THE IMPACT INTERVIEW

Inspiring conversations with Impact Entrepreneurs, the founders and leaders of game-changing, technology-driven businesses and social enterprises who are making a positive difference to global society and driving towards the achievement of the UN’s SDGs.

“Safe, sustainable, sodium-based Energy Storage” with Will Tope, CCO of LiNa Energy 07/25/2023

Boosting Solar in Frontier Markets with Mike Rosenberg of Circadian 06/28/2023

Changing to Survive, Driven from Within with Tim Riedel, CEO and Founder of Planetgroups 06/16/2023

Tackling the Green Skills Emergency with Mat Ilic, Co-Founder and CEO of Greenworkx 05/31/2023

Tackling the Green Skills Emergency with Mat Ilic, Co-Founder and CEO of Greenworkx Welcome to Episode 14 of Series 4! After last episode's Foray into Hydrogen Technologies, I’m back in my comfort zone this week, or at least closer to it. The World of Recruitment. Recruitment in terms of the urgent need to train and place people for the millions of green jobs that are required if we are going to come close to meeting our net zero goals. Cars, homes and commercial buildings have to become more energy efficient but the UK market is woefully short of the skills required to help people and companies make the transition. My guest is Mat Ilic, Co-Founder and CEO of Greenworkx, an EdTech Startup with a Sustainability Mission. Mat Ilic is a Public Policy Expert and Former Special Advisor to the Prime Minister who describes their mission with far more eloquence - so I’ll leave that to him. But essentially they are building an app and talent portal that will match people from all backgrounds to appropriate green jobs and guide them through the whole training and placement process. What I particularly like is their ability to target groups who are typically under-represented in technical industries, and those who might find the traditional job market hard to access and navigate, as well as those whose job in the fossil fuel industry may soon disappear. Greenworkx is barely 12 months old but they’ve achieved great momentum already, including funding from leading VCs/growth and impact investors and support from an array of successful and high profile business leaders. Mat Ilic and Co-Founder Richard Ng are also another example of one of these serendipitous Co-Founding Partnerships, where skills and values seem to be perfectly aligned - which has to be a solid foundation for success. The challenge is huge and incredibly important. And Mat Ilic articulates the vision superbly so keep listening to find out more - and of course subscribe to the podcast if you like it. LEARN MORE ABOUT GREENWORKX Website: LinkedIn: CONNECT WITH MAT ILIC LinkedIn: Twitter: CONNECT WITH MATT VENNING Website: Facebook: Twitter: LinkedIn: YouTube: Email: [email protected] Check out all other episodes of The Impact Interview at /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/26997105

Commercialising Fuel Cell Technology in the UK with Dr. Michaela Kendall, CEO of Adelan 05/17/2023

From Nature Crisis to a Nature Positive Future with Sebastien Leape, CEO of NatCap Research 03/30/2023

Simplifying Sustainability in the Agrifood Space with Dan Yates, Co-Founder and CEO of Greener 03/15/2023

The Climate Impact of Green Ammonia with Lewis Jenkins, Co-Founder and CEO of Nium 03/01/2023

"Bringing Sunlight to Life" with Ofer Becker of Solight Energy 02/15/2023

Investing in our Future with Beverley Gower-Jones of Clean Growth Fund 02/01/2023

From Reforestation to Holistic Sustainability with Chris Kaiser of Click A Tree 01/18/2023

S4 Episode 6 - Bridging the Finance Gap – the story of sustainability investor Audacy Ventures, with co-founder Toby Chan 01/04/2023

S4 Episode 5 - Enabling Sustainability with Geospatial Intelligence, with Jakub Dziwisz of Orbify 12/21/2022

S4 Episode 4 - “Preventing Wildfires, Protecting Forests” with Carsten Brinkschulte of Dryad Networks 12/07/2022

