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Creating Impact and Profit Through Social Innovation - Conversations with the global leaders in Impact Investing and Social Innovation
104 Episodes
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Impact at Scale interviews Mairu Gupta, the CEO and founder of Antkind Collective. Antkind is a digital marketing & growth-hacking company focused on climate startups and conscious brands.
In this conversation, we discuss the importance of narratives and marketing strategies for sustainability companies. Mairu shares the genesis of Antkind and its unique approach as a mix of an agency and an accelerator. He also highlights some exciting projects with clients, such as Pyse.
Mairu emphasizes the need for sustainability and climate companies to build a narrative and brand, as well as focus on business development. He provides practical tips for companies to develop their brand and engage with consumers.
Some Topics Mairu Covered
Need for Narrative in Advertising
Unique Approach of AntKind Collective
Building a Marketing Strategy
Practical Tips for Building a Brand
Other Titles We Considered
The recipe for creating a movement
60% of consumers consider sustainability important in brands
In our final installment of speaking to companies in the APAC Cleantech 25, Impact at Scale sat down with Tulika Raj, CEO and co-founder of SunGreenH2. SunGreenH2 is transforming green hydrogen with proprietary technology to produce high-performance, low-cost electrolyzers components using advanced nanostructured materials.
Tulika delves into the crucial role of electrolyzers in creating green hydrogen, a versatile resource that finds application in many industries. From ammonia production to petrochemical refining and chemicals production, hydrogen is a key player. She also explores the potential of hydrogen in the automotive sector, underlining the necessity of a diverse range of renewable energy solutions to achieve net zero emissions. Tulika sheds light on the advantages of Singapore as an innovation hub and the challenges the electrolyzer industry is grappling with. She underscores the significance of regulation and localization of manufacturing in driving the widespread adoption of electrolyzers.
Some Of The Topics Tulika Covered
Use cases for Hydrogen
Potential of Hydrogen in the Automotive Industry
Leapfrogging Technology in Remote Areas
Increasing Adoption of Electrolyzers in Industry
Other Titles We Considered
Opportunity for an energy leapfrog
Supercharging electrolyzers so more hydrogen can be made
Hydrogen has more energy content per unit compared with anything
This week, I am releasing The Impact at Scale Podcast with Zal Dastur early because I wanted this episode with Richard Youngman, CEO of Cleantech Group, to be out before the CleanTech Asia Forum taking place this week in Singapore.
In our conversation, Richard and I discuss his organization's role in supporting global Cleantech innovation. They provide research, data, and consulting services to help corporates, investors, and the public sector engage with startups addressing climate and environmental challenges.
Richard explains that the Cleantech industry has evolved significantly over the years, with a broader range of companies now focused on diverse areas such as alternative proteins, green steel, carbon capture, and more. He emphasizes the importance of both mitigation and adaptation in addressing climate change and optimistically highlights the economic opportunities that come with transitioning to a sustainable industrial system. He hopes the Cleantech Forum Asia event in Singapore will continue to catalyze regional collaboration and innovation.
Some of the topics Richard covered
Role of VCs in the Cleantech Industry
Importance of Government and Corporate Action
Rise of entrepurnism
Adaptation vs mitigation
Other Titles We Considered
Money follows money
We need to get in a different mode
Everybody can contribute
The benefits that can accrue from this are massive.
Everybody who gets involved is always surprised at how collaborative it is
Impact at Scale had an engaging conversation with Charlie McGill, the CEO of ElectraLith, a company specializing in sustainable lithium extraction. ElectraLith's membrane technology offers a cleaner and more cost-efficient method of lithium extraction, reducing the environmental footprint. This is vitally important as the demand for lithium is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
We discuss the challenges of current lithium extraction methods and the need for more environmentally friendly solutions. Charlie explains the unique membrane technology developed by ElectraLith and its potential to revolutionize the lithium extraction process. They also explore the growing demand for lithium and its applications in batteries. The conversation delves into the process of productizing academic ideas and the importance of embracing failure and experimentation in startup culture.
ElectraLith's groundbreaking work has earned them a spot in the prestigious 2024 APAC Cleantech 25 List. They are set to participate in the CleanTech Forum Asia, a significant event in Singapore scheduled for the 7th and 8th of May 2024.
Some of the Topics Charlie Covered
Membrane Technology and Lithium Extraction
Importance of Sustainable Lithium Extraction
Challenges of Productizing Academic Ideas
Embracing Failure and Experimentation
Other Titles We Considered
Just because you have a solution does not mean there is a problem
Teaching academics that it's okay to fail.
If we don't push hard enough, we won't know when we've pushed too far.
