Disruptors for GOOD | Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises

In Episode 158 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Eleonore Eisath, co-founder of beworm, on using the power of nature to recycle the world's most used plastics.After graduating from the Wirtschaftsoberschule H. Kunter Bozen with an emphasis on business, management and marketing, Eleonore Eisath completed her Bachelor in Industrial Design at the Università IUAV di Venezia.In 2019 she rounded out her knowledge with a Master’s degree from TUM.Since she began her studies at TUM, Eleonore Eisath has been conducting research on a highly innovative recycling system.In 2019 this led to the spin-off beworm, which is developing a biotic/biocatalytic recycling process to break down oil-based plastics such as PE (polyethylene).PE is the world’s most commonly used plastic material, which is used in many everyday goods. However, in contrast to the more familiar PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the other main chemical component for consumer goods, it is to date hardly ever being recycled.In addition to beworm, only a handful of other companies worldwide are working on this important task for the future.Eleonore Eisath is hoping for a revolution in recycling and she encourages each and every one of us to join: on beworm.org she provides instructions on how to raise waxworms, who will then munch on plastic waste in a small jar in your kitchen at home.About bewormBeworm uses the power of nature to recycle the world's most used plastics. Beworm is developing a biocatalytic recycling process that decomposes plastic waste into natural raw materials.They isolate plastic-degrading bacteria from our beloved be(e)worms to degrade polyethylene, the world's most used plastic material.The enzymes produced by this bacteria split the plastics up into basic chemicals for the production new (bio)plastics or other petrochemical products - creating an infinite, closed-loop system. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In this episode of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast I speak with Rodney Williams, Co-founder of SoLo Funds, on building a non-predatory FinTech startup for underserved communities in America.Rodney has been recognized with numerous awards, including Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 in 2012; the Ernst & Young EDGE Award in 2013; Cannes Gold Lion award in 2015; Tech Entrepreneur of the Year by Black Enterprise, 2016; NAACP Inspiring Innovation list 2017; 25 Inspiring Entrepreneurs Under 40 by Entrepreneur Magazine 2016; Entrepreneur of the Year in Connected World Communications in the Ohio Valley Region by EY in 2017; Ebony’s Power 100 in 2018 and CNBC Disruptor 50 List in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.Rodney attended West Virginia University, where he earned his BBA in finance, his BA in economics, and his MS in integrated marketing communications.Rodney also holds an MBA in finance & supply chain management from Howard University. He is a member of the 2019 Class of Henry Crown Fellows within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute.SoLo Funds is a mobile lending exchange that connects lenders and borrowers for the purpose of providing more affordable access to loans under $1,000. SoLo was created to disinter-mediate the predatory payday lending system. Today, SoLo is one of the fastest growing fintech companies in the country.SoLo’s story starts the way every SoLo request begins: with someone needing a hand. Co-founders Travis Holoway & Rodney Williams were noticing that family members, friends, and roommates were asking for financial help here and there, and they understood why. There weren’t any fair, reputable options for small, short-term loans.They decided to create one by harnessing the power of community. SoLo was formed in 2018 to create a viable, non-predatory option for moments when life happens. SoLo tap's into the power of community and generosity to form an online safety net that is mutually beneficial to all of its members.Travis and Rodney know that SoLo is needed because they needed it. Our loved ones needed it. And they know that SoLo makes a difference because nearly 80% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.Today, SoLo is driven too new heights, but grounded in the same hope and mission: to build a community that enables financial autonomy for all. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 157 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Danielle Doggett, Founder and CEO of Veer, on the clean future of the $1T shipping industry.Danielle has dedicated her life to the sea, she was named by the Royal Institute of Naval Architects as one of the most influential women of the past century. Her mission is to be the clean shipping generation leader. Danielle accepted a gold medal from the governments of Canada and Costa Rica on behalf of SAILCARGO INC., a company she founded. From the Great Lakes of Canada, Danielle began sailing at age 13.  