Disruptors for GOOD | Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises

Climate action often feels heavy. The headlines focus on crisis, the solutions demand sacrifice, and the average person ends up believing their choices are too small to matter.

Robert Luo has been working to break that cycle.

As the CEO of Tanbii, he is building a platform that turns climate restoration into a daily habit through play.

His team has found a way to turn virtual energy into real world reforestation.

The idea is simple.

When people enjoy something, they stick with it.

Allbirds is a sustainable footwear and apparel company founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, California (though with roots in New Zealand).

Its mission centers on creating environmentally responsible apparel using natural materials, minimizing carbon footprint, and promoting sustainable consumer habits.

From its early viral growth and celebrity adoption to raising hundreds of millions and going public in 2021, Allbirds enjoyed momentum as a “sustainable darling.”

However, since its IPO, the company has struggled with declining revenues, losses, leadership turnover, over expansion, and brand fatigue. In 2024, revenues fell ~25 % year over year to ~...

The idea that doing good should be simple is not new. The problem is the world rarely makes it simple. That is where Tab for a Cause comes in. What started as a clever college experiment has grown into one of the most accessible digital giving tools on the internet.

With nothing more than an internet connection and the habit of opening new browser tabs, millions of people have helped raise real dollars for causes that matter.

Under the leadership of co founder and CEO Alex Groth, the company has pushed a straightforward...

In the crowded world of consumer packaged goods, few companies truly live their mission from the inside out. Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages, founded in 2012 in Hilo, Hawai‘i, stands apart as one that does.

Co-founded by Ryan Emmons, his cousin Alex Preston, and friend Matt Meyer, the brand was built on a simple but revolutionary idea: great taste should never come at the planet’s expense.

From using 100% post-consumer recycled plastic to pioneering OceanPlast®, a proprietary coastal recycling initiative, and creating the Kōkua Initiative nonprofit to uplift local communities, Waiākea has beco...

At Causeartist, we love highlighting founders who turn lived experiences and community insights into solutions that change lives. Erik Olson, CEO of Dignity Made, has built a social enterprise tackling generational debt among coconut farmers in the Philippines.

What began as a single conversation with a farmer has grown into a thriving business that provides economic freedom, restores dignity, and protects vulnerable communities from exploitation.

There’s an ugly side to the coconut industry — one that traps farmers in extreme poverty, robs them of their land, and pushes families toward dangerous choices.

Oddbird is transforming the wine industry, proving that world-class wines can be just as sophisticated and celebratory without alcohol.

Founded in Sweden in 2013 by a former social worker who witnessed the impact of alcoholism on families firsthand, Oddbird was born from a desire to challenge the role of alcohol in modern culture.

Today, the brand stands as a pioneer in the dealcoholized wine movement, serving at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park, and even partnering with Porsche in Sweden, where each new car is delivered with a bottle of Oddbird’s sparkling wi...

When most people think about brushing their teeth, they rarely think about nutrition. For Vladimir Vukicevic, it became the foundation for a new way of thinking about health and habit.

As the Co-founder and CEO of Better & Better, Vladimir is reimagining what daily wellness can look like, starting with something as simple and universal as toothpaste.

Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Vladimir’s story is one of resilience and reinvention.

After surviving a childhood cancer diagnosis and enduring long-term side effects from chemotherapy, he faced a new challenge: managing his health through daily supplements th...

In an industry dominated by excess packaging and synthetic ingredients, Lola Arnao is carving out space for what the brand calls “slow beauty”, a movement focused on simplicity, sustainability, and self-care that’s good for both people and planet.

Founded by a mother-daughter duo in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Lola Arnao creates concentrated, plastic-free skincare products designed specifically for people with sensitive skin.

Each product is handcrafted in small batches, formulated with plant-based ingredients, and wrapped in sustainable, low-waste packaging.

We spoke with Angela Gargano, Lola Arnao’s co-founder, a wellness e...

Every year, universities across the world throw away thousands of pounds of perfectly good food, from untouched entrees to overproduced menu items.

For Raccoon Eyes AI, a startup born out of Georgia Tech, this isn’t just a statistic. It’s a challenge to be solved through data, design, and behavioral science.

Founded by a group of engineering students who turned their senior capstone project into a full-fledged impact company, Raccoon Eyes helps dining halls measure, understand, and reduce food waste through a blend of smart hardware, analytics, and playful behavioral nudges.

Re...

Mural Pay’s founder, Sinclair Toffa, joins Disruptors for GOOD to share how stablecoins and programmable payments can rewire cross-border money movement for businesses, creators, and marketplaces.

From early inspiration in West Africa to on-the-ground deployments with global platforms, Sinclair explains why faster settlement, lower fees, and end-to-end transparency are changing what is possible for millions of people who work and sell across borders.