Impact at Scale had the privilege of speaking with the remarkable Sharona Shnayder, founder of Tuesdays for Trash and recipient of the National Geographic Young Explorer Award. Sharona shared her inspiring journey and the remarkable expansion of her grassroots environmental movement.
Tuesdays for Trash, born out of the COVID-19 lockdowns, became a beacon of hope for Sharona and her friend to make a difference in the world. What began as a local initiative swiftly transformed into a global force, spanning an impressive 40 countries.
Sharona's narrative is a testament to the belief that each of us holds the power to address environmental challenges. She candidly shares the obstacles and victories she's encountered in her activism, underscoring the urgent need for policy shifts and educational campaigns to effectively manage waste.
Some of the topics Sharona covered
Starting Tuesdays for Trash
Manifesting the Movement
Using Social Media to Spread Awareness
Unexpected Growth and Becoming a Movement
Some Incredible Moments
Other Titles We Considered
How to start a movement
It's an act of respect
We're making it seen and visible so people don't feel like they're alone in this fight
It's so simple and easy it makes it accessible to anyone
This episode of Impact at Scale features Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, fresh off the heels of the recent awards ceremony in Singapore. Founded by Prince William, the Earthshot Prize draws inspiration from President John F. Kennedy's moonshot challenge, aiming to tackle seemingly impossible environmental goals within a decade.
Hannah's conviction and passion during the conversation is infectious, and you can feel her enthusiasm for what the future holds and how we will get there.
Our discussion with Hannah shed light on the Earthshot Prize's global impact, instilling a sense of hope for a sustainable future. Hannah's extensive experience at Nike, where she championed sustainability and innovation, prepared her well for her current role as CEO of Earthshot.
We explored the prize's function as a platform for a worldwide movement of optimism and action on sustainability, the meticulous search and selection process that uncovers countless potential solutions, and her aspiration to create a World Cup moment for environmental solutions, sparking global action. We even talk about what it is like to work with Prince William and his passion for the prize.
Some of the topics Hannah covered
Earthshot Prize's Mission
Search and Selection Process
Journey to the Earthshot Prize
Social Tipping Points
Green Growth in Singapore:
Other Titles We Considered
We have to turn anger into action and a sense of agency.
We are the Google search engine for all environmental solutions."
Climate change is going to make COVID look easy.
It always seems hard until it isn't
Impact at Scale got to have an insightful conversation with Dale Rickert, Global Head of Product, GREENTECH FESTIVAL and Jan Willem Bolderdijk, Professor of Sustainability & Marketing at the University of Amsterdam.
This was a wide-ranging conversation that covered many different topics. We examined cultural tipping points and their importance in the fight against climate change. There was also a lively discussion on the ethical and cultural aspects of marketing and consumption in a sustainable future.
This conversation was a fantastic melding of theory and practical application of behavioral change as they see it in the real world. It was an insightful discussion for anyone interested in how we change the global mindset on sustainability.
Some of the topics Dale and Jan covered:
Social Tipping Points
Storytelling and Marketing
Intention-Behavior Gap
Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Change
Some other titles we considered for this episode
Culture eats strategy for breakfast
Change instigated by those who don’t have a lot of power
People will speak out when they feel there’s institutional support
Impact at Scale had the opportunity to meet and discuss all things food with Vikas Garg, founder of abillion. abillion serves as a social media platform, consumer review platform, and marketplace focused on sustainability. Vikas discusses the platform's mission to inspire a billion people to make sustainable choices. The platform focuses on food, injecting purpose and values into consumer choices.
Vikas explains that the inspiration behind abillion stemmed from his observation of the misinformation and data misuse on social media platforms, leading him to create a platform where every action creates a positive impact. He highlights the platform's community-driven approach and efforts to ensure accurate and reliable information. Garg emphasizes the importance of sustainability in food choices, noting meat production's inefficiencies and environmental impact.
Some of the topics that Vikas covered
Being Mission Driven
Sustainability in Food Choices
Power of Community and User-Generated Content
Educating Users on Impactful Choices
Other Titles We Considered
Inspire a billion for the planet
Help people make responsible decisions
I'm a big believer in movements
Red meat is a type one carcinogen right up there with tobacco
Impact at Scale sat down for a coffee with Matthew Howe, Founder of Grobrix. Grobrix offers an innovative urban farming service for businesses. Grobrix is a Lego-inspired, modular growing system that seamlessly integrates into any office environment. The company takes care of everything, from installation and maintenance to harvesting the crops, allowing employees to enjoy the benefits of fresh, local produce without the hassle.
Matthew, a former banker who turned his passion for sustainability into a thriving business, sees that Grobrix is more than just a convenient source of greens. It's a powerful tool for promoting sustainability, health, and employee engagement. In a world increasingly disconnected from our food source, Grobrix fosters a sense of connection with where our food comes from.