A graduate of the ‘’Enkhuizer’’ Sea Academy, she learned Dutch to graduate.She holds a 200T masters ticket  which empowered her to captain the flagship of Barbados, schooner Ruth. Danielle wrote and implemented the successful launch of Ruth, which was the largest ship built in the history of the country.She is also co-founder of a Costa Rican non-profit, AstilleroVerde, that plants thousands of trees and creates jobs in a vulnerable coastal community. Each year Danielle’s company sponsors a young lady to sail on the St. Lawrence II – a ‘’thank you’’ to the ship that first inspired her.She is graduate of the Enkhuizer Nautical College of the Netherlands. As a result of her work across the Caribbean, Danielle is an adviser to the Caribbean Sail Training Association.About VeerVeer delivers a solution for the future fleet: clean, resilient shipping. A series of fast container vessels with a modular design that are cost competitive. In order to implement the next generation of innovative coastal and ocean tools and services that reduce social and environmental risk to oceans, Veer provides clean shipping using DynaRig sail technology paired with green hydrogen fuel cells.The global fleet, valued at $1.2T USD, has pressure to innovate. The essential service uses the world’s least refined fuel, causing up to 3% of global emissions. Fuel costs are 50-60% of ship operating costs, a volatile expense.Veer Youtube video ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 156 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Michael Badeski, COO of INSEACT, on the black soldier fly and the mission to provide sustainable and healthy food sources for the world through innovative technologies.Almost all seafood is farmed, and almost all farmed seafood uses wild-caught fish as the protein component of feed. INSEACT changes this by replacing fish protein with insect protein. INSEACT grows black soldier fly larvae fed with waste from the palm oil industry that was otherwise destined for landfill. INSEACT's unique protein application in shrimp aquaculture performs more profitably than traditional feed options.This improved performance allows INSEACT to achieve impact at scale, with a focus in Asia. The high-performance protein product INSEACT offers diverts agri-waste back from landfill back into the foodstream to close the circular economy loop. The INSEAD mission is to provide sustainable and healthy food sources for the world through innovative technologies.The founders met at INSEAD MBA, have a background in food entrepreneurship and industrial scale-up, and previously worked at the European market leader in insect protein.Michael is a former engineer consultant at a global top 10 engineering firm where he designed industrial facilities such as   algae production factories. He has also scaled a venture-backed B2B startup and serves as advisor for a VC firm’s portfolio companies. As INSEACT’s COO, Michael is in charge of operations and insect protein production.  Michael holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from McGill University and an MBA from INSEAD. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 155 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, we speak with Charley Cummings, President and CEO of Walden Mutual Bank, on creating a sustainable food focused digital bank and helping people grow their savings while supporting local farms and food businesses daring to do things differently.Charley started Walden Mutual to help people grow their savings while supporting local farms and food businesses daring to do things differently. After 8 years as founder and CEO of Walden Local - a sustainable meat company, which now serves thousands of families across the Northeast - Charley has brought the shared name and ethos to the banking world (though the two companies do not share a formal relationship).Before Walden (1 and 2) Charley played key roles in companies and non-profits covering commercial-scale composting, offshore wind energy, and management consulting.About Walden Mutual BankWalden Mutual Bank believes anyone can make positive and lasting change in our local food ecosystem.Headquartered in Concord, NH and working across New England and New York, they are launching digital-first bank accounts for individuals and loans tailored to local food and farm businesses.They are the first new mutual bank in 50 years nationwide and 100 years in New Hampshire. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 154 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, we speak with Matthew Kochmann, founder and CEO of Transcend, on the green burial movement and helping people and pets become trees when they die.What is a Green Burial?A green burial, also known as a natural burial or eco-friendly burial, is a type of burial that involves minimal impact on the environment. This typically involves using only natural materials to bury the body and avoid using any toxic chemicals or processes.There are many different reasons why someone might choose a green burial instead of a traditional burial. Some people believe that this type of burial is more respectful of the natural world and can help to preserve the environment.Others simply prefer the simple, natural process over more traditional funerary practices.What is a Tree Burial?Our bodies are filled with hyper-rich nutrients that go to waste when cremated or buried in a casket. Finally, there’s a better way to repurpose our bodies by returning them to the earth to feed and nourish forest ecosystems for decades.Transcend’s Tree Burial™ process utilizes a unique fungi-enriched soil mixture that facilitates a direct connection between the nutrient-rich body and the root system of the tree planted above.In this way, the body can biologically become the tree, creating and sustaining life for everything around it.About Matthew KochmannFrom a young age, Matthew Kochmann faced medical and mental health challenges that forced him to confront his own mortality, awakening a lifelong fascination with how humans relate to the mystery of death.In an attempt to integrate a more accepting approach, he turned to nature… Matthew found solace and inspiration in the central tenets of the American Transcendentalism movement forged by Emerson along with the ancient Vedic philosophies of India: that all living things are interconnected, even after death.While poetic, he was emboldened to learn that this is also scientifically