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Causeartist Weekly #290 - Nature-Based Carbon, GovTech AI, Inside JFF Ventures, and Sustainable Wallcoverings

Inside: A Q&A with JFF Ventures on aligning mission with venture capital, a spotlight on sustainable design from Anduba, and $500M+ in impact funding across climate, fintech, AI, and health from Chestnut Carbon, VoLo Earth, and more.

Causeartist Weekly #290 - Nature-Based Carbon, GovTech AI, Inside JFF Ventures, and Sustainable Wallcoverings

Hey friends,

We’re back with another packed edition of the Causeartist Weekly, and this one truly spans the spectrum of impact. From reshaping government services and nutrition access to scaling nature-based carbon removal and funding deep decarbonization, the momentum across climate, health, and civic innovation is undeniable.

This week, we also feature a powerful conversation with JFFVentures on aligning nonprofit missions with venture capital, and a design-forward Q&A with Anduba, a sustainable wallcoverings company inspired by rainforest textures and Indigenous craftsmanship.

Thanks as always for being part of this community. Let’s dive in.

— Grant


Podcast Interview - JFFVentures – Aligning Nonprofit Mission with Venture Capital

In this episode of the Investing in Impact podcast, I sit down with Yigal Kerszenbaum, Managing Partner at JFFVentures, to explore how a mission driven investment fund partners with a national nonprofit to expand access, skills, and quality jobs for working adults.

Full interview here


Spotlight Q&A - Anduba – Sustainable Wallcoverings That Honor Rainforest Textures

Anduba is redefining the role of design by merging sustainability, cultural preservation, and contemporary aesthetics.

Founded by Flavia Pereira, the company partners with Indigenous artists and transforms recycled materials into sustainable wallcoverings that are PVC-free and Red List Free.

The goal is to show that design can move beyond decoration to become a vehicle for cultural storytelling, environmental responsibility, and human connection.

Born in the Brazilian Amazon and armed with more than 20 years of business experience, Flavia was inspired to launch Anduba after reconnecting with the values of Indigenous communities, simplicity, sustainability, and community.

Full interview

From the Amazon to Modern Spaces: The Story Behind Anduba’s Sustainable Wallcoverings
Anduba, founded by Flavia Pereira, is reshaping the design industry through sustainable wallcoverings that blend Indigenous artistry with modern aesthetics.

📰 News & Funding

Turnout Raises $21M to Simplify Government Services

Funding: $21 million
Goal: Streamline citizen access to government services
Impact: Making digital government faster, more inclusive, and human-centered

🔗 Learn more about Turnout →


Nutrium Secures $12M Series A for Personalized Nutrition Software

Funding: $12 million
Goal: Scale AI-driven nutrition platforms for dietitians and health orgs
Impact: Making professional nutrition care more accessible and data-informed

🔗 Learn more about Nutrium →


Chestnut Carbon Raises $90M to Scale Nature-Based Removal

Funding: $90 million
Goal: Expand afforestation and reforestation carbon projects in the U.S.
Impact: Accelerating natural carbon removal at meaningful scale

🔗 Read more →

Chestnut Carbon Raises $90 Million to Scale Nature-Based Carbon Removal Projects Across the U.S.
Chestnut Carbon has raised an additional $90 million in Series B funding, bringing its total to $250 million to scale U.S.-based afforestation projects.

Xampla secures $14 million new investment to replace 10 billion units of single-use plastic

Funding: $14M
Goal: Scale sustainable materials to replace microplastics in packaging
Impact: Tackling plastic pollution at the molecular level

🔗 Read more →


OpenAI Launches Grove — New AI Infrastructure Program

Funding: Internal investment
Goal: Provide compute infrastructure for AI startups in critical sectors
Impact: Empowering developers building AI for education, energy, and beyond

🔗 Read more →


Greenlite Raises $49.5M to Fix Permitting with AI

Funding: $49.5 million
Goal: Automate permitting and inspection workflows with AI tools
Impact: Speeding up infrastructure and real estate development

🔗 Read more →


VoLo Earth Ventures Closes $135M Fund II for Deep Climate Innovation

Funding: $135 million
Goal: Back energy, mobility, and industrial climate solutions
Impact: Building a repeatable strategy for early-stage climate venture success

🔗 Learn more about the fund →


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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