Some of the topics that Mathew Covered:
From Finance to Farming
Design inspiration from Lego
Beyond Convenience: Sustainability and Impact
The Future of Urban Farming
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
A cross between a gardener and a personal trainer
Making everyone an urban farmer
I had an insightful conversation with Helena Wasserman, CEO of Unstoppable, on the Impact at Scale Podcast. We delved into her journey from the tech world to the climate space and discussed Unstoppable's mission to support climate founders. She felt hopeful about the talent joining the climate movement and the importance of having a clear vision for positive change.
Helena also suggested books that make people feel empowered to create a change.
Saving the Planet Without the Bullshit by Assaad Razzouk and
The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres
Some of the Topics Helena Covered:
Climate Investment Trends
Changing Definitions of Growth
Unstoppable's Mission
Vision for Change
Other Titles We Considered for this Episode:
Investing in the Future: Climate Solutions & Scaling Change
From Deforestation to Regeneration
The Talent Shift: Why Climate is Attracting the Best Minds
Vision & Action: Fueling the Fight Against Climate Change
In this episode of Impact at Scale, Zal Dastur, your host, dives deep into the sobering reality of climate change with Ben Horton, Director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore. We confront the stark truth of science's struggle to communicate the urgency of the crisis to policymakers and the public. Ben unpacks the daunting challenges of prioritizing carbon reduction in decision-making, emphasizing the critical need for a swift transition to renewable energy.
Beyond technical solutions, the conversation delves into the psychological dimension, exploring the role of behavioral change in addressing the crisis. Ben emphasizes the importance of education, political will, and long-term thinking as essential weapons in this existential battle.
This episode is a stark call to action, urging us to move beyond despair and embrace the power of collective action in the face of climate change.
Some of the topics that Ben covered
Science's Failure on Climate Change
The Challenges of Behavioral Change
Short-Term Thinking and Lack of Political Will
The Importance of Choice and Making Sustainable Decisions
Every decision we make needs to take carbon into account
Some other titles we considered for this episode
When an ice sheet melts, it doesn't have a conscious
There is no vaccine for climate change
2023 is the best year we will get for decades
In our latest episode, Impact at Scale delves into a transformative conversation with Erik Haug, the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Light CoCreative. This global innovation and impact collective is on a mission—dedicated to pioneering sustainable solutions that address the fundamental needs of humanity.
Erik's passion for sustainability and climate action is palpable. With an extensive background, he collaborates with some of the world's titans to reshape their business models into forces for positive change, harmonizing profitability with planetary health.
At the heart of Erik's vision is a profound belief: true human potential can only be realized when basic needs—food, water, and healthcare—are met. His commitment shines through in LIGHT CoCreative, a company exclusively aligned with organizations sharing the same path toward meaningful impact.
Some of the Topics Erik covered:
Looking long-term vs short-term
The power of purpose-driven talent
Changing consumer preferences
Solving basic needs first
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
We need visionary leadership
It is easy to get off course when our compass isn't aligned
The next generation of consumers is leading the way
In a cooperative way, we need to be competitive
Impact at Scale sits down with Sebastian Mueller, co-founder of Ming Labs, a design and tech consultancy passionate about empowering businesses to drive positive change for the planet.
Sebastian believes businesses are a powerful force for good and seeks to help companies understand how to utilize their influence for a more significant impact within their industries. He dives into the intersection of design, technology, and sustainability, sharing insights for businesses to become powerful catalysts for a more sustainable future.
Some of the topics Sebastian covered
Turning a business toward sustainability
How do you own change?
The impact of tech on the planet
Changing business models in sustainability
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
The internet has been built with speed, not with energy efficiency
You cannot have sustainability without the digital side
Every single industry is going to look different in 20 years
Impact at Scale had an energetic and lively chat with Milena Nikolova, a Partner and Board Member of AeraVC an early-growth VC focusing on investing in the next generation of start-ups that will transform the world.
Milena shared with us how a trip to the hottest place on the planet in the name of philanthropy changed her life and she gave up a very promising banking career.
Some of the topics that Milena covered:
Finding fulfillment through philanthropy
What climate change will feel like
Myths of Climate Investment
Climatetech 2.0
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Even if there is a 2% chance the scientists are right, the choice is in your hands
Most of us are already feeling the impacts of climate change
If we do not take action today, it is going to be immeasurably harder tomorrow
We need 7 trillion a year
Have you ever wondered what it's like to work closely with Bill Gates for over a decade? Or what the future of energy looks like? In this week's episode of The Impact at Scale Podcast, we go deep with Jonah Goldman, the ex-Managing Director at Breakthrough Energy, One of Bill Gates's investment companies to discuss all of this and more.
