Looking for practical AI applications that actually make a positive impact on the world, I ran into Raphael Rubens, MemoMate's CEO.
When Rafael realized his grandparents' Holocaust survival stories might be lost forever, he built an AI to interview his grandmother. He found out that interacting with an AI was quite comfortable for her. So he decided to dig into the world of AI applications for elderly care.
To truly understand his users, Raphael was so bold as to move into an American senior living community for two months. As a 20-something startup founder, he ate breakfast with 80-year-olds, attended their lectures, and lived their daily reality.
Through this experience, he uncovered a deeper issue than he'd initially set out to solve. Sure, people loved sharing their life stories with AI, but the real problem was something else: caregivers drowning in so much paperwork they barely had time for actual human connection. Here was a clear market problem to go solve.
By 2040, nearly one-third of our population will be over 65, but we'll have less than half the caregivers we need. That's not a distant problem - that's a crisis happening right now.
In this episode, Rafael shares how MemoMate evolved from a biography tool to an AI assistant that's tackling one of society's biggest challenges. This is exactly the kind of practical AI application we need - one that starts with the problem, not the solution.
Connect With Us
🔥 Podcast Website (https://www.impactinnovators.com)
Note: This episode was recorded in February 2025. Regulations and market conditions discussed may have evolved since recording.
In this episode of Impact Innovators at the Fireside, we sit down with Chingiskhan Kazakhstan and Max Schalow, the determined founders of SELANA and Bondi. From their chance meeting over shared Chinese takeout as international students to becoming pioneers in sustainable urban mobility, they share their remarkable five-year journey to create the Netherlands' first legal e-scooter.
Around our campfire, we explore how these innovators persevered through shifting regulations, financial challenges, and multiple moments of near-defeat to transform urban transportation. They reveal how their vision extends beyond just selling e-scooters – they're building a future where shared, sustainable vehicles replace car dependency in cities worldwide.
The conversation dives into critical questions about safety concerns, battery recycling, and how to measure real environmental impact. We also discuss their bold vision for cities in 2040 – spaces with zero traffic deaths, autonomous transport, and vibrant, car-free public areas.
Join us for an authentic look at the intersection of environmental impact, regulatory innovation, and the resilient entrepreneurial spirit driving meaningful change in how we move through our cities.
Featured Guests
Connect With Us
Note: This episode was recorded in late 2024. Regulations and market conditions discussed may have evolved since recording.
Production credits and thanks yous:
Music by Allerd van den Bremen
What if we could harness AI's immense power not for profit maximization, but to solve humanity's greatest challenges? In this intimate fireside conversation, Buster Franken, founder of Fruitpunch AI, reveals how he's building a global community of 4,500 AI engineers dedicated to tackling critical world problems.
From developing facial recognition for seals to detect ecosystem health, to exposing industrial polluters through AI-powered monitoring, Buster's engineers are proving that technology can be a powerful force for good. But this isn't just another tech success story – it's about a fundamental shift in how we approach artificial intelligence and its role in society.
Recorded by the warmth of a wood stove in our forest cabin, this thoughtful discussion explores:
Whether you're an engineer looking to make a difference or simply curious about technology's potential to solve global challenges, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insights into how we can harness AI for the greater good.
Location: Recorded in a forest setting in The Netherlands
Chapters
🤝 Fruitpunch Community - Join 4,500+ AI engineers making an impact: https://www.fruitpunch.ai/
🤖 For Tech Leaders & CTO - Partner with Fruitpunch for impact-driven AI training: https://www.fruitpunch.ai/partners
🎯 Fruitpunch AI Challenges - Join upcoming challenges: https://app.fruitpunch.ai/challenges
🎓 UN Sustainable Development Goals - Learn about the goals driving their mission: sdgs.un.org/goals
📱 Follow Buster Franken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buster-franken/
📱 Follow Arjé Cahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/
Note: This episode was recorded in late 2024. Regulations and market conditions discussed may have evolved since recording.
Production credits and thanks yous:
Music by Allerd van den Bremen
Production by Peter van Dijk, podcastvoorbedrijven.nl
Disclosure: Through Shamrock Ventures, the host has invested in some of the companies featured on this podcast, including Fruitpunch.ai.
In this episode of Impact Innovators, we dive deep into the battle against digital distraction with Caroline Cadwell, co-founder of Unpluq. After experiencing burnout from constant digital interruptions in her own tech career, Caroline set out to solve one of modern life's most pervasive challenges: our inability to disconnect from our phones.
Rather than advocating for digital abstinence, Caroline shares Unpluq's innovative approach: using physical technology to help us make more intentional choices about our screen time. The results speak for themselves - users save an average of 82 minutes daily for offline activities, with lasting behavioral change that extends far beyond the typical app retention rates.
We explore the fascinating evolution of our attention crisis, from the rise of 24/7 news to today's algorithmic content feeds. Caroline offers unique insights into why traditional digital wellness solutions fail and how adding physical friction to our phone use might be the key to reclaiming our attention.
Whether you're a tech professional questioning your relationship with technology, a parent concerned about screen time, or simply someone who's ever fallen into a two-hour social media vortex after checking the time, this episode offers practical wisdom for breaking free from digital distraction while staying connected to technology's benefits.
Key Topics:
Chapters:
🔄 Break free from distraction with Unpluq: https://unpluq.com
💰 Join Unpluq's investment round: https://wefunder.com/unpluq
🎯 Follow Caroline Cadwell https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinecadwell/
🧠 Center for Humane Technology - Understanding the attention economy: https://www.humanetech.com
📱 Follow Arjé Cahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/
**Production credits and thanks yous:**
Music by Allerd van den Bremen
In this captivating fireside conversation, host Arjé Cahn sits down with Kees van Santen, founder of Cawa, to explore the complex world of voluntary carbon credits and the quest for genuine climate impact. Against the backdrop of a crackling campfire in the Dutch forest, they dive deep into the challenges and opportunities in the carbon credit market.
Key Discussion Points:
Location: Recorded in a forest setting in The Netherlands
Chapters
👤 Follow Kees van Santen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kees-van-santen-606a22b2/
🌿 Learn more about Cawa: https://www.cawa.tech/
🔍 EU Green Claims Directive: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/circular-economy/green-claims_en
🌳 Gold Standard for Carbon Credits: https://www.goldstandard.org/
✅ Verra Carbon Standard: https://verra.org/
📱 Follow Arjé Cahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/
Referenced in Episode:
Note: This episode was recorded in late 2024. Regulations and market conditions discussed may have evolved since recording.
Production credits and thanks yous:
Music by Allerd van den Bremen
Production by Peter van Dijk, podcastvoorbedrijven.nl
Disclosure: Through Shamrock Ventures, the host has invested in some of the companies featured on this podcast, including Cawa.