true in the natural world; when an organism is returned to the earth, it creates more life for everything around it.With a Landscape Architecture degree from Cornell University, a track record of success as a serial entrepreneur, and experience as a land developer, it’s only natural that Matthew is bringing Tree Burial into existence.Creating values-aligned impact for the collective has always been his primary aspiration. Most notably, as employee #7 at Uber, he led the charge in transforming NYC’s antiquated and offline taxi industry, only to ultimately walk away from a life-changing amount of equity over ethical concerns.Matthew’s unique blend of regulatory and real estate knowledge, infused with a spiritually-inspired passion for the environment makes him the ideal steward for the Future Tree movement.About TranscendTranscend is the first company dedicated to reforesting the world by planting people (and pets) as trees when they die. Launching in October 2022, Transcend’s unique Tree Burial™ process is a climate change solution that repurposes the most life-giving natural resource known to mankind: our bodies.A bold, carbon negative alternative to caskets and cremation, Tree Burial creates life from death by returning people to the earth naturally so their biology can literally live on as a tree.Transcend is pioneering the Future Tree movement to help people cultivate a healthier relationship with their mortality and the planet. By using nature as a vehicle, Tree Burial reminds us that endings are always beginnings. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 153 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Michiel Vos, founder CocoPallet, on developing a bio-based export pallet that is strong, circular and affordable to replace wooden pallets.CocoPallet founder Michiel Vos started out his quest to stop wasting precious wood by developing a bio-based export pallet that is strong, circular and affordable to replace wooden pallets. This could prevent millions of trees being cut each year. After many years of hardship and continuous technical improvements, the first large scale factory is opening its doors in 2023 in the PhilippinesMichiel loves a challenge , if it is in the ring, sailing to Brazil or solving pressing environmental problems. He learned early on that avoiding pain and discomfort at all costs doesn’t get you anywhere and if you think it’s worth it; just start and get it done. The diminishing forest where one of the challenges he considered that made perfectly sense to find a solution to. First alone and later with a brilliant team, he developed an alternative for wooden one-way export pallets by compressing coconut husk waste -that is often just burned - into strong, circular and affordable CocoPallets.About CocoPalletCocoPallet, a transport pallet pressed from only the coconut husk which is normally wasted. Circular and 100% bio-degradable. At least 25% cheaper than the millions of wooden one-way export pallets from South-East Asia we intend to replace. Preventing millions of trees and billions of coconut husks to be wasted. CocoPallet offers coconut farmers additional income, lower cost and CO2 in the supply chain and at the end the CocoPallet can be milled and used as high quality soil improver for agricultural purposes.  ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 152 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, I speak with Igor Beuker, global speaker, serial entrepreneur, and impact investor, on his journey in working with Causeartist's, Misfits, and Cause Athletes around the world.Igor is a serial entrepreneur with 5 exits and angel investor in 24 social enterprises, an award-winning marketing strategist for brands like Amazon, L’Oréal, Nike and Unilever, and a seer for Fortune 500s, organizations, and governments.Purpose-driven leaders like Sir Richard Branson, Novak Djokovic, Sir Martin Sorrell, TEDx, Hollywood, and NASA have invited Igor to share his future vision.Kicked out of professional football and transformed from a college dropout into a radical marketing visionary and modern-day serial entrepreneur. He has become one of the prominent speakers in the international business speaking circuit. Meet a Math Man with a purpose.Igor is an energetic professional communicator with a proven track record as keynote speaker and host. He has inspired more than 4 million people from over 100 countries.Countless television and radio shows, newspapers and business magazines have featured Igor’s independent expert voice on emerging trends in marketing, media, and innovation.After 2,500+ international talks for leading brands and events, he jumped from the podium to the television screen. He still speaks 150 times per year. Never the same talk twice.For most of his life, Igor has been a strategic growth entrepreneur who helps brands to coin trends, outperform industries, conquer markets and realize double-digit growth.In 25 years’ experience at C-level, Igor advised more than 100 brands, including as an award-winning marketing strategist for global brands like Nike, Amazon, L’Oréal and Unilever. As new-breed trendwatcher he drives trend-driven innovation programs for Fortune 500s.His radical strategies as CMO (10 years) were backed by a multi-billion-dollar corporate track record. Next, as an entrepreneur, he founded three multi-million-dollar marketing firms from scratch, which leading global media network WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY) acquired for double digits.As global Chief Strategy Officer for WPP, Igor’s radical Math Man vision and bold forward-thinking transformed many established brands that required next-level change and reinvention.Besides being a guest teacher at leading universities, he