Paul Frasca - Sustainable Salons

About the Guest(s):Raz Razgaitis is the CEO of Flow Water, a company focused on providing clean and trustworthy drinking water solutions across the United States. With a background in tech and a decade spent running early-stage tech companies, Raz shifted his focus to address the systemic issues surrounding tap water quality. Through Flow Water, Raz aims to reduce dependency on single-use plastics and champion the notion that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right. The company, under his leadership, has reached the milestone of achieving 1 billion fills of Flow Water, establishing itself as a key player in water purification technology.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner converses with Raz Razgaitis, CEO of Flow Water, exploring the pivotal issues of water quality and infrastructure in the developed world. Despite the prevalent assumption that water-related challenges are exclusive to developing regions, Razgaitis reveals that water quality issues, including contaminants such as lead and microplastics, are also significant in countries like the United States. With an innovative approach, Flow Water is tackling these challenges head-on by providing advanced purification technology and addressing the global dependency on bottled beverages.Razgaitis details the journey from a personal realization about his children's hydration habits to implementing a large-scale solution combating water trust issues. By deploying technology that transforms tap water and restores consumer confidence, Flow Water aims to offer an eco-friendly and health-conscious alternative to bottled water. Raz emphasizes the environmental impact of single-use plastics and advocates for sustainable practices that encourage consumers to refocus on treated tap water. This episode offers an insightful exploration of how technology and brand trust can be leveraged to resolve longstanding issues in water quality and consumption habits.Key Takeaways:Water Quality Challenges: The developed world, particularly the U.S., faces significant water quality issues, including lead, PFAS, and microplastics.Flow Water’s Mission: Flow Water focuses on making tap water trustworthy and tasty to reduce reliance on bottled beverages and address plastic pollution.Technological Solutions: The company uses advanced purification and remineralization processes to offer superior tasting water, akin to bottled water, but with environmental benefits.Health and Sustainability: By encouraging better hydration habits, Flow Water is tackling public health issues linked to dehydration and advocating for environmental sustainability.Strategic Deployment: Flow Water targets public spaces like schools, gyms, and hotels to maximize consumer exposure and drive home the importance of clean water access.Notable Quotes:"Every human deserves access to clean drinking water that they can trust, and that it's a fundamental human right.""We are now in a world today where even if you live in a first-world country, you have to treat your water twice.""If the worse your water is, the more you're forced to buy bottled water.""When we deploy a flow water unit, we'll see a 100 to 500% increase in daily hydration.""The beauty of flow water and the product of flow water and the magic of flow water is the water itself."Resources:Flow Water Website: Flow WaterTEDx Talk by Raz Razgaitis: For insights on environmental impact and sustainable hydration practices.American Academy of Pediatrics: Referenced in discussion about safe lead levels in drinking water.New England Journal of Medicine: Study on microplastics, mentioned in relation to health impacts.Encouraging the audience to explore these resources reinforces the depth of the conversation and the importance of the topics discussed. Listen to the full episode for an inspiring discussion on transforming our water systems for healthier communities and a healthier planet. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from Shape the System.

