Impact Innovators at the Fireside

Arje Cahn
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How do ambitious innovators turn some of the world's biggest problems into tomorrow's breakthrough businesses? Around a crackling campfire deep in the woods, tech founders share their journey from global challenge to game-changing solution. Host Arjé Cahn, who built his own startup into a unicorn before becoming an impact investor, digs deep into what really works. Raw, thoughtful conversations about building companies that matter.

Episodes

  1. AI Tackling the Caregiver Crisis with Raphael Rubens of MemoMate

    06/11/2025

    AI Tackling the Caregiver Crisis with Raphael Rubens of MemoMate

    Looking for practical AI applications that actually make a positive impact on the world, I ran into Raphael Rubens, MemoMate's CEO. When Rafael realized his grandparents' Holocaust survival stories might be lost forever, he built an AI to interview his grandmother. He found out that interacting with an AI was quite comfortable for her. So he decided to dig into the world of AI applications for elderly care. To truly understand his users, Raphael was so bold as to move into an American senior living community for two months. As a 20-something startup founder, he ate breakfast with 80-year-olds, attended their lectures, and lived their daily reality. Through this experience, he uncovered a deeper issue than he'd initially set out to solve. Sure, people loved sharing their life stories with AI, but the real problem was something else: caregivers drowning in so much paperwork they barely had time for actual human connection. Here was a clear market problem to go solve. By 2040, nearly one-third of our population will be over 65, but we'll have less than half the caregivers we need. That's not a distant problem - that's a crisis happening right now. In this episode, Rafael shares how MemoMate evolved from a biography tool to an AI assistant that's tackling one of society's biggest challenges. This is exactly the kind of practical AI application we need - one that starts with the problem, not the solution. (00:00) - AI Tackling the Caregiver Crisis with Raphael Rubens of Memomate (02:13) - Personal story about grandparents and Holocaust survival (05:31) - Reflecting on Past Failures (05:41) - Facebook for dead people (06:49) - Grandmother's ChatGPT (12:13) - Living in a Senior Community (12:49) - Moving there (13:57) - Living in the Community for Research (16:19) - Exploring New Use Cases (20:19) - Surveys (21:49) - Transition to Phone-Based Surveys (23:44) - AI Integration and Compliance (26:08) - Work life balance of inhabitants and staff (27:05) - Double edged nature of tech (30:34) - Future Vision and Expansion (31:31) - Advice for Entrepreneurs Relevant Links🤖 MemoMate (https://memomate.app/)🔗 LinkedIn: Rafael Rubens (https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelrubens/)🔗 LinkedIn: Arjé Cahn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/)Connect With Us🔥 Podcast Website (https://www.impactinnovators.com) Note: This episode was recorded in February 2025. Regulations and market conditions discussed may have evolved since recording.

