Abby by GoGoTech Aims to Disrupt the Scarcity Model in the Wheelchair Industry with Affordable, High-Tech Innovations
http://s4g.biz/21nov24
tl;dr:
John DeBenedette created Abby, a smart wheelchair, to address global mobility challenges innovatively.
Today’s episode highlights Abby’s hybrid design, combining manual functionality with smart, cloud-based features.
John emphasizes affordability, aiming to disrupt the wheelchair industry’s scarcity model and high pricing.
Leveraging his software expertise, John built Abby’s first new wheelchair controller since the 1980s.
Abby’s crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine invites impact investors to support its transformative mission.
http://superpowers4good.com
#ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SuperCrowd #mobility #mobilityaids
S2 E31 - Crowd Investing: A Path to Empowering Communities and Building Wealth - Paul Lovejoy
Paul Lovejoy Shares Insights on Leveraging Impact Crowdfunding to Make a Difference and Achieve Financial Security
http://s4g.biz/19nov24
tl;dr:
Paul Lovejoy shared his passion for investing, sparked by childhood curiosity and personal experiences.
Today’s episode revealed Paul’s transformative journey from financial trauma to embracing impact investing.
Paul highlighted peer-to-peer lending and Regulation Crowdfunding as tools for creating social and financial change.
Paul’s approach emphasizes investing in income-producing assets to build wealth and sustain communities.
He advocates guiding and inspiring others with love, respect, and thoughtful questions to empower success.
http://superpowers4good.com
#ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SuperCrowd
S2 E30 - Revolutionizing Tech with Gallium Nitride - How Mivium Aims to Make 'Do More with Less' a Re
Mivium's Game-Changing Gallium Nitride Tech Seeks to Outperform Silicon, Reducing Toxicity and Enhancing Efficiency for Data Centers and AI Applications
http://s4g.biz/14nov24
tl;dr:
Eric Tsai’s Mivium focuses on gallium nitride (GaN) to replace silicon, improving efficiency and sustainability.
GaN's fast-switching properties make devices smaller, more powerful, and less energy-intensive.
Mivium’s unique, clean GaN production process avoids the toxic materials typical in semiconductors.
Nevada’s tech-friendly policies support Mivium’s plans to establish a new “gallium valley” in Reno.
By crowdfunding, Eric brings everyday investors into Mivium’s journey, making early-stage investing accessible.
http://superpowers4good.com
#ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SuperCrowd #gallium
S2 E29 - Tackling the Food Waste Crisis with Robotics: How ZeroDay’s Tech Revolutionizes Urban Susta
CEO Maneesa Wijesinghe-Nelken Leads ZeroDay in Transforming Food Waste Management with Cutting-Edge Automation
tl;dr:
Today’s episode highlights ZeroDay’s robotic solution that compresses food waste into sustainable, compact blocks.
Maneesa explains how ZeroDay’s technology reduces landfill waste and methane emissions significantly.
ZeroDay’s automation helps urban buildings manage food waste more efficiently, saving labor and operational costs.
Maneesa’s unshakeable optimism drives her to overcome challenges and create impactful technology solutions.
ZeroDay is currently piloting its waste management technology with business customers across New York City.
http://superpowers4good.com
#socialentrepreneurs
S2 E28 - Graze Robotics CEO Logan Fahey Franz: Transforming Lawn Care with Robotics for Environmenta
How Autonomous Robots by Graze Robotics Are Revolutionizing Solar Fields and Golf Courses While Tackling Labor Shortages
http://s4g.biz/07nov24
tl;dr:
In today’s episode, Logan Fahey Franz shares insights into Graze Robotics' eco-friendly, autonomous robotic mowers, which are transforming large-scale landscaping for golf courses, solar fields, and municipalities.
Logan highlights Graze Robotics' unique night-mowing capability, which increases efficiency for solar fields, where mowing during the day would interfere with panel orientation toward the sun.
Addressing labor shortages and rising environmental standards, Logan emphasizes how Graze’s robots reduce costs, enable workforce reallocation to higher-value tasks and comply with local noise and emissions regulations.
Logan’s journey from nonprofit social enterprises to leading a high-tech robotics company demonstrates his passion for integrating sustainability and social good with business, especially through innovative, scalable solutions.
For those interested in impact investing, Logan invites potential investors to explore Graze Robotics’ offerings, which remain accessible to both traditional and crowd investors through ongoing investment opportunities.
http://superpowers4good.com
#ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SucperCrowd
S2 E27 - Empowering Gen Z to Amplify Voices from Post-Conflict Communities
How BizGees Engages Young People to Create Awareness and Change Through Arts for Refugees
http://s4g.biz/05nov24
tl;dr:
Empowering Gen Z for Social Impact: In this episode, Zufi Deo discusses how BizGees engages Gen Z to create user-generated content that raises awareness about post-conflict communities, fostering a unique "by Gen Z, for Gen Z" model of social involvement.