About the Guest(s):Josh Bloomfield is the Founder and CEO of GiveCloud, a remote-first company aiming to transform how nonprofits operate and connect with donors. Based in Ottawa, Canada, currently residing in Florida with family, Josh’s career began immediately post-high school when he ventured into building grant management software for the US government. His experiences range from developing enterprise applications and security to gaining insights into user experience. Josh's vision was initially inspired by his entrepreneurial family, particularly his grandfather and father, who owned and operated a renowned local bakery. He aimed to apply technological advancements to under-resourced entrepreneurs, eventually leading to the inception of GiveCloud in 2017. Under Josh's leadership, GiveCloud now supports thousands of nonprofits globally to deepen donor relationships via enhanced digital fundraising tools.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner interviews Josh Bloomfield, the innovative mind behind GiveCloud, a company dedicated to aiding nonprofits in maximizing their digital fundraising efforts. The discussion traverses Josh's unique professional journey from developing government software straight out of high school to founding GiveCloud with a mission-driven purpose. Josh's passion for using technology as a means to empower nonprofits, specifically in optimizing their interactions with donors, takes center stage. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in learning about the intersection of commerce principles, technology, and charitable giving.Throughout the episode, Josh delves into the intricacies of nonprofit operations, comparing them to eCommerce logistics and emphasizing the vital impact of modernizing digital fundraising techniques. Key themes include the transformative power of donor engagement, the art of ‘trust raising’ over traditional fundraising, and the necessity of nonprofits adopting efficient business practices to enhance their impact. Josh's insights reveal the challenges and opportunities facing the nonprofit sector in embracing technology and the potential shifts required to connect more deeply with their donor base.Key Takeaways:Nonprofits lag in adopting modern digital fundraising tactics, similar to eCommerce businesses.There's a significant opportunity for nonprofits to enhance donor engagement through better technology and a focus on impact-driven donations.The charity sector can benefit from leveraging principles used in behavioral economics and technology design to increase donation levels.Nonprofit organizations could enhance their operational efficiency by emulating smart business practices.There is a burgeoning trend for for-profit companies to incorporate philanthropic efforts directly into their business models.Notable Quotes:"We are a team of people doing our life's best work, trying to help nonprofits do their life's best work." – Josh Bloomfield"There's a lot of risk to having a lot of your finances come through a single channel." – Josh Bloomfield"What if we could at least make the donation experience 100 times better, make it feel more human, make it feel more delightful?" – Josh Bloomfield"A delighted donor becomes a more devoted donor." – Josh Bloomfield"We want to be the platform that enables true connection to impact." – Josh BloomfieldResources:GiveCloud: The company's official website.Charity Water: A nonprofit mentioned as a benchmark for operationalizing impact connectivity.Steve Jobs and Apple: Referenced for their influence on technology and product design.As a listener, this episode provides profound insights into revolutionizing nonprofit operations through technology. Tune in to learn how GiveCloud is pioneering innovative solutions to bridge nonprofits and their donor communities. Stay connected to Shape the System for more enlightening stories that challenge conventional systems. Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected]

About the Guest(s):Don Weatherbee is the CEO of Regenexx, a forward-thinking organization focused on innovative precious metals recovery techniques. Transitioning from an accounting background, Don has extensive experience in the mining sector, including coal and oil sands, before joining Regenexx in 2015. His operational expertise coupled with leadership roles has equipped him with the tools to helm Regenexx's ambitious endeavors in sustainable technology and precious metal recycling.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of "Shape the System," host Vincent Turner converses with Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenexx, unveiling the intricacies of precious metals recycling. Exploring a world often overshadowed, Don narrates his journey from a traditional mining accountant to a sustainability-driven CEO, revolutionizing how we perceive and process precious metals from resources like catalytic converters.As the discussion unfolds, Don highlights the critical deficit in the supply of platinum group metals (PGMs), exacerbated by geopolitical issues and finite earth resources. He articulates the unique Regenexx leaching technology that mitigates environmental impact and harnesses economic potential by efficiently recycling PGMs from used catalytic converters. The conversation further delves into the significance of PGMs in global industries, the current obstacles in traditional recycling methods, and the promising innovations spearheaded by Regenexx.Key Takeaways:Precious Metals Recycling: Regenexx is pioneering a revolutionary hydrometallurgical process to recover platinum group metals from catalytic converters, spotlighting the scarcity of these critical resources.Industry Insights: The global