Where We Grow From Here

In this episode, Jessica Murphy, Vice President at S2G, sits down with Tracey Halama, CEO of Vital Proteins to share how the unique ways in which the company built their brand, positioned them to be acquired by Nestle Health Sciences in one of the great M&A stories of the year. Between starting in D2C, becoming a B corp, working with influencers, being radically transparent, and staying true to your brand experience, Tracey has some real wisdom to share with brands looking to stand out from the pack and earn brand recognition and loyalty.

In this episode, Dan Ripma, Vice President at S2G, sits down with Grant Leslie and Jacqlyn Schneider, food, agriculture and nutrition policy experts from FGS Global, to explore emerging opportunities for progress and multi-sector partnerships in the food and nutrition sector. They discuss the significance of the recent White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, the novel opportunities for collaboration between unusual partners, the implications of the national strategy for the upcoming farm bill, and how investors and entrepreneurs can build off of the momentum and realize real progress in the sector. 

Sanjeev Krishnan sits down with Lukas Walton, CEO of Builders Vision and co-founder of S2G to discuss the characteristics such as systems thinking and a multi-asset approach that are at the core of S2G and Builders Vision. From the multi-asset approach of Builders Vision, to the critical work of tackling friction points, the importance of an abundance mindset, and the efforts to look beyond impact investing to systems investing, this conversation is filled with thought provoking ideas and perspectives on how to conceptualize, fund and take action for powerful and necessary change. 

S2G Managing Director, Larsen Mettler, sits down with Brilliant Planet CEO Adam Taylor and chief scientist and cofounder Raffael Jovine, as well as John Butrick, partner at Union Square Ventures which led the company’s series A, to discuss Brilliant Planet’s algae-based climate solution and the funding needed to support these types of innovations. The conversation covers everything from the technology to the potential for generating quality carbon credits, what it will take to scale these operations and why venture capital is needed to back innovative solutions. Download the 8 Trends Critical to a Blue Economy Report here: https://www.s2gventures.com/reports

Jeff Nobbs is on a mission to replace environmentally harmful and unhealthy vegetable oils with cultured oil that is better for people and the planet. Vegetable oils, which make up 20 percent of our daily calories, are driving biodiversity loss through cropland expansion and contributing to the rise of chronic disease. This awareness, coupled with a passion for healthy eating and the connection between food and wellness, drove Jeff to dedicate his career to finding an alternative. In this episode, Jeff talks about the factors that led him to create cultured oil, a fermented vegetable oil that has a 90 percent lower environmental footprint and is substantially healthier without sacrificing taste. 

S2G Clean Energy Fund Managing Directors, Frank O’Sullivan and Stephan Feilhauer, sit down with Sanjeev Krishnan to discuss the obstacles and opportunities in the clean energy investment space. Frank and Stephan discuss the unique nature of the energy sector and their approach to energy investing as co-managers of the new S2G Clean Energy Fund. It will take bridging silos between sectors and capital structures, adopting a systems approach, and working at the seams of the energy world to propel the energy transition forward and enable it to permeate into the broader economy.

Michael Fassnacht, CMO for the City of Chicago and CEO and President of World Business Chicago sits down with Tonya Bakritzes, Managing Director of Marketing at S2G to discuss why and how Chicago is supporting its food and agriculture sector and encouraging growth and innovation. Michael shares why Chicago is particularly well suited to be a food industry hub from its rich history in the sector to its diversity, location, affordability and incredible talent pool, and how the city plans on strengthening the sector and making it a core strategy in Chicago’s economic recovery. 

Josh Domingues, CEO of Flashfood, joins S2G’s Chuck Templeton to discuss how the company’s solution to retail food waste creates substantial benefits for grocery stores and consumers. 

Dr. Jeff Bland, founder of Big Bold Health and Founder and President of the Personalized Lifestyle Institute, joins S2G’s Walter Robb on this episode to discuss how the company is helping people take control of their health and pave the way for 100 years of good living through immunity rejuvenating products and educational resources.

Sandeep Patel, CFO of Popsockets, shares some lessons he has learned over a lifetime of working with food companies and startups of all sizes about what it takes to successfully scale a food CPG company and the importance of incorporating a financial perspective throughout your business.