Building Passionate Communities: Zufi’s superpower lies in his ability to unite people and inspire them to act on causes they believe in. He recounted organizing business mentorships in London to support thousands of entrepreneurs, highlighting the power of collective passion.
Human-Centric Engagement: A central theme in today’s conversation was the emphasis on treating people as human beings, not numbers. Zufi shared that this approach, though more time-consuming and costly, leads to deeper connections and more impactful results.
Personal Stories to Drive Connection: The episode featured moving examples of individuals who, through Arts for Refugees, not only gained support but contributed their experiences to educate and inform others, illustrating the profound peer-to-peer learning model in action.
Social Enterprise for Sustainable Change: BizGees, described as a hybrid social enterprise, showcases how for-profit structures can be leveraged to support meaningful social outcomes, combining the resources of capitalism with a mission to foster global awareness and empathy.
http://superpowers4good.com
S2 E26 - Amplifying Impact: How Effective Giving Can Save Lives and Transform Communities - Frank Fr
Philanthropy Today Can Be 100 Times More Effective—Frank Fredericks Explains How
http://s4g.biz/31oct24
tl;dr:
In today’s episode, Frank Fredericks highlighted the transformative impact of effective giving, explaining how directing funds to the most effective charities can multiply the impact of each dollar by up to a hundred times.
Frank described how One for the World leverages research by organizations like GiveWell to identify charities with proven life-saving outcomes, particularly those focused on issues like malaria prevention and childhood nutrition.
The conversation underscored the power of targeted philanthropic strategies, with Frank emphasizing cost-effectiveness metrics, such as dollars per life saved, as a critical measure for meaningful impact.
Reflecting on the global decline in poverty and preventable diseases, Frank conveyed optimism that, with continued support, these challenges could be largely eradicated within a generation.
Frank encouraged donors to keep an open, evolving approach to philanthropy, continually assessing new evidence to maximize impact and achieve sustainable change on a global scale.
http://superpowers4good.com
S2 E25 - ‘Stop Spit Polishing a Landmine’ - Jess Pettitt on Meaningful Workplace Inclusion
Insights on Bridging the Gap Between Effort and Impact in Fostering Belonging
http://s4g.biz/29oct24
tl;dr:
In today’s episode, Jess Pettitt shares insights from her new book, Almost Doing Good, exploring how well-intentioned efforts in workplaces often falter due to unpreparedness or knee-jerk reactions.
Jess emphasizes the importance of recognizing “problems you don’t experience,” encouraging leaders to approach challenges they may not personally face with empathy and understanding.
To make lasting impact, Jess advocates for thoughtful, prepared responses rather than relying on superficial, one-size-fits-all solutions that can cause more harm than good.
Humor, Jess’s superpower, becomes a powerful tool to bridge understanding and ease tension, especially around sensitive topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Jess uses relatable humor to invite people into uncomfortable conversations, transforming resistance and defensiveness into openness and genuine curiosity.
https://open.substack.com/chat/posts/...
http://superpowers4good.com
S2 E24 - Polio Eradication: A Historic Opportunity for Global Health - Carol Pandak of Rotary Intern
Rotary's Commitment to End Polio, Led by Carol Pandak, Marks a Milestone in Global Public Health
http://s4g.biz/24oct24
tl;dr:
In today’s episode, Carol Pandak emphasized the critical role of persistence and hard work in driving the progress of polio eradication, which Rotary International has been committed to since 1979.
Carol shared that the eradication of polio is achievable, much like smallpox, through vaccination efforts that stop the transmission of the virus among children, particularly under the age of five.
Despite significant progress, with only 36 cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2024, Carol stressed that continued effort is necessary to eliminate the wild poliovirus.
A new oral polio vaccine introduced in 2021 has significantly reduced vaccine-derived polio cases, demonstrating the power of innovation and global partnerships, including the Gates Foundation’s contributions.
Carol highlighted a remarkable success in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza to immunize 560,000 children, showcasing the extraordinary global collaboration required to continue these efforts, even in conflict zones.
http://superpowers4good.com
#worldpolioday #endpolionow #serviceaboveself #rotary #rotary #peopleofaction
Founder Ana Aguilar Raises $84,000 Through Honeycomb Credit to Bring Authentic Mexican Cuisine to Nashville
http://s4g.biz/22oct24
tl;dr:
In today’s episode, Ana Aguilar, Founder and CEO of Tantisimo, discussed her successful crowdfunding campaign, which raised $84,000 on Honeycomb Credit to support her restaurant expansion.