demand for PGMs is rising, with supply already in deficit by 259,000oz annually, leading to increased focus on sustainable recycling over traditional mining.Environmental Benefits: The Regenexx method minimizes the environmental footprint associated with mining and traditional recycling, emphasizing the crucial need for earth-friendly resource recovery techniques.Economic Viability: Regenexx aims to scale operations, reflecting a significant market opportunity within the $20 billion catalytic converter industry and beyond.Strategic Expansion: Future growth plans include geographic expansion and potential international licensing, aligning with the mission to broaden sustainable metal recovery practices globally.Notable Quotes:"Precious metals are the most rare metals in the earth's crust.""Platinum and palladium are essential oxidizers and conductors used in catalytic converters and fuel cells.""Our hydrometallurgical process is transforming precious metals recovery with minimal environmental impact.""Mining alone can't meet future global demands; recycling is crucial to sustain growth.""We're at a commercial scaling inflection point, with vast opportunities ahead in sustainable recycling."Resources:Regenexx: regenexx.comCanadian Exchanges and Trading Symbols: RGX (Canada), RGXT (US)Engage fully with this episode to explore the transformative potential of sustainable precious metals recycling. Stay tuned for additional insightful content from the "Shape the System" series, where more innovative stories and thought leaders await to reshape how we consider the world around us.Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected]  

About the Guest(s):Hugo SpowersHugo Spowers is a pioneer in sustainable auto technology and the founder of Riversimple, a company dedicated to developing hydrogen fuel cell cars. With a background in mechanical engineering and a deep interest in environmental sustainability, he left a career in motor racing to focus on creating a new kind of vehicle that could revolutionize personal mobility. Riversimple aims to create highly efficient, eco-friendly cars through innovative design and business models, setting new standards for the automotive industry.Episode Summary:In this episode of "Shape the System," host Vincent Turner interviews Hugo Spowers, founder of Riversimple, a groundbreaking company focusing on hydrogen fuel cell cars. This enlightening conversation covers Hugo's journey from a career in motor racing to becoming a leader in sustainable transportation. They delve deep into technical and systemic issues plaguing current automotive models and explore the revolutionary changes Riversimple is bringing to the industry, starting from the business model and extending to the manufacturing process.Hugo Spowers discusses the need for a complete redesign of how cars are built and sold to make them truly sustainable. He explains the drawbacks of current vehicles, from massive CO2 emissions to the hazardous particulates released from tyres, and how the auto industry's existing business models exacerbate these issues. Riversimple, by contrast, never sells cars outright but offers them as a service package that includes fuel and maintenance, thus aligning the company's profitability with sustainability goals.Key Takeaways:Innovative Business Model: Riversimple offers cars as a service rather than selling them outright, internalizing all costs to focus on longevity and efficiency.Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology: Hydrogen fuel cells are a highly efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional internal combustion engines and even some electric batteries.Systemic Change Over Incremental Change: Transitioning to sustainable vehicles requires a complete overhaul of current systems rather than small, iterative changes.Weight and Efficiency: Reducing the weight of vehicles dramatically improves their efficiency and reduces negative impacts, such as tyre particulate emissions and resource consumption.Collaborative Ecosystems: Building a sustainable transportation system involves aligning the interests of multiple stakeholders, including local authorities, manufacturers, and consumers.Notable Quotes:Hugo Spowers: “We will never sell a car; we'll only sell a service. That’s how we align our interests with sustainability.”Hugo Spowers: “Our cars do feel significantly different to your average modern car, very direct and engaging.”Hugo Spowers: “We save more money on the fuel for the car over the life of the car than the premium we pay for the carbon fiber.”Hugo Spowers: “There's no way to do this incrementally. It's a step change opportunity at a systems level.”Hugo Spowers: “It’s not just about improving technology; it’s about changing the business model that makes sustainability profitable.”Resources:Riversimple Website"Natural Capitalism" by Paul Hawken and Amory LovinsDame La truck CEO's comments on charging electric trucksHisata's efficiency claims for their electrolyzerListen to the full episode to discover how Riversimple is poised to transform the landscape of personal mobility through innovative, sustainable design and business models. Stay tuned for more insights and stories on "Shape the System." Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected]

