Impact Unpacked: Recent Episodes
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Your lowdown on the world of impact investment. Meet the business founders fighting climate change, pioneering tech for good and bringing equality and sustainability to the table. Hosted by Iona Bain, author, broadcaster and founder of the Young Money Blog, and Tom McGillycuddy, co-founder of tickr, the impact investment app.
At a pilot school in North London, a new curriculum is tackling the mental health crisis in young people head on. Established by broadcaster George Lamb, GROW promotes mental wellbeing, physical health, and a more hands-on relationship with nature. Iona and Tom discuss how investments in education and digital learning are improving access to education worldwide.
"The least competitive crowdfunding platform in the world” is how Alex Stephany describes Beam – an online platform that uses tech to crowdfund new careers and homes for homeless people. Beam was set up after Alex befriended a homeless man at his local tube station and realised longer-term solutions were the key to making meaningful change. Iona and Tom zoom in on the rise of tech for good.
Made from fish waste from sustainable fisheries and red algae, MarinaTex is bioplastic with purpose. Developed by Product Design student Lucy Hughes, the biodegradable material could replace single-use plastic films. Lucy traces its development from her uni kitchen to becoming a potential game changer in waste reduction. Iona and Tom explore the wider topic of consumer power and sustainability.
Joycelyn Mate is the Co-Founder of Afrocenchix. The company, co-founded with Rachael Corson while still at university, develops safe and effective products for Afro hair. Joycelyn discusses the history of Afro hair and her experience securing investment as a company with two Black female founders. Iona and Tom examine venture capital’s responsibility to diversity and who leads the companies of the future.
What if your footsteps could create electricity? That’s the concept behind Pavegen – the paving slabs endorsed by legendary footballer Pelé and disliked by Trump. Pavegen founder Laurence Kemball-Cook discusses transforming energy and how people engage with their cities. Tom and Iona zoom out on the growing demand for renewable energy.
How’s your battery life? Despite being a vital part of the switch to renewables (for their ability to store energy), batteries aren’t all that green. Enter Aceleron. Dr Amrit Chandan talks to us about creating the world’s first recyclable and upgradeable lithium batteries, while Iona and Tom take a wider look at renewables.
If ever a category needed to be reimagined, it was period products with their out of touch language and branding. Step forward DAME. Seeing the plastic waste associated with periods, they set about making the first reusable tampon applicator, changing how we talk about periods in the process. Their Co-Founder Alec Mills charts their story, while Iona and Tom consider how business can push conversations about societal issues forward.