Episode highlights:

On this episode of Disruptors for GOOD, I sits down with Kevin Barenblat, Co-founder of Fast Forward, to unpack how the nonprofit accelerator is helping mission driven teams use technology, and now AI, to scale impact.

From the early days of tech nonprofits to a new wave of AI powered organizations, Kevin shares what he is seeing on the ground, what the 2025 AI for Humanity Report reveals, and how philanthropy can help the sector move faster and more responsibly.

Fast Forward launched the first accelerator dedicated to tech nonprofits and has now supported more than 100...

Trusty is building a simple, human way to pass down more than money. In this episode, Trusty co-founder and CEO Randy Frisch joins to share how a digital Letter of Wishes, paired with AI and secure sharing, can reduce confusion for families, bring advisors into the loop, and preserve the stories behind the things we love.

Key takeaways

Hey friends,

Welcome back to Funding Rounds, where we break down the week’s most impactful startup and venture funding announcements—highlighting the mission, the money, and the impact behind it all.

This week, over $1 billion was invested across public safety tech, clean energy, autism care, robotics, carbon removal, and more. Let’s get into it.

First Due Secures $355 Million to Scale Public Safety Software

Funding: $355 Million
Goal: Expand public safety and emergency response software solutions
Impact: Empowering first responders with technology to improve community safety

🔗 Read more...

In this episode of Disruptors for GOOD, host Grant Trahant speaks with Jorge Richardson, co-founder and CEO of Hope Hydration, a startup on a mission to make free water universally accessible—powered by beautiful, connected hardware and backed by advertisers.

Fresh off a $20 million Series A funding round, Jorge shares how Hope is transforming how people interact with hydration infrastructure by combining smart IoT technology, elegant design, and ad-driven revenue models.

Their refill stations are already popping up in airports, stadiums, and major cities, with big plans ahead.

It’s a powerful mix of h...

Varda Raises $187M Series C to Manufacture Medicine in Space 🚀

Funding: $187 million
Goal: Bring zero-gravity biomanufacturing to commercial scale
Impact: Creating life-saving therapies that can only be made in orbit
🔗 Learn more

AWAKE Chocolate Lands $8M CAD to Fuel Functional Chocolate Growth 🍫

Funding: $8 million CAD
Goal: Expand caffeinated chocolate snacks as an alternative to energy drinks
Impact: Blending deliciousness and wellness in every bite
🔗 Learn more

SHIFT Invest Hits €92M First Close for Impact Fund 🌏

Funding: €92 million
Goal: Back circular economy, f...

Carbon to Sea Initiative Commits $4M to Ocean Carbon Removal R&D

Funding: $4 million joint investment with MEOPAR
Goal: Advance research on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal in Canada
Impact: Unlocking ocean tech as a scalable solution for climate mitigation
🔗 Read more

Trusty Raises $1M to Redefine Estate Planning with AI

Funding: $1 million pre-seed round
Goal: Build modern, AI-powered Letters of Wishes for families and advisors
Impact: Making legacy planning more accessible, personalized, and human
🔗 Read more

Bilt Raises $250M to Accelerate Community-Centric Housing

<...

Hey friends,

After 10 incredible years of building Causeartist solo, I’m excited to share something personal with you.

Last year, some amazing partners who believe deeply in the mission and future of Causeartist reached out. I knew from the initial conversation it was the right fit.

The Pay It Forward Company (PIF) has officially acquired Causeartist, and I couldn’t be more energized about what this means for the next decade.

What’s changing?
Nothing about the core mission or voice will change. I’m still the foun...

Fiber Global Raises $20M to Scale Circular Building Materials

Funding: $20 million Series A
Goal: Expand production of sustainable materials that reduce construction waste
Impact: Tackling industrial emissions and advancing the circular economy

Read more →

Lumion Secures $10M to Power the Future of Trade Schools

Funding: $10 million seed round
Goal: Build an operating system to modernize vocational education
Impact: Addressing the skilled labor gap through better tech and infrastructure

Read more →

Swen Capital Raises $183M for Ocean Impact Ventures

In episode 230 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Angela O’Brien, founder and creative director of Cleobella, an ethical fashion brand rooted in global inspiration, artisan partnership, and sustainability.

What began as a dream during a year-long adventure through Southeast Asia in 2006 has grown into a globally recognized brand celebrated for its craftsmanship, transparency, and commitment to empowering women.

In our conversation, Angela shares the remarkable 20-year journey behind Cleobella, the brand’s ethos, and how deep, long-standing artisan partnerships have shaped every collection.

Angela’s early...

