VSG > 1:1 Advising

 Private Sector Special Advisors

We help leaders deliver systems change as an advisor, counselor, and confidant.

What do you specialize in?

As the first think tank-backed venture advisory, we help advance organization’s sustainable development and social impact goals — while navigating our polycrisis world. Our areas of expertise range from strategy and stakeholder engagement, to transdisciplinary research and research agenda-setting. We are excited to advise CXOs or board members who value research. We help leaders from both large corporations and new ventures at the forefront of impact deliver systems change.

Who will act as my Special Advisor?

Marvin Cheung is a business executive and global governance scholar. He co-directs the Center for Global Agenda (CGA) and directs the Venture Strategy Group (VSG) at Unbuilt Labs, where he serves as a special advisor to individuals, boards, and research organizations. He is a Global Diplomacy Fellow at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), a UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab Expert on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and Strategic Planning, and a member of different groups, including the Planetary Health Alliance, Boards Impact Forum, and Chairman’s Network, where he regularly shares research and perspectives to private and public Boards of Directors. In 2022, he succeeded the advisor to four successive Directors General at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) as Chair of the Global Consortium for Systems Research (GCSR). In 2023, he began serving on the Advisory Board of the Lifeboat Foundation, dedicated to mitigating existential risks, alongside four Nobel Laureates. He was a featured speaker at the United Nations General Assembly Science Summit. He is the author of 5 Ideas from Global Diplomacy, #1 Hot New Release in International Relations and #4 Hot New Release in Social Science Research on Amazon U.S.

Marvin holds a BFA from the Parsons School of Design, and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He was also a Departmental Visiting Student at the University of Oxford.

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We have answered questions for people from large corporations

— And many other startups from Pre-MVP to Scale Up —

“It is easy to lose sight of which fires to put out now and which ones to prioritize later. Unbuilt Lab’s comprehensive insights left me with a clearer picture of where I was, and equipped me with some excellent objectives and tactics moving forward. Without their input, I might not have arrived at the insights required to make an important pivot.”

Let’s find out how we can help you become more effective!

  1. We grab a 30-minute virtual coffee

  2. I ask you a few questions about your challenges and we discuss how I can help you

  3. You decide if we are a good fit

FAQs

  • Innovation is a high risk, high reward endeavor. Our expertise can help you evaluate, manage, and reduce risks, but we cannot guarantee results. Know that we are here because we enjoy working in the field of innovation tremendously and we want to see you succeed!

  • We have refined our method of delivery over the course of working with many senior leaders across industries and startups to ensure that our services are affordable. The most popular option is one 45-minute 1:1 session a month on a subscription basis - many leaders appreciate having a dedicated time each month to reflect on challenges. You can also opt for a 90-minute 1:1 session or sign up for ad-hoc sessions as well. We have recently announced our new pay-what-you-want Innovator in Residence (IIR) program at the UN General Assembly Science Summit, to support solutions-oriented research organizations and founders who have raised less than 100k USD.

  • If you have an on-going relationship with us, you are welcome to add your advisor Marvin Cheung to your Board of Advisor as a Special Advisor. We understand that to mean if you have at least 1 Advising Session with us each month for at least a quarter or 3 months. You will no longer be able list us as a Special Advisor when our relationship discontinues, though longer term arrangements can be made depending on need and interest.

    We make exceptions on a case-by-case basis but it is rare. This is a perk we offer to clients. You do not have to disclose your relationship with us if you do not wish to.

  • Yes, we do! Schedule a chat with us and see if we are a good fit.

  • Like VCs, our policy is we do not sign NDAs, however, we treat all materials with discretion. Please see our Ethics Statement for more information.

  • If only our jobs were that simple! At the end of the day, we focus on three things. First, you and your well-being; Second, business continuity; and Third, remaining competitive. We are looking to build a long-term relationship with you (our business model means we make more money that way). We have strict conflict of interest disclosures and will always give you advice that is in your best interest even if the conversation is difficult.

  • We do not offer refunds at this time unfortunately. However, if you have unused sessions, they will rollover to the next month with no maximum rollovers.

  • Some people find us to solve an urgent concern, others use this as a chance to get acquainted. Tell us your story and the challenges you are facing!

  • We always start an advising session with a standard "How are you doing?" or "What is on your mind?". If you have an urgent concern, we will work to resolve that first. If not, we are happy to talk about your latest initiatives, emerging trends, or do a product walk-through. How you spend the time is up to you!