S4 Episode 3 What’s Hot in Sustainable Investing? with Jim Totty. 11/30/2022

S4 Episode 2: Start ups, VC and ESG, with Tracy Barba 11/22/2022

S4 Episode 1: Investing in a Better World, with Johan Rozali-Wathooth 11/15/2022

How to hire Neurodiverse Talent, with Professor Amanda Kirby of Do-IT Solutions 11/24/2021

A Difrent Approach to Diversity & Inclusion, with Rachel Murphy of Difrent 11/18/2021

Intro to Series 3 - Hiring Neurodiverse Talent - and the role of Tech 11/17/2021

Intro to Series 3 - Hiring Neurodiverse Talent - and the role of Tech Disability in the workplace seems to have massively lagged behind other aspects of Diversity, but it is definitely getting wider recognition and plenty of employers seem to be taking it seriously. But it’s open to debate how many of the initiatives and programs are driven by corporate virtue-signalling, without really building inclusion into the corporate DNA. I’m still not sure that there’s a widely-accepted realization that people with disabilities can actually make a contribution that more than justifies the adjustments that may need to be made for them to be hired and retained. But perceptions are definitely changing. Young people starting employment today are far more conscious of diversity and inclusion and want to be part of an organization that reflects society and puts social responsibility at its core. And of course the increase in remote work, driven by technology and by the pandemic, has been a potential game-changer for many disabled employees. They are disabled by their environment, by the physical, social and mental barriers that the world puts in their way. Overcoming these barriers breeds creativity, determination and resilience – who doesn’t want these qualities in an employee? Companies have cottoned on to the fact that Diversity is great for business. Bringing different perspectives produces better results. And of course people perform better in a working environment that is inclusive, where they can be themselves. Neurodiversity is deservedly getting much more recognition these days, really almost as a skillset that needs to be harnessed for maximum benefit, not just managed or ignored. From the countless business leaders with dyslexia, ADHD and aspects of autism, to the stereotypical autistic techie, to the everyday individual on the spectrum who just loves their routine, repetitive job because it gives them a huge sense of purpose and accomplishment. Neurodiverse talent has a lot to offer. I want to open the door on a series of conversations with technology entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who are pushing the Neurodiverse agenda forwards. Often because of their own unique backgrounds, they have decided to build or change something – a business, a technology, a movement – that removes the barriers for neurodiverse employees. I’m putting together my list of guests as I go, but hopefully I’ll attract enough experts to justify calling this a Series. It would be fantastic to get a range of different perspectives so that anyone exploring the space can get some really interesting insights – from those creating the changes to those incorporating them in their own business. So if you are active in the space, promoting Neurodiversity at Work, and have something to say, please get in touch by email at ! /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/21199496

S2 Episode 21: Creating a Safer World of Sport 09/23/2021

S2 Episode 21: Creating a Safer World of Sport This is the last of my conversations with the 2021 cohort of the AI for Social Impact Program run by Microsoft for Startups and the Social Tech Trust. I’ve been looking forward to speaking to these guys for quite a few weeks, but we’ve held off until now to coincide with their official launch – which just happens to be taking place at 10 Downing Street shortly before the interview gets aired. That recognition from the Government is a hint at the importance of what they are doing. We are talking about a game-changing, science and data-driven approach to Safety in Sport, which is going to have a major impact on our long term enjoyment of all types of sports from childhood to old age and across the spectrum from schools to elite level clubs. So there’s a very obvious positive impact on our physical and mental health and wellbeing, but the social and economic implications go far beyond that. It’s a real privilege for me to be meeting these guys at this exciting early stage – it seems like I’m in the right place at the right time. They’ve already put a super-strong, highly experienced team together, including big names from the sporting world, and have very significant momentum. My guests are Andy Hunt and Damian Smith, respectively CEO and CTO of Podium Analytics, an NGO that seeks to significantly reduce the incidence and long-term impact of injury in sport. Their very straightforward objective is to help ensure that more people can participate in sport for a lifetime. So this is social impact on a potentially massive scale. The organisation was founded by Ron Dennis, founder and former CEO and Chairman of McLaren, who has been at ther forefront of safety in sport for many years. He is still very much involved as Chairman. Andy came on board as CEO 18 months ago, from his previous role as CEO of World Sailing. Prior to that, he has CEO of the British Olympic Association for 5 years, including leadership of TeamGB at the London 2012 Olympics. He’s also a non-exec on the boards of both England hockey and Gloucester rugby. Damian joined Podium last year, having previously been head of Information Technology at the England & Wales Cricket Board for a number of years. /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/20577935