About the Guest(s):Wayne McIntyre is the CEO and co-founder of Relocalize, a groundbreaking startup focused on transforming the production and distribution of food and beverages. With a robust background in technology startups and leadership roles, Wayne has a unique perspective that blends his personal passion for environmental sustainability with professional expertise. He holds over two decades of experience in diverse markets, having transitioned from a corporate lawyer in the U.S. to a pioneer in decarbonization efforts for food systems.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of "Shape the System," host Vincent Turner converses with Wayne McIntyre, the co-founder and CEO of Relocalize. The dialogue dives deep into the mechanics and innovations aimed at disrupting the centralized model of food and beverage production. Turner and McIntyre explore the complexities of our current food system, emphasizing the inefficiencies and environmental impacts brought about by extensive logistics and supply chains. The discussion offers keen insights into how modern technologies like AI, automation, and the Internet of Things are making it possible to decentralize production at a micro scale, thereby reducing costs and carbon footprints.Wayne McIntyre elaborates on the unique journey of Relocalize, from its conception to its current operations. He sheds light on the strategic choice of starting with packaged ice due to its high logistic costs and monopoly-driven market dynamics. The conversation transitions into the economic and environmental advantages of microfactories, the technological challenges encountered, and the promising future of expanding this model to other food and beverage products. McIntyre highlights that through the use of autonomous microfactories, Relocalize can produce ice and other items at a lower cost, ensuring a more sustainable future for food and beverage distribution.Key Takeaways:Innovative Production Models: By leveraging AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things, Relocalize has developed autonomous microfactories that significantly cut down on traditional logistic costs and carbon emissions.Strategic Entry with Packaged Ice: The choice to start with packaged ice allows Relocalize to disrupt a monopolized market with a high logistical expense, offering both economic and environmental benefits.Economic Efficiency: The microfactory model reduces costs by eliminating the need for extensive trucking, warehousing, and other traditional supply chain requirements.Autonomous Operations: The technology stack enables remote management and predictive maintenance, ensuring high uptime and reduced operational costs.Future Expansion: With a proven model in the ice market, Relocalize aims to extend its microfactory approach to beverages and possibly fresh food products, aligning with long-term goals of decarbonizing the food system.Notable Quotes:"Our vision for relocalize right from the beginning was, whether it's a tomato or a package of ice, how do we make something at that distribution center and take that whole value chain right from the beginning and collapse it?""The only way we can do this is to take complete control of that system. We need to own that chain. Actually, even better, we need to get rid of the entire chain.""This is a market that really is ripe for disruption and in so many ways, because not only is it geographic monopolists, you know, they're very happy where they are. They're order takers, ultimately.""We really proved the things that could be proven and the things that didn't work. We learned a lot from that. Right now, we're building that first full-scale system.""I'm really looking forward to there being 100 companies like us pursuing this opportunity. Because at the end of the day, we need to get food off of trucks, we need to decarbonize our food system."Resources:Relocalize: WebsiteKPMG High Growth Ventures: WebsiteTune in to the full episode to uncover more about how Relocalize is aiming to decarbonize and transform our food systems. Stay connected for more insightful episodes from Shape the System!  Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected]

About the Guest(s):Peter Vranes is the co-founder and CEO of Nutromics. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Peter previously took a skincare company from startup to a successful trade sale. Fascinated by health diagnostics, he shifted his focus to medtech. Alongside co-founder Hitesh Mehta, Peter is on a mission to revolutionize health diagnostics and patient outcomes through continuous biosensing technology. Under his leadership, Nutromics has raised $55 million and assembled a team of 60 experts in Melbourne and San Diego.Episode Summary:In this episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner speaks with Peter Vranes, co-founder of Nutromics, about revolutionizing health diagnostics to improve patient outcomes. Peter shares his journey from the skincare industry to pioneering technology in medtech. The discussion introduces Nutromics' innovative approach to continuous health monitoring through biosensors, aimed at transforming reactive healthcare into a proactive model.The conversation delves into the current state of patient diagnostics, emphasizing its inefficiencies and limitations. Peter illustrates how critical diagnostic markers often fluctuate quickly, making timely and continuous data crucial for effective treatment decisions. He explains how Nutromics' platform leverages DNA-based biosensors to provide real-time monitoring, thus addressing life-threatening conditions like heart attacks and sepsis with unprecedented accuracy and speed. The discussion also touches on the company's collaboration with top-tier universities and its future plans to extend the technology's reach from hospitals to everyday individual health monitoring.Key Takeaways:Legacy Diagnostic Systems: Today's healthcare heavily relies on blood draws that provide single data points, often delayed, for over 70% of clinical decisions, which can lead to inefficiencies and life-threatening oversights.Continuous Monitoring: Nutromics is developing a platform