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Causeartist Weekly #289 - New AI Podcast Launch + $190M in Impact Funding

Explore the latest in impact tech and finance, including the launch of the Modular Minds AI podcast, a $61M fintech inclusion fund, regenerative agriculture certification, and startup news spanning climate, education, and working parent support.

Causeartist Weekly #289 - New AI Podcast Launch + $190M in Impact Funding

Hey friends,

As we head into a busy September, I’ve been reflecting on just how quickly the world of impact is evolving. Whether it’s regenerative agriculture reshaping our food systems, climate tech startups rethinking infrastructure, or fintech ventures unlocking new pathways to financial inclusion—there’s real energy behind the movement right now.

This week’s lineup is a perfect snapshot of that momentum.

You’ll find a mix of funding rounds, bold new certifications, and purpose-built innovations pushing the boundaries of what’s possible across industries.

Behind the scenes, I’ve also been working on a new podcast show that I’m really excited to share, something that explores the future of technology and how it intersects with our everyday lives.

It’s still early days, but you’ll get the first glimpse below.

Thanks for reading each week.

Let’s dive in.

— Grant


Podcast Interview - Meet Trusty: The AI Powered Letter of Wishes for Passing Down What Matters

Trusty is building a simple, human way to pass down more than money. In this episode, Trusty co-founder and CEO Randy Frisch joins to share how a digital Letter of Wishes, paired with AI and secure sharing, can reduce confusion for families, bring advisors into the loop, and preserve the stories behind the things we love.

Full interview here


New Podcast Launch - Modular Minds

Presented by Ultrasafe, Modular Minds, features candid conversations with AI startup founders, industry leaders, and public sector pioneers shaping the next chapter of artificial intelligence.

From emerging startups rethinking how AI is built, to large enterprises deploying it at scale, Modular Minds explores how today’s most innovative thinkers are navigating the complex intersection of technology, finance, robotics, policy, and impact.

Each episode dives into the philosophies, real-world applications, and future possibilities of AI—asking not just how AI works, but how it should work for society, industry, and humanity.

What We Talk About:

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Spotify

📰 News & Funding

Plural Raises $7M to Tokenize Climate Impact

Funding: $7 million
Goal: Create a decentralized platform for tokenizing and verifying carbon credits
Impact: Empower businesses and individuals to invest in transparent, verifiable climate solutions 🔗 Read more

Tokenizing Climate Impact: Plural Raises $7M to Transform Energy Financing
By making small and mid-scale clean energy projects investable at scale, Plural is helping close the multi-trillion-dollar financing gap for climate solutions while strengthening grid resilience and accelerating the global energy transition.

Camelback Ventures Opens New Founder Applications

Funding: Rolling applications open
Goal: Support underrepresented entrepreneurs in education, health, and economic mobility
Impact: Increased funding, mentorship, and visibility for diverse founders

🔗 Apply here


Rainforest Alliance Launches Regenerative Agriculture Certification for Coffee

Goal: Provide a framework for verifying regenerative practices in coffee farming
Impact: Encourage climate-resilient and biodiversity-friendly coffee production

🔗 Read more

Rainforest Alliance Launches Regenerative Agriculture Certification for Coffee
Certified products will begin reaching the market in 2026, offering consumers a trusted seal that supports both farming communities and the environment.

Accion Launches $61M Fintech Fund for Inclusion

Funding: $61 million
Goal: Back early-stage fintech startups driving financial access in underserved markets
Impact: Expand access to inclusive financial tools in Latin America, Africa, and South Asia 🔗 Read more

Accion Launches $61.6M Fund to Back Fintech Startups Driving Financial Inclusion
Through Accion Ventures, the organization will back innovators across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the U.S. building tools to close the $5.7 trillion financing gap for small businesses and bring 1.6 billion unbanked people into the digital economy.

Nitricity Raises $50M to Scale Circular Fertilizer Tech

Funding: $50 million Series B
Goal: Convert almond waste into organic fertilizer via proprietary plasma tech
Impact: Reduce dependence on fossil fuels and synthetic fertilizers in agriculture

🔗 Read more


Parento Raises $5.9M to Support Working Parents

Funding: $5.9 million
Goal: Provide paid parental leave programs for small and mid-sized companies
Impact: Help businesses retain talent and support caregivers equitably

🔗 Learn more


Euclid Power Secures $15M for Solar Deployment

Funding: $15 million Series A
Goal: Expand software and services that streamline commercial solar project execution
Impact: Accelerate clean energy adoption through operational efficiency

🔗 Read more


Grant Trahant
Founder | Causeartist + Causeartist BackOffice
Host | Disruptors for Good + Investing in Impact 
Venture Partner | Pay it Forward Ventures
Connect: LinkedIn | X

Grant Trahant

Grant Trahant

Founder of Causeartist and Partner at Pay it Forward Ventures

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