S2 Episode 20: Transforming chronic disease outcomes with AI, with Janu Shan of CareIQ 07/29/2021

S2 Episode 18: Accelerating personalised therapies with precision drug development, with Mehak Mumtaz of Intelligent Lab on Fiber 07/07/2021

S2 Episode 18: Accelerating personalised therapies with precision drug development, with Mehak Mumtaz of Intelligent Lab on Fiber This is conversation number 9 with a business in the 2021 cohort of the ‘AI for Social Impact Programme’ – a partnership between Social Tech Trust and Microsoft for Startups. who are supporting purpose driven ventures using technology to make a positive impact on people’s lives. This week, the focus is on Personalised Medicine – recognizing that all human beings are different, and that we respond in very different ways to complex diseases, which themselves are also extremely diverse in their nature. So a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment is very inefficient, and of course this also applies to the drug development process. By accurately stratifying patients taking part in clinical trials, the trials can be run far more quickly and cheaply, with more precise results.. My guest business this week is ILoF, which stands for Intelligent Lab on Fiber, who are accelerating a new era of personalized therapies by building an intelligent platform for precise, patient-centric drug development. iLoF is using AI and photonics to build a cloud-based library of disease biomarkers and biological profiles, and provide screening and stratification tools in an affordable, fast, portable way. The company has already won numerous industry awards, and is considered one of the most disruptive companies in Europe using Photonics and AI to solve the biggest healthcare challenges of our time My guest is Mehek Mumtaz, co-founder and COO of ILoF, who met her co-founders on an EIT accelerator program in 2019 while she was working in life sciences strategy with EY-Parthenon. Building on her background in Biochemistry, her PhD in Pathology & Oncology and previous experience with an Oxford university spin-out, she joined Portuguese entrepreneurs Luis and Joana to launch the business just a few months before the pandemic took hold. /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/20577941

S2 Episode 17: Off-the-shelf AI and Accelerated Impact, with Eric Topham of The Data Analysis Bureau 06/30/2021

S2 Episode 17: Off-the-shelf AI and Accelerated Impact, with Eric Topham of The Data Analysis Bureau Data-driven and AI technology solutions are at the forefront of social and environmental impact. But ideating and implementing them is often complex and takes time. So T-DAB has evolved a "pre-packed solution" model where they can offer customers 'off the shelf AI' which cuts a lot of pain out of the development process. The potential to fast track technological advancement is huge, and T-DAB is especially successful withinh the healthcare environment. This is conversation number 8 with a business in the 2021 cohort of the ‘AI for Social Impact Programme’ – which is a partnership between Social Tech Trust and Microsoft for Startups. who are supporting purpose driven ventures using technology to make a positive impact on people’s lives. This week the theme is Data, and how data science and machine learning are being harnessed by innovators to make a massive positive impact. The effective collection and use of data is at the heart of so much technology-driven enterprise that is transforming our lives for the better in numerous sectors. None more so than in healthcare and life sciences, and in sustainability and cleantech. My guest is Eric Topham, CEO of The Data Analysis Bureau (T-DAB?), which was launched in 2017 to help maximise the impact of data science by making it far more accessible to disruptive, forward-looking businesses that recognise the potential value of data and AI-driven solutions. Eric and his co-founders have built a team of data specialists who will fast track the delivery of data and AI solutions for customers – with a particular emphasis on manufacturing & sustainability and social & health care. And they are also developing and supporting a growing community and network of data scientists to further advance the field and maximise the collective impact. Eric studied at Cambridge and Imperial College before gaining a phD in Zoology from Oxford University and starting out his career as a data scientist in public health in 2015. /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/20577944