In this episode of Disruptors for GOOD, I sit down with Brian Sheng, the co-founder and CEO of Aquaria, to explore how his company is reshaping the future of water access.

At a time when nearly 30 million Americans are affected by water scarcity each year—and our infrastructure is failing to keep up—Aquaria offers a revolutionary solution: extracting clean, reliable water directly from the air.

Brian shares how an unexpected path led him into the world of climate tech, why aging water systems are a ticking time bomb, and how Aquaria is making water inde...

In episode 228 of the Disruptors for GOOD Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder & CEO of Acumen on her global journey that led her from the world of international banking to the heart of social entrepreneurship—beginning in Rwanda, and now reaching 650+ million lives through Acumen’s work around the world.

From Chase Bank to Kigali: A Journey Rooted in Empathy

Jacqueline’s journey began not with a grand strategy, but with a moment of clarity while working in Rwanda in the late 1980s, where she he...

Welcome to another episode of the Investing in Impact podcast. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Andy Kuper, Founder and CEO of LeapFrog Investments, a pioneering firm that has reshaped how global capital can drive profit with purpose.

Dr. Andy Kuper, founder and CEO of LeapFrog Investments, has redefined how private capital can create meaningful change. Since launching the firm in 2007, Kuper has led with a bold vision: to deliver "Profit with Purpose" by investing in businesses that generate strong returns while solving real-world challenges across Asia and Africa.

📈 Impact at Scale: 537 Million Lives Reached

In episode 227, we’re diving into a powerful conversation about reproductive health and a movement that’s transforming the prenatal wellness space for both women and men. I’m joined by the incredible minds behind WeNatal, a supplement brand designed to shift the fertility narrative — from a woman-only issue to a couple’s shared journey.

When it comes to fertility and prenatal care, the focus has long been solely on women — but what about the other half of the equation?

That question sparked a movement in reproductive health and wellness, led by two best friends who turned p...

Today, I'm joined by Howard Fischer, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of Gratitude Railroad, to discuss his journey from Wall Street to impact investing and how Gratitude Railroad is building a community-driven approach to fund entrepreneurs creating lasting social and environmental change.

Prior to his work in impact investing, Howard spent over 30 years in traditional finance as the Founder and CEO of Basso Capital Management, a hedge fund specializing in convertible securities.

He previously held senior trading roles at Smith Barney, Drexel Burnham Lambert, and Cohen Feit & Company, and began his career as...

In episode 226 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Aaron Neiderhiser, CEO and Co-Founder, of Tuva Health, on transforming healthcare data with an innovative open-source model.

By providing healthcare organizations with a robust and cost-effective solution, Tuva Health enables researchers, analysts, and engineers to streamline their data processes and extract critical insights with ease.

Tuva Health takes a novel approach to healthcare data with its Hybrid Data Platform, offering organizations the flexibility to build and control their data infrastructure without starting from scratch.

By leveraging...

In episode 225 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Melinda Lee and Mallory Barrett, founders of Parcel Health, on creating pharmaceutical packaging solutions that protect people and preserve the planet.

Each Parcel Health package is crafted with compostable paper and protected with Parcel Coat™, ensuring that medications remain safe while the packaging remains 100% recyclable and even food-safe.

Parcel Health’s mission is clear: to create pharmaceutical packaging solutions that protect people and preserve the planet.

Parcel Health is redefining the future of pharmaceutical packaging. Every product the comp...

Dr. Jeannie Annan is the Senior Vice President and Chief Research and Innovation Officer at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations. The IRC responds to the worst humanitarian crises, helping people whose lives have been shattered by conflict, disaster, and persecution to survive, recover, and rebuild their futures. Operating in over 40 countries and in 28 U.S. cities, the IRC combines lifesaving support with long-term development strategies, impacting millions of lives each year.

Dr. Annan co-founded the Airbel Impact Lab, which serves as the IRC’s research and inno...

In episode 223 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Savage, a founding member and VP of Sustainability at Lime, on growing the companies sustainability efforts alongside its revenue growth.

In 2017, Lime emerged as a fresh face in urban transportation, reimagining how we navigate our cities with electric scooters and bikes. Since then, the company has rapidly expanded its reach, currently operating in over 250 markets worldwide.

At the heart of Lime’s journey is a dedication to sustainability, balancing rapid growth with environmentally conscious practices and innovations in battery te...

In episode 222 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Justin Barad, MD, CEO of Osso VR. We explored how his groundbreaking virtual reality platform is transforming surgical training, improving healthcare outcomes, and setting new standards in medical education worldwide.

Traditional surgical training methods, while foundational, often face limitations in scalability, accessibility, and adaptability to new technologies. Enter Osso VR, a groundbreaking platform that leverages virtual reality (VR) to revolutionize surgical training and assessment.