of DNA-based sensors to provide continuous, real-time health data, crucial for conditions with rapidly changing biomarkers like heart attacks and drug dosages for sepsis.Target Vertical Integration: Nutromics strategically focuses on high-impact verticals (ICU, cardiology, renal, etc.) to establish strong use cases and optimize their technology's application before a broader rollout.Proactive Healthcare Vision: The ultimate goal is shifting from reactive to proactive healthcare by creating a system that alerts individuals of health issues before they become symptomatic.Collaborative Innovation: Peter underscores the importance of collaborating with world-class researchers and being persistent in securing and developing groundbreaking technologies.Notable Quotes:"70% of all clinical decisions are based on lab diagnostics like the ones we described; the current system has been a legacy system for decades.""The holy grail of healthcare is shifting from a reactive to a proactive model, rendering symptomatic diagnosis obsolete.""We are on our way to revolutionizing diagnostics, which is what we're trying to do.""When you know you've got a tech that can save someone's life and people are dying today because this isn't in the market, you have to go.""We feel privileged to be given the opportunity to do this. That's what drives us, that legacy we are going to leave behind."Resources:Nutromics Website: NutromicsUniversity of California, Santa Barbara: UCSBTim Ferriss' Books: The Four-Hour Body, The Four-Hour WorkweekDive deep into the future of health diagnostics with Peter Vranes and learn how Nutromics is changing the system. Don’t miss this insightful episode and stay tuned for more transformative stories from Shape the System. Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected] 

About the Guest(s):Paul Frasca: Paul Frasca is a co-founder of Sustainable Salons, an organization dedicated to minimizing waste in the beauty industry by turning salon waste into valuable resources. With a background in hairdressing and a keen interest in sustainability inspired by his partner Evelina, Paul has been pivotal in introducing sustainable practices into salons across Australia and New Zealand. Paul is also involved in innovative recycling solutions, such as using human hair for oil spill cleanups and creating fertilizers.Episode Summary:In this captivating episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner welcomes Paul Frasca, co-founder of Sustainable Salons, to discuss the revolutionary impact of sustainability in the hair and beauty industry. Turner’s humorous remark on discussing hair without personally having any sets a light tone for the intense subject matter. Frasca shares his journey from hairdressing to pioneering sustainability initiatives, influenced in part by his italian heritage and sustainable living principles inherited from his grandparents.The conversation dives deep into the specific waste challenges within salons, including metals, plastics, and human hair, and how Sustainable Salons has developed innovative solutions to transform these waste products into valuable resources. Using hair to clean up oil spills and create fertilizers are just two of their groundbreaking initiatives. Paul also sheds light on the logistics and operational challenges behind making sustainability viable, capturing the importance of point-to-point solutions and vertical integration in recycling. The episode underscores the need for industries to adapt swiftly to sustainability norms and the role of brands in driving this change.Key Takeaways:Sustainable Salons Initiatives: Sustainable Salons tackles waste in hair salons by recycling metals, plastics, and even human hair, converting these into useful products like hair booms for oil spills and fertilizers.Three-Pillar Approach: The organization’s sustainability strategy focuses on people, planet, and profit, ensuring that environmental solutions also benefit communities and businesses financially.Educational Outreach: The company integrates sustainability into educational frameworks, making it a part of the curriculum in hairdressing schools to inspire future generations.Reverse Logistics: Effective recycling relies on sophisticated reverse logistics and point-to-point solutions, which Sustainable Salons has meticulously developed.Global Potential: Sustainable Salons is setting a precedent in Australia and New Zealand, with potential applications in other regions and industries, encouraging innovation and partnership in sustainability practices globally.Notable Quotes:"I never came from some green world… I was born in Australia, but having italian migrants, grandparents and parents, they grew up a very different way." - Paul Frasca"Each boom, just to give you some stats, can hold up to eight times its weight, and it's highly attractive to oil." - Paul Frasca"So we've had to build it from scratch. And right now we have far better software than the courier companies do." - Paul Frasca"If we're going to solve this egg, we’re going to have to crack it, right? We're going to have to really get in here and solve this problem." - Paul Frasca"The way you're thinking is just so 1980s, it's dead. You've got to rethink sustainability from the ground up." - Paul FrascaResources:Sustainable Salons: WebsiteTeslar: WebsiteCritical: WebsiteSoils Alive: WebsiteOz Harvest: WebsiteKiwi Harvest: WebsiteFor more insights and to stay updated on groundbreaking sustainable solutions in various industries, make sure to listen to this episode and stay tuned for more content from Shape the System. Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected] 