S2 Episode 16: Shining a light on bowel cancer - early diagnosis using spectroscopy & AI, with Adam Bryant of CanSense 06/23/2021

Episode 15: Building trust and collaboration towards a sustainable fishing industry, with Nadia Laabs of SafetyNet Technologies 06/16/2021

Episode 15: Building trust and collaboration towards a sustainable fishing industry, with Nadia Laabs of SafetyNet Technologies Sometimes a technology takes time to commercialise, because the industry and the broader climate aren't ready for it. So with SateftyNet Technologies and their innovative solutions to improve fishing practices both for the benefit of people and the oceans. Having nurtured trust with fishing companies, and demonstrated their impact on efficiency and sustainability of fishing practices, they are now leading the way in bringing tech and data solutions together for massive potential impact. I’m back in the Sustainability zone this week, with my guest business impacting no less than 5 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The focus is on Precision Fishing, which uses technology and data to target the right fish and encourage a far more sustainable commercial fishing ecosystem. Catching too many fish and the wrong fish, as well as other marine life, has massively depleted fish stocks and ultimately given the global fishing industry something of a bad name. But given that 20% of the world population relies on fish as its primary protein source, the lack of sustainability is a problem that really needs to be fixed. My guest today is Nadia Laabs, co-founder and COO of , a London-based impact venture which designs and builds devices to increase the selectivity of commercial fishing practices, making the industry more sustainable. Their solutions are trusted and valued within the fishing industry and play a key role in enabling Precision Fishing. They are using a data-driven approach to help the fishing industry fish responsibly whilst reducing waste across the supply chain. Nadia is a mechanical engineer by background, who has been involved in social impact initiatives throughout her career. She started out with Proctor & Gamble in the US before coming to Europe to study for an MBA at Insead in 2013. She joined SafetyNet in their very early days five years ago, and has been COO for the last two years alongside CEO Dan and CTO Aran. /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/20577950

Episode 14: Technology, AI and seamless service delivery in Healthcare, with Ash Kalraiya and Ali Nehme Bahsoun of MediShout 06/09/2021

Episode 14: Technology, AI and seamless service delivery in Healthcare, with Ash Kalraiya and Ali Nehme Bahsoun of MediShout This is my latest conversation with a business in the 2021 cohort of the ‘AI for Social Impact Programme’ – which is a partnership between Social Tech Trust and Microsoft for Startups. who are supporting purpose driven ventures using technology to make a positive impact on people’s lives – hence why they are ideal partners for this podcast series. This week the focus is on efficient service delivery in hospitals and the practical logistics behind it. How to ensure that the myriad of moving parts that allow hospitals and clinicians to function effectively are maintained and optimized without causing delay and distraction to patient care. Now I’ve never worked in a hospital, but I know that they are busy often chaotic environments, and it’s very easy to imagine how issues likebroken IT, faulty equipment, and facilities issues can cause major problems – from delays and cancellations, to inadequate service and, inevitably, wasted money. Personal experience and frustration led to the founding of Medishout, the first app in healthcare to combine all operational departments into a one-stop shop; it’s used in NHS hospitals to connect staff, equipment suppliers and service maintenance teams. So frontline staff are now able to report and resolve operational issues directly and easily using the app. By using data and AI, Medishout predicts and prioritises issues in the hospital’s facilities and equipment to ensure that patients can receive the best possible care. My guests this week are Ash Kalraiya, CEO and founder of Medishout and Ali Nemmy Bahsoun, Chief Product Officer and late co-founder, having come on board early last year. Ash is an orthopaedic surgeon by trade, having qualified with Imperial College, and founded Medishout back in 2013. Ali is also a doctor-turned-entrepreneur who trained with Kings College and previously led product at Touch Surgery, a VC-backed healthtech business acquired by Medtronic last year. /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/20577953

