Hey friends,
This week’s stories explore how innovation and purpose continue to intersect across industries, from redefining celebration through non-alcoholic wine to accelerating the global shift toward sustainability and responsible technology.
Our featured interview highlights Oddbird, the Swedish company transforming the wine industry by proving that sophistication and celebration don’t need alcohol.
We also revisit our latest case study on Warby Parker, a mission-driven brand that reimagined the eyewear industry while building a company rooted in access and impact.
On the global stage, the SOSV Climate Tech Summit kicks off next week, spotlighting founders and investors driving solutions for energy, mobility, and decarbonization.
And in this week’s impact headlines, we track new funding from Redwood Materials, Bezos Earth Fund, and Toyota, alongside the NBA Foundation’s grant program empowering the next generation of innovators.
Let’s get into it.
— Grant
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Featured Interview
How Oddbird Is Redefining Wine and Changing Our Relationship with Alcohol
Oddbird is transforming the wine industry, proving that world-class wines can be just as sophisticated and celebratory without alcohol.
Founded in Sweden in 2013 by a former social worker who witnessed the impact of alcoholism on families firsthand, Oddbird was born from a desire to challenge the role of alcohol in modern culture.
Today, the brand stands as a pioneer in the dealcoholized wine movement, serving at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park, and even partnering with Porsche in Sweden, where each new car is delivered with a bottle of Oddbird’s sparkling wine.
Joining his mother’s mission, Mehmet Gürbüzer now leads the company as CEO, turning her vision into a global brand.
Under his leadership, Oddbird has rapidly expanded across international markets, achieving 200% growth in the U.S. since launching late last year, selling over 7 million bottles annually, and generating nearly $30 million in revenue.
At the heart of Oddbird’s philosophy is the idea of being liberated from alcohol. The team partners with renowned vineyards across Italy, France, and Spain, hand-selecting high-quality varietals for natural fermentation.
Each wine is aged for 12–36 months before undergoing a patented vacuum-distillation process that gently removes the alcohol while preserving complexity, structure, and flavor.
Every bottle represents a meticulous four-to-five-year journey, a labor of love that celebrates craftsmanship, culture, and conscious living.
In this Founder Spotlight, we speak with Mehmet Gürbüzer, CEO of Oddbird, to explore how the brand started, the mission driving its growth, and how it’s quietly reshaping how we think about wine and wellbeing.
Case Study: Warby Parker
Warby Parker revolutionized the eyewear industry by making stylish, high-quality glasses affordable while giving back through its “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” model.
This case study explores how the company’s blend of design, accessibility, and social mission reshaped consumer expectations and built one of the most trusted brands in modern retail.
Upcoming Event
SOSV Climate Tech Summit 2025
Date: November 3-7, 2025
Location: Virtual - Online
This year’s SOSV Climate Tech Summit gathers founders, investors, and researchers advancing the technologies that will define a sustainable future. The summit features conversations on energy innovation, materials science, decarbonization, and climate finance from leading voices in venture and science.
🔗 Register for free →
📰 News & Funding Rounds
Redwood Materials Secures $350M Series E to Advance Battery Recycling
Funding: $350 million (Series E)
Goal: Scale battery material recycling to support electric vehicle supply chains
Impact: Closing the loop on critical minerals and reducing EV production emissions
Burnt Island Ventures Announces $50M Second Seed Fund for Water Innovation
Funding: $50 million
Goal: Back early-stage water startups tackling global water challenges
Impact: Accelerating solutions in water efficiency, reuse, and resilience
Smart Grid Analytics Raises $3.3M to Power Next-Generation Energy Intelligence
Funding: $3.3 million
Goal: Improve energy grid efficiency through AI-based analytics and renewable project data
Impact: Helping utilities deploy smarter, cleaner, and more resilient power systems
Membrion Secures $20M to Advance Industrial Water Circularity
Funding: $20 million
Goal: Scale its ceramic membrane technology for wastewater recycling
Impact: Reducing industrial water waste and driving efficiency in global manufacturing
NBA Foundation Opens Grant Program to Support Youth Employment Initiatives
Funding: Varies (Applications open until November 14, 2025)
Goal: Fund organizations providing mentorship, skills training, and career advancement for under-resourced youth aged 14–24
Impact: Empowering young people to gain meaningful work experience and long-term career opportunities
Bezos Earth Fund Commits $30M to Advance AI for Climate and Nature
Funding: $30 million
Goal: Harness AI for climate modeling, biodiversity tracking, and environmental decision-making
Impact: Accelerating data-driven solutions to protect ecosystems and advance global sustainability
Serena Capital Raises €200M to Back Applied AI and Energy Transition Startups
Funding: €200 million
Goal: Support European founders innovating in artificial intelligence and sustainable energy
Impact: Strengthening Europe’s role in the global shift toward climate and data-driven economies
Grant Trahant
Founder | Causeartist + Causeartist BackOffice
Host | Disruptors for Good + Investing in Impact
Venture Partner | Pay it Forward Ventures
Connect: LinkedIn | X