About the Guest(s):Christa Stelzmuller: Christa Stelzmuller is a prominent technologist and leader currently serving at charity: water, an organization dedicated to bringing clean and safe water to people in developing countries. With a rich background in consulting and startups, particularly in mission-driven enterprises, Christa combines her technical expertise and passion for social impact to drive charity: water's technology and data initiatives. She has been instrumental in integrating innovative technological solutions to enhance both operational efficiency and donor engagement within the organization.Episode Summary:In this riveting episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner engages with Christa Stelzmuller from charity: water to delve into the critical issues surrounding global water infrastructure and how technology plays a pivotal role in transforming lives. Christa shares her journey from consulting and startups to spearheading technological advancements at charity: water, driven by a mission to bring clean, safe water to communities in need. The episode highlights the organization’s innovative efforts in using sensors and data to ensure water sustainability and impact.As they explore the state of water infrastructure, Christa outlines the challenges faced by millions who lack basic access to clean water, spanning across Africa and Southeast Asia. She discusses how charity: water utilizes technology, such as IoT sensors, to monitor water projects and ensure their long-term sustainability. The discussion also touches on the broader impact of clean water on health, education, and economic opportunities within communities. Christa reveals how charity: water's data-driven approach not only enhances their operations but also builds transparency and trust with donors.Key Takeaways:The Technology Behind Clean Water: Charity: water leverages innovative technological solutions, including IoT sensors, to monitor and ensure the long-term sustainability of water projects in remote areas.Impact on Communities: Access to clean water directly influences education, health, and economic opportunities, particularly empowering women and girls.Dual Funding Model: Charity: water's unique approach separates donor funds into operational expenses and direct project funding, ensuring 100% of certain donations go straight to water projects.Brand and Partnerships: Strategic storytelling and brand partnerships play a critical role in building trust and expanding charity: water’s impact globally.Data and Growth Strategies: The organization employs data-driven tactics common in e-commerce to attract and retain donors, maximizing their mission's reach and effectiveness.Notable Quotes:"703 million people lack basic access to clean water in the world today." – Christa Stelzmuller"Water has a follow-on impact to many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals." – Christa Stelzmuller"Charity: water was looking for technologists and really thinking about technologists and engineers as revenue drivers." – Christa Stelzmuller"The 100% model was established to reinforce the idea of being able to trust where your dollar is going to go." – Christa Stelzmuller"Our mission is our product." – Christa StelzmullerResources:Charity: water websiteVincent Turner's LinkedInUN Sustainable Development GoalsFor more captivating insights and to experience how charity: water is revolutionizing access to clean water through technology and data, listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more episodes of Shape the System. Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected] 

About the Guest(s):Dr. Aditya Nagrath is a distinguished individual with a profound background in mathematics and computer science, highlighted by his PhD from the University of Denver. Following his academic ventures, he founded Elephant Head Software, a dynamic contract software engineering firm that rapidly launched over 35 product lines, consisting of 50 applications with an efficient team of engineers. Building on this momentum, Dr. Nagrath spearheaded the innovative math education platform, Elephant Learning, which is designed to empower children's understanding of mathematics as a language.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of "Shape the System," host Vincent Turner invites Dr. Aditya Nagrath to the conversation to discuss the evolution and challenges of mathematics education. The episode sets off with a discussion on the diverse educational systems within the United States and how they are adapting (or not) to modern pedagogical insights, particularly in the realm of mathematics education.The episode delves into Dr. Nagrath's Elephant Learning platform, which leverages adaptive algorithms to make mathematics education more conceptual, akin to learning a language. The system, designed with user engagement in mind, presents mathematics as puzzle games and promises significant improvements in students' math learning within a short timeframe. Highlighting the platform's scholarship program, the episode also touches upon the challenges and strategies of making high-quality math education accessible to economically diverse populations.Key Takeaways:Mathematics education in the US varies greatly due to a decentralized system across states and districts, leading to disparities in teaching methods and outcomes.Dr. Nagrath emphasizes the importance of conceptual understanding in mathematics, likening it to learning a language—both require immersive and experiential learning for mastery.Elephant Learning's platform addresses math education by providing personal, adaptive learning experiences, aiming to reduce math anxiety and increase proficiency.The learning system promises an average of 1.67 years of math progress within 