    33 min
  2. Disrupting Car Culture with Selana and the Bondi Boys

    04/29/2025

    Disrupting Car Culture with Selana and the Bondi Boys

    In this episode of Impact Innovators at the Fireside, we sit down with Chingiskhan Kazakhstan and Max Schalow, the determined founders of SELANA and Bondi. From their chance meeting over shared Chinese takeout as international students to becoming pioneers in sustainable urban mobility, they share their remarkable five-year journey to create the Netherlands' first legal e-scooter. Around our campfire, we explore how these innovators persevered through shifting regulations, financial challenges, and multiple moments of near-defeat to transform urban transportation. They reveal how their vision extends beyond just selling e-scooters – they're building a future where shared, sustainable vehicles replace car dependency in cities worldwide. The conversation dives into critical questions about safety concerns, battery recycling, and how to measure real environmental impact. We also discuss their bold vision for cities in 2040 – spaces with zero traffic deaths, autonomous transport, and vibrant, car-free public areas. Join us for an authentic look at the intersection of environmental impact, regulatory innovation, and the resilient entrepreneurial spirit driving meaningful change in how we move through our cities. (00:00) - Disrupting Car Culture with Selana and the Bondi Boys (02:33) - Early Days (03:40) - Birth of the Mobility Idea (06:00) - Downsides of Car Ownership, Pollution (07:33) - Launching from The Netherlands (11:37) - Market Research and Competition (13:12) - From Bike Sharing to Estep Sharing (14:12) - Learning from the Competition (16:22) - Future Plans and Expansion (17:50) - Demo ride (19:09) - Product Tech (21:36) - Taking cars off the road (25:56) - Longevity and Sustainability (26:54) - Battery Replacement and Recycling (28:38) - Impact on Urban Mobility (29:48) - Oh Shit Moments (31:52) - Team Dynamics and Growth (33:39) - Production and Quality Control (34:15) - "That's What Makes us Keep Working" Relevant Links🛴 SELANA Creating road-legal e-scooters and sustainable mobility solutionsFeatured Guests 🔗 LinkedIn: Chinghiskhan Kazakhstan🔗 LinkedIn: Max Schalow🔗 LinkedIn: Arjé CahnConnect With Us 🔥 Podcast WebsiteNote: This episode was recorded in late 2024. Regulations and market conditions discussed may have evolved since recording. Production credits and thanks yous:Music by Allerd van den Bremen

    35 min
  3. Teaching AI to Save Humanity with Buster Franken of Fruitpunch.AI

    01/27/2025

    Teaching AI to Save Humanity with Buster Franken of Fruitpunch.AI

    What if we could harness AI's immense power not for profit maximization, but to solve humanity's greatest challenges? In this intimate fireside conversation, Buster Franken, founder of Fruitpunch AI, reveals how he's building a global community of 4,500 AI engineers dedicated to tackling critical world problems. From developing facial recognition for seals to detect ecosystem health, to exposing industrial polluters through AI-powered monitoring, Buster's engineers are proving that technology can be a powerful force for good. But this isn't just another tech success story – it's about a fundamental shift in how we approach artificial intelligence and its role in society. Recorded by the warmth of a wood stove in our forest cabin, this thoughtful discussion explores: How AI is being used to protect endangered species and monitor environmental violationsThe power of challenge-based learning in developing real-world AI solutionsWhy Buster believes we need 1 million AI engineers by 2030 to "change the course of humanity"The journey from non-profit to sustainable business model while maintaining impactWhether you're an engineer looking to make a difference or simply curious about technology's potential to solve global challenges, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insights into how we can harness AI for the greater good. Location: Recorded in a forest setting in The Netherlands Chapters 🤝 Fruitpunch Community - Join 4,500+ AI engineers making an impact: https://www.fruitpunch.ai/ 🤖 For Tech Leaders & CTO - Partner with Fruitpunch for impact-driven AI training: https://www.fruitpunch.ai/partners 🎯 Fruitpunch AI Challenges - Join upcoming challenges: https://app.fruitpunch.ai/challenges🎓 UN Sustainable Development Goals - Learn about the goals driving their mission: sdgs.un.org/goals 📱 Follow Buster Franken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buster-franken/ 📱 Follow Arjé Cahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/ Note: This episode was recorded in late 2024. Regulations and market conditions discussed may have evolved since recording. Production credits and thanks yous:Music by Allerd van den BremenProduction by Peter van Dijk, podcastvoorbedrijven.nl Disclosure: Through Shamrock Ventures, the host has invested in some of the companies featured on this podcast, including Fruitpunch.ai.