Ana highlighted the importance of community support and the extensive preparation required before launching a crowdfunding campaign, including leveraging personal and professional networks.
She shared details of Tantisimo’s journey from a pop-up serving Latin American pastries to its forthcoming full-scale restaurant in Nashville, projecting significant revenue growth.
Ana emphasized resilience and optimism as her superpower, which helped her navigate unexpected challenges, such as a costly HVAC setback during the restaurant build-out.
She advised setting boundaries to maintain a positive mindset and focusing on problem-solving rather than dwelling on doubts to cultivate resilience in entrepreneurship.
http://superpowers4good.com
#ImpactCrowdfunding #DiverseFounders #SocialEntrepreneurs #CommunityCapital #ImpactInvestors #RIC #InvestmentCrowdfunding #SuperCrowd
S2 E22 - The Power of Storytelling in Crowdfunding Videos
How Alex Portera Helps Founders Craft Videos That Connect With Investors on an Emotional Level
http://s4g.biz/17oct24
tl;dr:
In today's episode, Alex Portera emphasized the importance of using video as a powerful storytelling tool in crowdfunding campaigns, highlighting that video engages multiple senses, allowing for a more emotional and impactful pitch.
Alex explained how his company, Rally On Media, helps businesses craft concise, emotionally resonant videos by focusing on the essential elements of the story, avoiding the common mistake of overloading viewers with information.
A key process Alex uses to develop compelling stories is "story finding," a method where he and his team dive deep into a company to identify the moments that evoke strong emotional reactions, which they then incorporate into the video narrative.
Alex shared an anecdote about working with EpiOne, a company raising funds to detect cancer early. His storytelling blended the founder's personal loss with the company's mission, creating a narrative that resonated deeply with investors, leading Alex to invest in the campaign himself.
For those with limited budgets, Alex provided practical tips for creating professional-looking videos using smartphones and affordable equipment, stressing the importance of focusing on storytelling and following key compliance guidelines for crowdfunding campaigns.
http://superpowers4good.com
S2 E21 - The Power of Education: A Pathway to Redemption - Kevin Shird
Kevin Shird's Journey Highlights How Education Transforms Lives Even in the Darkest Moments
http://s4g.biz/15oct24
tl;dr:
Kevin Shird shared the transformative power of education during his time in prison, which he credits for changing his life and helping him become a contributor to society.
In this episode, Kevin contrasts his journey with that of his former cellmate, Damien, whose struggles with trauma, addiction, and lack of support led him back to prison.
Kevin emphasizes that doing the work and making sacrifices have been central to his success, highlighting his relentless dedication to writing, education, and helping others.
He recounted a pivotal moment when he was invited to speak at the United States Conference of Mayors about the opioid crisis, marking a turning point in his journey from drug trafficking to being a voice for change.
Kevin’s advice for success is simple: focus, sacrifice, and ignore distractions, as consistent effort will ultimately lead to meaningful results and personal growth.
http://superpowers4good.com
Co-Founder of All Better Co. Shares Her Vision for Eco-Friendly First Aid Products and Building a $400 Million Business
http://s4g.biz/10oct24
tl;dr:
Stacy Bernstein co-founded All Better Co. out of a personal need for safer, more effective first aid products, starting with her Don't Scratch That mosquito patch and pen.
All Better Co. is addressing a stagnant first aid market by offering innovative, eco-friendly products, such as their biodegradable bandages, free from harmful "forever chemicals."
Stacy and her co-founder bootstrapped the company and are now raising capital through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign, inviting people to invest in their vision.
The company is expanding into retail, with a focus on natural grocers, and has already gained a foothold in over 50 retail locations.
Stacy emphasizes the importance of community and connection in both business and life, viewing these as integral to All Better Co.’s growth and crowdfunding success.
http://superpowers4good.com
S2 E19 - The Secret to Successful Crowdfunding Campaigns, According to Marketing Expert Jason Fishma
In This Episode, I Uncover Jason Fishman’s Insight on How to Drive Traffic to Your Reg CF Campaign and Why Social Proof Is Key to Success
http://s4g.biz/08oct24
tl;dr:
Drive Traffic to Campaigns: Jason emphasized that driving significant traffic to crowdfunding pages is essential for success. He noted that most campaigns fail due to insufficient visitors.
Importance of Social Proof: Successful campaigns often showcase early traction, which builds credibility. Raising over $100K early on can help attract cold investors who have no prior connection to the campaign.