Episode 13: Creating a road map to net zero emissions, with Muhammad Malik of NeuerEnergy 06/02/2021

Episode 12: Achieving net zero in the built environment, with Colin Ma of Fabriq 05/26/2021

Episode 12: Achieving net zero in the built environment, with Colin Ma of Fabriq This is my third conversation with a business in the 2021 cohort of the ‘AI for Social Impact Programme’ – which is a partnership between Social Tech Trust and Microsoft for Startups. who are supporting purpose driven ventures using technology to make a positive impact on people’s lives – hence why they are ideal partners for this podcast series. The theme this week is Sustainability, and - specifically - minimising the carbon footprint of the Built Environment – which currently accounts for almost 40% of global carbon emissions. Which, to put it in context, is almost double the carbon emissions of all forms of global transport. So any progress towards making buildings more efficient in terms of energy and resources, in terms of waste, has to be an important step in protecting our environment. And inevitably, the impact entrepreneur community are finding ways to do this through technology. My guest today is Colin Ma, CEO of FABRIQ, a software platform for sustainable and high performance buildings. Fabriq has designed a technology for anyone who wants to improve sustainability performance within the built environment and maximise the value that buildings can offer to those who own, operate, or occupy and use them. It is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering that enables a data-driven and comprehensive approach for identifying opportunities to run and use buildings in smarter, greener, and even net-zero carbon ways. Colin has worked in technology for the last 20 years, since graduating from Berkeley in California and joining Accenture in San Francisco 2001. He later came to the UK to study his MBA at London Business School, focused on Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship. He’s since worked in sales, marketing and product strategy, before joining the leadership team at Fabriq 4 years ago,. And then stepping up to become CEO in January last year. /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/20577959

Episode 11: Reimagining a future where everyone survives cancer, with Dr Bhavagaya Bakshi of C The Signs 05/19/2021

Episode 11: Reimagining a future where everyone survives cancer, with Dr Bhavagaya Bakshi of C The Signs This is my second conversation with a startup that is part of the 2021 cohort of the ‘AI for Social Impact Programme’ – which is a partnership between Social Tech Trust, Microsoft and Microsoft for Startups. Social Tech Trust is a UK charity that supports purpose driven ventures using technology to make a positive impact on people’s lives – which is exactly the focus of this podcast, so I’m delighted that we’ve teamed up for this latest series. My guest today is Dr Bhavagaya Bakshi, co-founder and CEO of C The Signs C the Signs is a multi platform digital tool primarily for doctors to support early identification of patients at risk of cancer. Now it almost goes without saying the huge problem this technology is addressing, but it’s worth emphasising nonetheless: Today, it’s a fact that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. The rate of Survival depends enormously on the stage of the disease when it’s diagnosed. At stages 1 or 2 when the cancer is still confined, over 80% of patients will survive to 10 years. But in the later stages of the disease, stages 3 or 4, the chances of the patient surviving fall to less than 20% at 5 years. Diagnosing cancer is extremely difficult. Unlike other conditions, there is no single symptom or even a test that points towards a potential cancer diagnosis. Cancer is a collection of over 200 different diseases, each with their own signs, symptoms and risk factors, which are really hard to identify at the first GP appointment. C The Signs uses AI and advanced algorithms to translate complex research and guidelines into a simple and intuitive journey for the user. Covering the entire spectrum of cancer and cross-referencing multiple diagnostic pathways, C the Signs can identify which cancer or cancers a patient is at risk of and the most appropriate next step – all in less than 30 seconds. Which all sounds pretty amazing. Bea is a qualified GP, having trained at Imperial and King’s College London and also worked in health policy and Health IT policy for a number of years, working on shaping the digital transformation within the NHS. She launched the business in 2017 with her co-founder Miles Grayling, who she met when both junior doctors. /episode/index/show/theimpactinterview/id/20577962

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