    35 min
  4. Defeating Digital Distraction with Caroline Cadwell of Unpluq

    12/18/2024

    Defeating Digital Distraction with Caroline Cadwell of Unpluq

    In this episode of Impact Innovators, we dive deep into the battle against digital distraction with Caroline Cadwell, co-founder of Unpluq. After experiencing burnout from constant digital interruptions in her own tech career, Caroline set out to solve one of modern life's most pervasive challenges: our inability to disconnect from our phones. Rather than advocating for digital abstinence, Caroline shares Unpluq's innovative approach: using physical technology to help us make more intentional choices about our screen time. The results speak for themselves - users save an average of 82 minutes daily for offline activities, with lasting behavioral change that extends far beyond the typical app retention rates.We explore the fascinating evolution of our attention crisis, from the rise of 24/7 news to today's algorithmic content feeds. Caroline offers unique insights into why traditional digital wellness solutions fail and how adding physical friction to our phone use might be the key to reclaiming our attention. Whether you're a tech professional questioning your relationship with technology, a parent concerned about screen time, or simply someone who's ever fallen into a two-hour social media vortex after checking the time, this episode offers practical wisdom for breaking free from digital distraction while staying connected to technology's benefits. Key Topics: The psychology behind digital distractionWhy adding friction to technology can lead to better habitsHow the attention economy shapes our behaviorPractical solutions for maintaining digital wellnessThe future of human-technology interactionChapters: (00:00) - Introduction: The Social Media Vortex (00:18) - Meet Caroline Cadwell: The Tech Pioneer (01:22) - The Problem of Digital Distraction (03:02) - Caroline's Journey to Unpluq (05:56) - How Unpluq Works (12:21) - The Evolution of Media Consumption (23:11) - The Future of Digital Wellness (31:01) - Unpluq's Mission and Fundraising 🎧 Subscribe to Impact Innovators at the Fireside: https://impactinnovators.transistor.fm/🔄 Break free from distraction with Unpluq: https://unpluq.com💰 Join Unpluq's investment round: https://wefunder.com/unpluq🎯 Follow Caroline Cadwell https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinecadwell/🧠 Center for Humane Technology - Understanding the attention economy: https://www.humanetech.com📱 Follow Arjé Cahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/ **Production credits and thanks yous:**Music by Allerd van den Bremen

    34 min
  5. The Carbon Credit Dilemma with Kees van Santen, co-founder of Cawa

    12/10/2024

    The Carbon Credit Dilemma with Kees van Santen, co-founder of Cawa

    In this captivating fireside conversation, host Arjé Cahn sits down with Kees van Santen, founder of Cawa, to explore the complex world of voluntary carbon credits and the quest for genuine climate impact. Against the backdrop of a crackling campfire in the Dutch forest, they dive deep into the challenges and opportunities in the carbon credit market. Key Discussion Points: The real mathematics behind carbon sequestrationThe critical difference between carbon removal and avoidance creditsThe current state of the voluntary carbon market and its transparency issuesHow intermediaries can take up to 80-85% of carbon credit value, leaving little for actual climate projectsCawa's mission to bring transparency and efficiency to carbon credit transactionsThe growing importance of ESG reporting and the EU's Green Claims DirectiveThe challenge of greenwashing and how regulatory frameworks are evolvingThe founder's "oh shit moment" when confronted with the reality of carbon credit tradingLocation: Recorded in a forest setting in The Netherlands Chapters👤 Follow Kees van Santen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kees-van-santen-606a22b2/ 🌿 Learn more about Cawa: https://www.cawa.tech/ 🔍 EU Green Claims Directive: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/circular-economy/green-claims_en 🌳 Gold Standard for Carbon Credits: https://www.goldstandard.org/ ✅ Verra Carbon Standard: https://verra.org/ 📱 Follow Arjé Cahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/ Referenced in Episode: EU ETS (Emissions Trading System): https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/eu-emissions-trading-system-eu-ets_enCSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive): https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_enNote: This episode was recorded in late 2024. Regulations and market conditions discussed may have evolved since recording. Production credits and thanks yous:Music by Allerd van den BremenProduction by Peter van Dijk, podcastvoorbedrijven.nl Disclosure: Through Shamrock Ventures, the host has invested in some of the companies featured on this podcast, including Cawa.

    1h 15m
  • 5 Episodes

About

How do ambitious innovators turn some of the world's biggest problems into tomorrow's breakthrough businesses? Around a crackling campfire deep in the woods, tech founders share their journey from global challenge to game-changing solution. Host Arjé Cahn, who built his own startup into a unicorn before becoming an impact investor, digs deep into what really works. Raw, thoughtful conversations about building companies that matter.

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