Targeted Marketing: Jason shared how targeted digital marketing, such as advertising to specific audiences like equity crowdfunding investors, is a powerful tool to reach the right prospects.
Proactive Founders: Jason highlighted that the most successful crowdfunding campaigns are led by founders who are highly proactive and engage deeply with their networks, rather than relying solely on third-party agencies.
Test and Optimize: Jason’s marketing philosophy revolves around constantly testing different approaches, learning from the results, and optimizing campaigns to achieve better performance.
http://superpowers4good.com
S2 E18 - Courage and Community: Kerry David’s Fight Against Injustice
Award-Winning Filmmaker Kerry David Shares the Power of Courageous Action in Her Latest Documentary, Now Open for Investment on WeFunder
http://s4g.biz/03oct24
In today's episode, Kerry David shared her experience transitioning from working at Paramount Pictures and with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman to starting her own production company and directing impactful documentaries.
Kerry discussed her latest project, "Open Secret," which explores systemic abuse in North Carolina schools and the courage of community members who fought against the corruption that enabled it.
Kerry emphasized her superpower of leaning into fear, recounting a challenging decision to change filming locations for safety during her previous project, demonstrating her ability to balance courage with prudence.
The episode highlighted Kerry's initiative in founding the nonprofit Over and Above Africa, which supports anti-poaching efforts and raises awareness through film.
Kerry explained her decision to use crowdfunding on WeFunder for her latest film to involve and empower communities nationwide to tackle systemic issues beyond North Carolina.
http://superpowers4good.com
S2 E17 - Empowering Beauty: Blushington's Journey to Franchising Success
Blushington, Led by CEO Natasha Cornstein, Expands Its Inclusive Beauty Services with a Franchise Model, Inviting Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Join the Growing Family
http://s4g.biz/01oct24
tl;dr:
Blushington, led by Natasha Cornstein, has pivoted and expanded its services, adding blowouts and wig styling to create a unique beauty experience that combines luxury and accessibility.
The company transitioned from corporate ownership to a franchise model, using the pandemic as an opportunity to reorganize and improve profitability, aiming for significant growth in the coming years.
Natasha emphasizes Blushington's commitment to inclusivity, ensuring all customers, regardless of background, feel welcome and comfortable in their beauty journey.
The new wig styling service originated from listening to customer needs, demonstrating Natasha's "power listening" approach to innovation and business growth.
Blushington launched its franchise sales in early 2024 and is focused on expanding across the Southeast, with the first franchise owned by a longtime customer, showcasing trust and validation of the brand.
http://superpowers4good.com
Bennett Kim Explains How ZNest Is Addressing The Challenges of Finding Senior Housing and Tackling Industry Labor Shortages
http://s4g.biz/11jun24 tl;dr:
1. Introduction and Guest Background: The show opens with host Devin welcoming guest Bennett Kim, an entrepreneur from ZNest, a company aiming to revolutionize how people find senior housing. Bennett is motivated by both personal and professional experiences, including senior housing development and his parents' aging.
2. Career Catalysts and Pandemic Insights: Bennett explains that his extensive experience in the senior housing industry and his parents' ages prompted him to start ZNest, especially during the pandemic. He wanted to create something meaningful in the latter part of his career and saw the existing senior housing search processes as problematic.
3. ZNest's Mission and Technology: Bennett outlines ZNest's mission to democratize data for senior housing. Unlike existing referral companies, ZNest aims to provide a comprehensive directory akin to Zillow or Apartments.com for senior housing, allowing families easier access to their options without biased referrals from companies prioritizing their profit margins.
4. Employment Issues in Senior Housing: Another focus of ZNest is addressing labor shortages and high attrition rates in senior housing. Bennett's team developed tech solutions, including a texting-based engagement service to keep job seekers engaged during the lengthy pre-boarding process. These profiles serve dual purposes: aiding in both employment and housing searches.
5. Crowdfunding and Future Directions: ZNest is raising funds on Wefunder to further develop its platform. They aim to reduce the reliance on costly referral fees and provide a more transparent and efficient process for both housing seekers and employers in the senior housing industry. Bennett encourages the audience to invest in ZNest via their Wefunder campaign.
http://superpowers4good.com
S1 E89 - Empowering Underserved Entrepreneurs with Kiva: A Conversation with Claudia Porras Scott
Discover How Kiva of Northwest Arkansas Is Transforming Lives Through Microloans and Community Support
http://s4g.biz/13jun24 tl;dr:
1. Introduction to Claudia Scott and Kiva in Arkansas: Claudia Scott, associated with Kiva in Arkansas, shares her journey from San Jose, Costa Rica, to becoming involved with Kiva through the Startup Junkie in Northwest Arkansas. She detailed her educational background and what led her to Kiva, emphasizing the personal fulfillment she finds in her role.