delivers a series of game-changing marketing master classes and he is a board member at revolutionary retail, tech and media firms.As a philanthropist, he shares 20% of his profits and exits with foundations that enhance education.Igor’s purpose is to inspire the idea that people can use technology to be a great force of good. Through technology, we can cure diseases and save the environment. Expedite education and exchange knowledge. Create equal opportunities for everyone on Earth. Igor’s dream is to make science fiction a reality.Igor on LinkedInIgor on Twitter ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In this episode I speak with Eric Archambeau, Co-Founder & Partner, at Astanor Ventures on investing in DeepTech to power the future of nature and regenerative agriculture.A global food enthusiast and not-for-profit activist, Astanor’s co-founder Eric has been supporting healthy food education and regenerative agriculture training for over a decade. The former Silicon Valley technology entrepreneur turned venture capitalist (App Annie, Betfair, Freenow, Onfido , Spotify,  Xing) was Global Chairman of the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and co-founded Quadia – a Geneva-based impact investing firm that offers private investors and family offices tailored strategies and portfolios that deliver social and environmental impact.Previously, he lectured at graduate business school INSEAD, where he founded the Social Entrepreneurship Department and was one of the co-founders of Social Impact International, a social entrepreneur accelerator program in India and Hawaii with a focus on sustainable agri-food programs.Eric’s ambition to revolutionise the food sector led him, with long-time business associate George Coelho, to launch Astanor Ventures in 2017 to invest in disruptive companies creating systemic change in the food and farming sectors while restoring the cultural dimension of food, ultimately inspiring people to cook meals that are sustainable, delicious, nourishing and that build a connection to nature.About Astanor VenturesAstanor is an impact investor, delivering financial, social and environmental returns in equal measure. We believe in the future of an agrifood system that provides affordable nutrients for 10 billion people, preserves and regenerates natural resources, actively contributes to decarbonization and protects land and ocean biodiversity.Astanor is driven by a pressing urgency to combat climate change, biodiversity loss and improve the health of humanity and the planet.Sustainability and impact were part of the firm’s founding principles and remain an area they are committed to excel in. The mission as impact investors is to find, support and scale the most disruptive, impactful solutions to accelerate progress towards global sustainability targets. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.

In Episode 151 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Fahad Ifaz, Co-founder and CEO of iFarmer, on his mission to democratize agricultural finance and supply chains to millions of small-scale farmers.Fahad is an entrepreneur with a vision to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions for people in emerging economies. A big believer of businesses and entrepreneurs as driving force for human development. Fahad believes as rationale human beings we don't buy or invest in "things". We don't make decisions based on features and benefits, we make decisions based on emotion, intuition and a range of other calculations which are complex in nature similar to the markets which we thrive in.This is true for the poor farmers, producers, big corporations, governments and financial institutions. Prior to founding iFarmer, Fahad worked for 10 years in the "market systems development" and ” and Private sector development space with experience in agriculture, micro-enterprise development, value chain development, policy analysis and private sector engagement across various countries in South Asia.Prior to iFarmer, Fahad worked at the NGO, Swisscontact-Katalyst, The World Bank, CARE Australia and SPRING Accelerator.Fahad has a BBA from NSU (2006-2010) and a Masters in Economics from NSU (2012-2013).About iFarmeriFarmer can connect farmers, space/landowners, investors, and crop buyers to create a complete farming supply chain.To date, iFarmer is used by 71000+ farmers in Bangladesh and growing rapidly month over month.iFarmer is an impact tech startup that has developed an innovative online platform that enables anyone in Bangladesh to easily sponsor in farming and livestock. Being a part of the iFarmer community is more than earning returns.Food, Energy, and Water are peoples primary needs, that’s always decreasing. By 2050 world Population will reach 9.1 billion and 70% of world population will be living in urban space.In Bangladesh, there is an urban population of 30%, which is likely to increase up to 50% by 2030.The question is who will feed this growing population? That’s why we need new ways to create scalable and efficient agriculture farming. ----------------------------------------Disruptors for GOOD is powered by Causeartist, a nonprofit media company dedicated to bridging the gap between capital and culture by spotlighting founders, investors, and organizations reimagining how business can serve people and the planet.Through storytelling, events, and open-access education, Causeartist helps create a shared language of impact, inspiring more founders to build with purpose and more funders to invest with intention.By amplifying ideas and innovations across industries, Causeartist transforms awareness into action and cultivates a community where paying it forward is part of the foundation for growth.