Unseen Upside: Investments Beyond Their Returns

The mental health crisis is growing, especially among Gen Z (91% report anxiety or depression). This episode explores innovations in mental healthcare access, new therapeutic approaches for young people and families, and how hospitals are striking creative partnerships to tackle this emergency. Tune in to learn what’s working and showing promise in mental healthcare, glimpses of what the future could look like, and where persistent gaps remain. Hear from leaders Melody Dickerson (VHC Health); Emily Melton (Threshold Ventures); Naomi Allen (Brightline); and Bridget Sproles (Cambridge Associates).

The future of healthcare is here. Get an an inside look at the innovations transforming lives on season four of Unseen Upside, premiering Tuesday, February 6. This season, we pull back the curtain on cutting-edge advancements at the intersection of technology and medicine, learn how AI is revolutionizing diagnostics and treatment, discover the potential of GLP-1s to combat obesity, and how breakthrough Alzheimer's therapies are offering hope to millions. We'll also uncover creative approaches to solving the mental health crisis. Powered by the global network of Cambridge Associates, join us to explore healthcare investments beyond their returns.

The fashion industry accounts for up to 10% of global carbon dioxide output and roughly 2.6 million tons of clothing returns end up in US­­­ landfills each year instead of being resold. Meanwhile, the shipping for these returns account for around 16 million tons of CO2 emissions—and fast fashion is making things worse. But what if deep tech could help to cut down on returns? Amid the rise of conscious consumerism, one company is using video game technology and AI generated avatars to help online shoppers try on clothing virtually before they buy, in the hopes of making the fashion industry more sustainable. We’ll learn more from Christine Marzano (BODS); Carle Stenmark (VMG Partners); Jennifer Varekamp (MassArt); and Annachiara Marcandalli (Cambridge Associates).

More than two-thirds of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels, a major climate change contributor. As such, use of renewable energy is expected to double in the next 15 years. But there’s a catch: the power they generate depends on variable factors like wind and sun, making them too unreliable to power our grid. However, recent battery innovations could be the solution. One company has developed an iron-air battery capable of storing energy for multiple days, which may be the missing link needed to decarbonize our grid for good. Join us to learn more from Mateo Jaramillo and Jocelyn Newhouse (Form Energy); Dipender Saluja (Capricorn Investment Group); Anders Lyngaa Kristoffersen (The Velux Foundations); and Di Tang (Cambridge Associates).

Humans have fantasized about flying cars for decades, but they’ve yet to leave the pages of our sci-fi books...or have they? Join us as we visit Joby Aviation out in Marina, California to witness their eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft take flight. With plans to operate like ubers in the sky, eVTOLs are the closest thing we have to flying cars—and they could be a commercial reality by 2025. The companies creating them promise a faster and greener mode of transportation, but who’s investing in them? Are they safe? And how will they change our transportation infrastructure? We’ll discuss these questions and more with Eric Allison (Joby Aviation); Andrew Beebe (Obvious Ventures); and Doug Carlson and Alex Innes-Whitehouse (pilots affiliated with Cambridge Associates).

According to scientists, 30,000 species per year are being driven towards extinction and 50% of all species could be extinct by 2050 due to climate change. But what if there was something we could do, in addition to conservation, to change this trajectory? That’s what the scientists and engineers at Colossal Biosciences are working towards: reversing extinction. Using CRISPR and advanced gene editing techniques, they plan to bring back the woolly mammoth and the dodo bird to help combat climate change and complement existing conservation efforts. Join us to discuss this topic with Ben Lamm (Colossal Biosciences); Tom Chi (At One Ventures); and John Calvelli (Wildlife Conservation Society).

Harnessing fusion power has been an elusive goal of physicists and researchers for decades. However, recent scientific advances are helping to make that goal a reality. Described as a star in a bottle, fusion is what powers our sun and stars, offering us the prospect of limitless clean energy. But here on earth, it has presented unresolved engineering challenges—until now. Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on the brink of delivering commercial fusion energy thanks to their revolutionary magnet. But how does a safe, limitless, carbon-free, fusion power plant operate? What does it look like? How and when will this technology be replicated to meet the world’s energy needs? We’ll learn more from Bob Mumgaard (Commonwealth Fusion Systems); Katie Rae (The Engine); and Theresa Hajer (Cambridge Associates).

Season three of Unseen Upside: Investments Beyond Their Returns by Cambridge Associates explores the innovations turning science fiction to fact and the people investing in them. Powered by the global network of Cambridge Associates, discover the investments being made that will redefine our future. Join us to uncover the Unseen Upside.

We’ve all dreamt of traveling to outer space and recently, that dream has been more tangible than ever. But for those of us without a seat on the next rocket, how will space innovation improve our lives here on Earth? It turns out that the microgravity environment of orbit provides manufacturing capabilities that aren’t possible on earth. It allows us to create things—think artificial organs, life-saving pharmaceuticals, fiber optic cables, and other products—that are superior to those created on our planet. In this episode, we explore the growing Space Economy with Delian Asparouhov (Varda/Founders Fund); Tess Hatch (Bessemer Venture Partners); Alex Readey (Cambridge Associates); and a seven-year-old aspiring astronaut.

Oceans make up 72% of the earth’s surface and have absorbed around 40% of carbon emissions since 1840. As such, investors are increasingly putting capital to work in ocean-based businesses to both mitigate climate change and enhance the Blue Economy—but how? In this episode, we visit Running Tide in Portland, ME to see this concept in action. They use advanced aquatic growing systems and data science to grow shellfish and kelp forests. The result? A highly nutritious, sustainable protein and a natural carbon removal system. Join us to dissect this topic with Marty Odlin and Adam Baske (Running Tide); Marc von Keitz (Grantham Foundation for Protection of the Environment); Sidney McLaurin (Material Impact); and Sarah Edwards (Cambridge Associates).