societal impacts.

14:43

The role of unlearning in entrepreneurial success

Christopher examines the concept of unlearning, highlighting its significance in breaking away from outdated practices and mindsets that hinder innovation. He shares how unlearning has been integral in educational models at LearnLife, better preparing learners for the challenges of the future.

19:51

Early challenges and triumphs a LearnLife

Reflecting on the early days at LearnLife, Christopher shares the initial skepticism he faced and how perseverance and a strong belief in the transformative power of their educational model helped overcome these challenges.

He recounts the moment when families began entrusting their children to LearnLife, exploring the company’s journey from concept to reality, and the joy derived from seeing learners thrive in a new educational setting.

25:54

Entrepreneurs are advice-immune

Rather than close with advice, Christopher shares an experience that describes the importance of experiential learning and personal discovery, in regard to entrepreneurship.

Meet Christopher

Christopher Pommerening is an entrepreneur and learning visionary on a journey in which he has evolved from an internet entrepreneur and venture capitalist, into a conscious positive impact entrepreneur on a mission to positively transform education worldwide as the transversal solution for all environmental, social and economic challenges.

Christopher is the Founder and Mindset Shifter of Learnlife. He has engaged a worldwide team of more than 1,000 learning innovators and thought leaders to build and activate Human-Centred Learning ecosystems. His positive impact goal is to inspire 100 million learners, 5 million educators and 100,000 school leaders to experience the new framework for learning that is suited to the rapid and evolving changes in our VUCA world by 2030. Learnlife launched the first LearnHubs in Barcelona and is currently in the process of implementing LearnHubs in many different education institutions around the world.

Christopher has founded 10 companies and organisations and invested in more than 30 start-ups. He started his professional career in Spain in 1998, when he co-founded AutoScout24 Spain. In 2002 he founded the venture capital company ACTIVE Venture Partners, one of Europe’s few entrepreneurial-driven VC companies. In 2017, after two years of preparation and research, he started Learnlife, his “once in a lifetime” adventure aiming to change the world's learning landscape. Christopher is happily married and a father of two boys and a little girl.

Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn.

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A headshot of Sharon H. Milone
Sharon Milone

Passionate storyteller, master content strategist and champion of joy, Sharon Milone is the Editor in Chief of Digital Entrepreneur. She applies her experience as an entrepreneur and love of teaching, advising and mentoring to every aspect of the brand.