2. Kiva's Work in the U.S.: Claudia elaborated on Kiva’s expansion into the United States around 2011 and the establishment of hubs, including the one in Northwest Arkansas in 2019, which is supported by the Walton Family Foundation. She highlighted Kiva’s focus on historically underserved minorities and the significant impact in the area, including over 130 loans, primarily to women-owned businesses.
3. Crowdfunding and Loan Processes: Claudia explained Kiva’s dual-phase loan process (private and public). Local entrepreneurs in Arkansas are required to gather a certain number of pledges during the private phase, a practice rooted in community validation. She also discussed the significant support from the Walton Family Foundation, which helps match funds to expedite the fundraising process.
4. Startup Junkie and Kiva's Connection: Startup Junkie, which offers consulting and resources to entrepreneurs at no cost, complements Kiva's microloan services by providing smaller loans (e.g., $5,000) with no interest or fees to businesses that usually cannot access traditional bank loans. Claudia emphasized the symbiotic relationship between the services provided by Startup Junkie and Kiva’s focus on democratizing access to capital and resources for small businesses.
5. Personal Insights and Advocacy: Claudia opened up about her personal experiences with Tourette syndrome, using her journey to activism and her work with Tourette’s associations in the U.S. and Costa Rica to bring awareness and sensitivity to neurodiversity. Additionally, she shared her immigration story and the challenges she faced, advocating for greater empathy and understanding of the immigrant experience and highlighting the importance of humor and assuming positive intent in interactions.
http://superpowers4good.com
S1 E91 - From Breadfruit to Vodka: Chef Todd Manley’s Mission to Change the World
Discover How Chef Todd Manley Is Transforming Breadfruit Into a Tool for Environmental and Social Impact With Mutiny Island Vodka
http://s4g.biz/20jun24
tl;dr:
1. Introduction to Chef Todd Manley and Breadfruit Vodka: Chef Todd Manley, involved with Mutiny Island Vodka, introduces the project, which aims to create dramatic social and environmental impacts by using an underutilized fruit called breadfruit to make island vodka.
2. Discovery and Development of Breadfruit Vodka: Chef Todd shares how he came across breadfruit, initially considering it for his restaurant menu. The idea evolved after hurricanes hit his region, leading him and his business partner to experiment with breadfruit, eventually creating vodka from it.
3. Breadfruit's Versatility and Environmental Benefits: Breadfruit not only provides food security due to its superfood qualities but also sequesters significant amounts of CO2. It's being used for various products, including hummus, flour, and Goya brand tostones, endorsed for its numerous health and environmental benefits.
4. Caring as a Superpower: Chef Todd highlights his superpower of caring, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing community needs. He shares a personal story about mentoring an employee, pushing her to realize her potential, which later resulted in significant career success for her.
5. Community Investment and Future Potential of Breadfruit Products: Chef Todd explains the benefits of using Regulation Crowdfunding to raise awareness and capital. He invites the community to learn more about their project on StartEngine and connect via Instagram, aiming to turn everyone into breadfruit advocates and boost sustainable agricultural practices.
http://superpowers4good.com
NextPitch.tv Transforms How We Engage with Crowdfunding Campaigns
http://s4g.biz/18jun24 tl;dr:
1. Ralf Mandt is developing an innovative platform, NextPitch.tv, which aims to integrate the excitement of shows like Shark Tank with the interactive nature of equity crowdfunding, allowing viewers to invest directly in startup campaigns they find compelling.
2. Ralf's experience spans over 12 startups, highlighting his passion for entrepreneurship and his keen interest in digital solutions to scale businesses, such as transitioning from traditional inventory-heavy businesses to tech-driven models.
3. Despite early setbacks, including a cannabis-related crowdfunding campaign that was halted, Ralf's persistence in the equity crowdfunding space underscores his belief in its potential to democratize investment opportunities for startups beyond the traditional venture capital route.
4. NextPitch.tv seeks to showcase innovative equity crowdfunding campaigns in a user-friendly format where audiences can build custom portfolios and contribute to their favorites, focusing on the innovation of campaigns rather than the platforms that host them.
5. With the growth of equity crowdfunding showing significant potential, Ralf is actively seeking support through a "Test the Waters" campaign on Wefunder, aiming to aggregate sufficient interest to launch a full-scale Reg CF campaign and further solidify NextPitch.tv's place in the industry.
http://superpowers4good.com
