Welcome To

BERENBERGS.com

Berenbergs.com is the collective name for a select group of individuals and entities who support the arts—either through donations or through commercial acumen paired with an active network in the field.

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We don’t seek recognition for our contributions. Our giving is done quietly, and we are content with that. When we do donate, we request anonymity; only if necessary do we use Berenbergs.com.

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We are not structured as a charity, which gives us the flexibility to tailor our contributions based on supply-demand dynamics and timing, rather than being constrained by rigid frameworks like the typical 5% model.

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We are set up the way we are because we continue to believe that tax revenue should, and will remain, a key and significant source of contribution to society.

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We do not solicit funds or seek requests. Instead, we identify opportunities by engaging with individuals and organizations working within our priority areas. We generally do not accept unsolicited proposals.

Lessons from the

FIRST RENAISSANCE

Consider the Renaissance.Europe was mired in the Middle Ages—struggling in a dark age with few thriving systems. Yet, somehow, Florence surged forward by 200 years. Why? We learned that it was due to the convergence of powerful banking families, like the Medicis, and the flourishing of art.During this period, crafts were isolated—woodworking, painting, stonemasonry—each field tightly separated and passed down through generations. But then something remarkable happened: the barriers between guilds were lowered. This shift allowed individuals in one craft to apply their knowledge to others. This exchange of ideas led to the emergence of polymaths like Leonardo da Vinci, who bridged multiple disciplines. This was a fundamental socio-economic change that propelled the Renaissance forward.We also learned that two key innovations played a critical role: the bill of exchange and double-entry bookkeeping. While each of these was useful in isolation, their real power came when they were combined. The Medicis did exactly that. By leveraging these tools, they accelerated economic growth and laid the foundation for what we now know as the modern banking system.This is what great entrepreneurs do. When you’re deeply immersed in the creative process—like artists—you’re constantly surrounded by people who serve as early detectors of societal change. They are more attuned to emerging patterns and shifts than those in traditional business circles. They make unexpected connections across disciplines, seeing relationships where others don’t. They operate at a level that’s almost abstract, almost mathematical, in their ability to make sense of the world.
This mindset fuels truly disruptive innovation—not merely refining what exists but creating something entirely new.The best founders possess what feels like a “reality distortion field.” They see 10 to 15 years into the future, as artists and creators do. But their strength lies in their ability to take that far-off vision and break it down into actionable steps—simple, bite-sized milestones that employees, investors, and partners can understand and follow. They’re storytellers, painting a clear and compelling picture of the future and guiding others to believe in it and work toward it. Great founders understand that while thinking decades ahead is challenging for most, the key is to make that vision tangible and digestible for everyone to get behind.

• Our Core Beliefs

Jim Simons

"You’re looking for patterns, for things that have some sort of structure. The ability to see things others don’t see is a big part of success."