Jonah shares his insights on the current state of venture investing, the technologies that are exciting him at the moment, and the changes he would like to see in order to solve the climate crisis. He also provides a unique perspective on global climate events and the levers that move power.
Some of the topics that Jonah covered:
From political advocacy to planet advocacy
Taking the leap with the Gates Foundation
lessons from working with Bill Gates
Changing capital structures to adapt to climate needs
Building the engines to reinvent the entirety of our physical economy
The relationship between government and fossil fuels
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Venture isn't designed to build hard things
We need to innovate the world's capital structures
It is not climate it is the entirety of our physical economy
Making energy cheaper for the end consumer is always a good policy goal
The progress we have made has been pretty significant
Impact at Scale had a great conversation with Steve Hoy and Grant McDowell the founders of Enosi.
Enosi is an energy traceability solution enabling households and businesses to buy energy directly from solar and wind farms. Technology that will become more important as consumers start to demand their energy comes from renewable sources.
Steve and Grant are both at the forefront of the energy transition and we talk about how that is progressing and how much longer we have on the journey to 100% clean and renewable energy.
They are strong advocates for giving the consumer the option to choose where their energy comes from and their PowerTracer software gives customers that ability.
Some of the topics that Steve and Grant covered:
Their paths to solar
The complexities around selling electricity
Giving green energy at a cheaper costs
Getting to 100% clean energy in a market
Turning Australia into a clean energy exporter
The benefits for consumers
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Make sure everybody can get access to renewable energy
Customers want to buy energy from a place they can trust
Provenance of energy is going to be more important
Impact at Scale had a chat with Simon JD Schillebeeckx the Co-Founder of Global Mangrove Trust and Handprint. Both of these organizations work towards preserving the natural ecosystems around the world.
Simon is in a unique position of being both an academic at Singapore Management University and an entrepreneur which gives him an interesting perspective on sustainability. His combination of science-backed research along with business practicality allows him to contribute positively to both aspects of his life.
Some of the topics that Simon covered:
What an academic entrepreneur is
The contradiction between being an academic and an entrepreneur
The power of mangroves
Operating within the capitalist system
How to nudge people to change
The importance of regulation
Some other titles we considered for this episode
Design is the first signal of human intention
We have built wealth by stealing the future from the next generations
You cannot throw anything away, you can get it out of sight
Nature doesn't waste anything
1The Impact At Scale Podcast had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Darian McBain, CEO of Outsourced Chief Sustainability Officer Asia and a Visiting Professor in Practice with LSE.
Darian has a wide range of experience covering sustainability in companies as diverse as healthcare, agriculture and even a central bank. This gives her a magnificent perspective on the way sustainability impacts the economy from various angles.
Her insights into what companies can do to improve their sustainability processes have led her to start her latest business and this conversation covers a wide range of topics about how the world of sustainability has changed since she started her career.
Some of the topics that Daria covered:
What is the role of a Fractional CSO
Carbon Myopia
How companies view sustainability
Struggling to get the talent companies need
Working to make change from the inside
Power of following your interests
Setting Singapore up as a green finance hub
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
CO2 emissions are the same as dollars
I will create a new version of myself with AI
The tools being used most for sustainability are Google and Excel
One thing to advocate from the outside, is totally different from going inside the industry
Starting to get the attention of governments
The Impact at Scale Podcast had a lively and exciting conversation with Sonia Weymuller Co-Founder and General Partner at VentureSouq.
VentureSouq is a Dubai-based venture capital fund with a global portfolio. They manage thematic funds, with a current focus on FinTech and ClimateTech.
Sonia got her start in investing by organizing what would become one of the largest private investment syndicates in the Middle East. She talks to us about her usual journey to being a VC and how she feels about
Some of the topics that Sonia covered:
Starting as a syndicate
Unconvential approach to VC
Knowing when to make the jump
How you start a fund
The difference between impact, ESG and climate
Climate investing in the Middle East
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Enough talk, lets act
Energy companies are the ones with money to make change happen
Everyone now understands that climate change is happening
Impact at Scale got to discuss the world of sustainable cleaning products with Jeremy Lee, CEO & Founder of SimplyGood. SimplyGood is a cleaning product supplier that has developed an innovative new way to package a traditional product.
Jeremy started the company during covid when cleanliness and hygiene came into sharp focus. He realized we were wasting so much space and energy in the transportation of cleaning products when most of the product was actually water. He felt there could be a better way.
Some of the topics that Jeremy covered:
Inefficiencies in current cleaning solutions
Lack of innovation
Changing human behavior
Opening a business during covid
Difference between regular and impact businesses
Some other titles we considered for this episode:
Punching upwards against the big boys
Creating value outside of sustainability
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