Julie Brangstrup: Luxury with a Mission

In a world where power is often measured by speed and success, Danish entrepreneur Julie Brangstrup has redefined what it means to lead with purpose. From the fast-paced world of finance to co-founding the iconic Gumball 3000 rally, and now as the visionary behind Cash & Rocket, Julie has fused luxury, philanthropy, and female empowerment into a movement like no other. With over 25 years of experience and the heart of a changemaker, she brings together women from every corner of the globe—united not just by horsepower, but by the collective drive to uplift mothers, children, and communities in need. Her story is one of daring innovation, deep compassion, and unstoppable momentum.

You began your career in finance and went on to co-found several businesses, including VITAVIVA and Gumball 3000. What inner drive or moment led you to pivot from high-level business to founding a mission-driven platform like CASH & ROCKET?

My career began with a foundation in business, but over time, I felt a deep pull toward something more purpose-driven. It wasn’t one defining moment, but rather a growing realization that success without impact felt incomplete. Founding CASH & ROCKET came from a desire to use my experience, network, and platform to bring together powerful women — not just to celebrate their success, but to mobilize it for something bigger than ourselves. It was about creating meaning alongside momentum.

CASH & ROCKET brings together women from diverse backgrounds to unite around philanthropy and purpose. What makes this model so powerful for creating social change?

There’s something transformative that happens when women from different industries, cultures, and experiences come together with a shared mission. It’s no longer about what separates us — it’s about what unites us. CASH & ROCKET creates a platform where collaboration replaces competition, and where influence is used not just to shine, but to uplift. That collective energy — amplified through storytelling, fundraising, and action — is what drives real, sustainable social change.

You’ve spoken about wanting to shift how women talk about global issues affecting women and children. What do you think needs to change most in how we approach these conversations?

We need to move from sympathy to strategy. It’s easy to talk about issues emotionally, but real change requires action plans, accountability, and investment. Women bring empathy, but we also bring power — economic, political, and social. We must normalize conversations about equity, access, and opportunity, not just around dinner tables, but in boardrooms and on global stages. We’re not asking for permission to lead these conversations anymore — we’re owning them.

You’ve created a space where women come together not just for fun or fashion, but for impact. What legacy do you hope CASH & ROCKET leaves behind 10 or 20 years from now?

I hope CASH & ROCKET becomes a case study in how joy, elegance, and purpose can coexist — and fuel each other. I want our legacy to be a movement that helped redefine female philanthropy, showing that impact can be stylish, that giving back can be glamorous, and that sisterhood is a superpower. Most of all, I want the next generation to look back and say, “They made giving cool — and they opened the door for us to do even more.”

As someone who’s always at the intersection of luxury, lifestyle, and philanthropy, how do you continue to innovate and keep CASH & ROCKET relevant in an ever-changing world?

Relevance comes from listening — to the world, to our community, and to the needs of the moment. We innovate by staying curious and collaborative. Whether it’s integrating new technology, aligning with fresh causes, or partnering with forward-thinking brands, we evolve by staying rooted in our purpose while remaining open to new expressions of it. Luxury today is about meaning, not just aesthetics — and we’re committed to embodying that shift.

You often say, “We can achieve more together than we can alone.” How do you intentionally cultivate collaboration over competition among high-achieving women in the CASH & ROCKET network?

It starts with creating a culture of trust and mutual celebration. At CASH & ROCKET, we don’t just welcome success — we honour it, in all its forms. We remind our women that their power doesn’t diminish when shared; it multiplies. By focusing on shared goals, aligning on mission, and giving each woman a chance to lead in her own right, we create a space where collaboration feels natural — and competition unnecessary.

Entrepreneurship and philanthropy both come with setbacks. What personal mindset practices or habits have helped you stay resilient and aligned with your purpose over the years?

Resilience, for me, comes from clarity of purpose and a deep sense of gratitude. I ground myself in the “why” behind everything I do. I also believe in rituals — daily routine and surrounding myself with people who remind me of what really matters. I’ve learned to embrace challenges as growth opportunities and to see setbacks as part of the journey, not the end of it. It will give you a deeper understanding of ourselves.

“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.” .. 

What do you hope young women and future leaders learn from your story—and how can today’s female entrepreneurs create space for the next generation to rise?

I hope they see that there’s no one path to success — and that it’s not only okay to evolve, but essential. I want them to know that strength and softness can coexist, and that you don’t have to sacrifice authenticity for ambition. As female entrepreneurs, we have a responsibility to mentor, uplift, and open doors. Creating space isn’t just about making room at the table — it’s about building a bigger table altogether.