By providing immersive, hands-on experiences, Osso VR is setting new standards in medical education, ensuring that...

Today, instead of our regular program, we wanted to play an episode from System Catalysts, a podcast about the incredible people who are fixing the broken systems that run the world. English Sall talks to the people behind One Acre Fund, an organization that supports smallholder farmers in Africa through a brilliant social enterprise model. They discuss how to build trust across sectors, something I think all social entrepreneurs should learn to do. 

If you like what you hear, don’t forget to follow this link to subscribe to System Catalysts and listen to more episodes. 

In episode 221 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jon Nevett, CEO of Public Interest Registry (PIR), on running the .org domain registry, internet governance, and the .org Impact Awards.

In this conversation, Jon Nevett shares his journey from a legal background to the technology sector, specifically focusing on his role at the Public Interest Registry (PIR). He discusses the mission of PIR, which operates the .org domain and supports nonprofits globally.

The conversation also highlights the importance of domain names for organizations, the significance of the .org Impact...

In episode 220 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Derwin Sisnett, Founder and CEO of Adaptive Commons, on addressing the urgent need for affordable housing for essential workers by reimagining and rebuilding forgotten spaces into high-quality homes.

About Derwin Sisnett

Derwin Sisnett is the founder and CEO of Adaptive Commons, a pioneering real estate development and investment firm focused on transforming public spaces for the greater good.

Before establishing Adaptive Commons, Derwin co-founded and led Maslow Development Inc., a firm dedicated to advising, designing, and...

In episode 219 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, on the company's mission to create positive change through the joy of travel.

For many conscious travelers, the journey now extends beyond personal enjoyment to include responsible and sustainable choices that benefit both local communities and the environment.

This is where Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company and a certified B Corp, comes into the spotlight.

With over 35 years of experience, Intrepid Travel has pioneered small group ad...

In episode 218 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Vanessa Barboni Hallik, Founder and CEO of Another Tomorrow, on her journey from finance to fashion and the mission behind the sustainable luxury brand.

About Another Tomorrow

Born from Vanessa’s desire to create a more sustainable future, Another Tomorrow offers a modern approach to fashion. After a successful career in emerging markets finance, Vanessa took a sabbatical to explore sustainable finance. However, during her research, she uncovered alarming truths about the apparel industry’s impact on peop...

In episode 217 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Caroline Whistler, CEO and Co-Founder of Third Sector, on the organization's mission to transform government funding for social impact.

Founded in 2011, Third Sector is a national nonprofit organization that works with government agencies, community-based organizations, and philanthropic partners to catalyze change and confront inequities.

As a technical assistance organization, Third Sector advises its partners on reshaping policies, systems, and services to ensure they are designed with the community’s needs at the forefront.

With a track record of wo...

In episode 216 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Suwha Hong, CEO of Indego Africa, on empowering female artisans with vocational skills, business acumen, and crucial access to global markets, transforming them into self-sufficient entrepreneurs.

Since its inception in 2007, Indego Africa has been at the forefront of fostering the creation, growth, and sustainability of women-owned businesses across Africa. With a focus on empowering female artisans, Indego Africa equips its partners with vocational skills, business acumen, and crucial access to global markets, transforming them into self-sufficient entrepreneurs.

...

In episode 215 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jayce Newton, the Director of Impact at Liquid IV. Jayce shared his inspiring journey and the mission-driven initiatives of Liquid IV aimed at expanding clean water access.

With a strong commitment to making a tangible difference, Liquid I.V. is not just a company but a movement dedicated to addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time: water insecurity.

As of 2024, they have donated 55 million servings of Liquid I.V. in over 90 countries.

Takeaways

2.2...

In episode 214 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, I speak with Hedvig Alexander, Co-Founder of Powered by People, on bridging the gap between artisans and global buyers through modern technology and tools.

Hedvig, the co-founder of Powered by People, shares her journey from being a Danish army captain to becoming an entrepreneur. She discusses how her passion for social change and her background in the military and non-profit sector led her to start her first business, Far and Wide. However, she realized that the business had limitations and decided to start Powered by People with her...

In episode 213 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, I speak with Ash Bhardwaj, President and CEO, of Onx Homes, on disrupting the homebuilding industry in a sustainable way.

Key Takeaways from Interview

In episode 212 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, I speak with Sanchali Pal, Founder & CEO at Commons, on helping people make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives. The app focuses on meeting people where they are and helping them make better choices when it comes to shopping.

The app provides information on brands that are more sustainable and offers rewards for making sustainable choices. It also allows users to offset their carbon emissions through carbon projects. The goal of Commons is to make sustainable shopping mainstream and to help people make more confident and secure choices...