13 weeks, reshaping how children interact with the subject.A financial model that ensures engagement: Elephant Learning's scholarship program charges a variable fee based on income to maintain a value perception and consistent usage among learners.Notable Quotes:"The value in the human knowledge is, can I instruct the computer to do it, or can I get the calculator to do it?" - Dr. Aditya Nagrath."Four out of five students are starting kindergarten unprepared…mathematics is the answer." - Dr. Aditya Nagrath."As long as you understand the teacher and it's fun. Well, you're not anxious of it, right." - Dr. Aditya Nagrath."The value in any human being's mind for anything is the dollar value ascribed that you paid for it." - Dr. Aditya Nagrath.Resources:Dr. Aditya Nagrath: Elephant Head SoftwareScholarship Program: [Application Process](mention of a process but no direct URL provided)Learning Platform: Elephant LearningFor anyone eager to reshape a child’s relationship with mathematics and foster a deeper understanding in a fun, adaptive way, listen to the full episode for inspiring insights from Dr. Aditya Nagrath and learn about the breakthroughs of Elephant Learning. Stay tuned for more episodes from "Shape the System" that highlight innovative approaches to evolving the systems we live by.  Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected]

About the Guest(s):Kat Roma Greer is the Artistic Director of Micro Galleries, a global roaming arts initiative that focuses on using art as a tool for positive change in under-resourced communities. With her expertise, Kat leads a team of creative individuals developing small-scale innovative solutions to address both local and global issues through artist residencies, workshops, and the well-known Micro Galleries Live Festival. She is deeply passionate about the intersection of art and social impact, particularly in regions undergoing issues such as climate disruption and unequal resource distribution.Episode Summary:In an enthralling episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner explores the transformative power of art with Kat Roma Greer, the dynamic force behind Micro Galleries. This conversation delves into the unique ability of art to address complex societal and environmental issues, highlighting the incredible initiative that Micro Galleries embodies. Engaging with creators from around the world, the platform harnesses creativity to inspire change and offer innovative perspectives on pressing challenges.Kat's work demonstrates a clear link between the arts, knowledge sharing, and problem-solving in a tangible form. Throughout the discussion, key points emerge regarding the importance of contextual understanding and empathy within the creative process. Covering a major concern in Chiang Mai, Thailand - the smoky season resulting from agricultural burning, Kat discusses the approach of using art to communicate deeper societal narratives that data alone cannot capture. The episode truly captures the essence and roles of artists in pushing boundaries, fostering dialogue, and imagining solutions that could potentially be carried forward by others with greater resources.Key Takeaways:Micro Galleries is an initiative that uses art to generate social and environmental impact, primarily focusing on issues like equitable access and climate disruption.The role of the artist extends beyond traditional boundaries, including complex idea generation, collaboration, and risk-taking to address and highlight societal problems.Artistic interventions can effectively communicate the nuanced experiences of communities affected by global issues, potentially leading to innovative real-world solutions.The episode discusses the historical role of art in presenting subversive commentary on political and societal issues, often leading to change or greater awareness.The structure of Micro Galleries allows a blend of local and international artists to work on projects, creating a global network aimed at fostering creativity and social change.Notable Quotes:"We use the arts to address problems in under-resourced communities and work with them to creatively express those issues and find some solutions." - Kat Roma Greer"Artists have this unique ability to sit in that space, and from that comes some really fantastic possibilities and solutions that are kind of innovated or imagined up." - Kat Roma Greer"Artists are quite often some of the most intelligent and aware and well-read people that I encounter because they need to be, because of the work they're producing." - Kat Roma Greer"So a lot of artists, for example, will lend each other equipment and resources. So there's a lot of resource sharing that occurs." - Kat Roma Greer"We think we play a seeding role, a grassroots role, and we're connecting very much on the ground with the exact people that are affected by these issues." - Kat Roma GreerResources:Micro Galleries Website: Micro GalleriesInstagram Handle: @microgalleriesFacebook Page: Micro Galleries FacebookJoin us for an inspiring journey through the world of creative activism with Kat Roma Greer on Shape the System. Tune into the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of how art intertwines with social and environmental discourse, and discover a community where art is truly being used as a catalyst for positive change. Stay connected for more enlightening conversations that challenge us to rethink the way the world works. Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth VenturesScale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey.Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help.Links:Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/Contacts: [email protected]