Hey friends,
Welcome to the final edition of 2025 as we prepare to step into a new year of purpose-driven innovation.
This week’s stories point to something important happening beneath the surface of the impact economy.
We are seeing systems mature.
Impact investing has crossed $1 trillion in assets. Governments are stepping in not just as regulators, but as builders of innovation infrastructure. Climate, education, and technology are no longer operating in separate lanes.
They are converging.
What stands out most is how intentional many of these efforts are.
From Iraq launching its first government-backed climate and innovation hub, to Massachusetts rolling out long-term tax incentives for climate tech companies, to global capital flowing into AI-designed materials and bio-based manufacturing, the emphasis has shifted from experimentation to durability.
We are also opening nominations for Causeartist Next - Social Entrepreneurs to Watch for in 2026, our annual list spotlighting founders building real, measurable solutions.
It is one of the most energizing parts of the year for us, and a reminder that progress is driven by people willing to commit for the long haul.
Let’s get into it.
— Grant
Featured Resource
Nominate Now: Social Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026
Do you know a founder building a real solution in climate, health, education, fintech, food, or ethical supply chains? We are officially taking nominations for our annual Social Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026 list.
Our list is editorially selected and reviewed for real traction and measurable impact. Nominations are free, we want to hear about the people moving the needle in their communities and industries.
Every year this is our most viewed and shared post of the year!
Conscious Consumerism is the practice of making purchasing decisions based on a company’s social, environmental, and ethical impact, not just price or convenience.
It reflects a shift in consumer behavior where people support brands that prioritize sustainability, fair labor, transparency, and responsible sourcing. Conscious consumerism has become a powerful market force, influencing how companies design products, manage supply chains, and define long-term success
🗞️ News and Headlines
- Iraq’s First Public Innovation & Climate Hub: In Thi-Qar, southern Iraq, a public youth center has been transformed into the Souq Al-Shoyukh Community and Climate Hub (SSCH). Co-financed by UNDP Iraq and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, it features a smart farm model and tech labs to drive climate-smart agriculture and youth entrepreneurship. Read More on UNDP
- Impact Investing Assets Top $1 Trillion: A new year-end report from PitchBook confirms Impact AUM has officially crossed the $1T mark. Crucially, the analysis shows that median impact fund performance is now matching non-impact peers, effectively debunking the myth that impact requires lower returns. Read the PitchBook Report
- Global EdTech Spend Reaches $404B: As of late 2025, digital spend in education has hit a record milestone. The industry is moving away from basic hardware toward "Smarter Integration," where AI-enabled wearables and social robotics are being utilized to bridge equity gaps in K-12 schools. Read the HolonIQ Analysis
- Massachusetts Launches $30M Climatetech Tax Incentives: Administered by MassCEC, the new Climatetech Tax Incentives Program (CTIP) offers $30 million annually to companies engaged in climate R&D and manufacturing. The goal is to solidify the state as a hub for green deployment. Apply by Feb 18, 2026
- MIT Playbook for Climate Entrepreneurs: MIT Sloan has released a new playbook specifically for energy and climate entrepreneurs, highlighting why these founders need a different strategy than traditional software startups to navigate high capital costs and long regulatory timelines. Read the Playbook
🌎 Events and Opportunities
- Amex Shop Small Grants Program: Offering $20,000 grants to help U.S. small businesses grow. Applicants must have a brick-and-mortar presence and 20 or fewer employees. Apply by Jan 16, 2026
- MIT Climate & Energy Prize 2026: A global launchpad for student-led startups, providing non-dilutive funding, mentorship, and access to an international investor network. Apply to MIT CEP
- Miller Center for Global Impact Accelerator: Applications are open for the June 2026 cohort. This no-cost, virtual program is designed for social enterprises with at least $50k in revenue looking to scale. Apply at Miller Center
- Comcast Innovation Fund: Providing grants from $3,000 to $150,000 for projects that advance internet technology, routing security, and quantum computing-related cybersecurity. Apply Now
💰 Funding and Capital Watch
- Aether Bio raises $15 million to manufacture new materials using AI-designed proteins. The round was led by Tribe Capital and focuses on the intersection of synthetic biology and low-impact manufacturing.
- Qorium secures €22 million to scale its lab-grown, cell-based leather alternative. The Dutch startup aims to provide a sustainable replacement for animal hides in the luxury fashion market.
- Overview Energy closes a $20M Seed round for its revolutionary technology: satellites that beam laser energy to utility-scale solar farms on Earth.
- Pyxis secures $10 million in growth funding to scale maritime electrification in Asia. The Singapore-based startup enables ports and vessels to shift from fossil fuels to electric and hybrid propulsion.
- Black Bull Biochar raises £4 million (split between equity and debt) to scale biochar production for carbon removal and sustainable agriculture.
Grant Trahant
Founder | Causeartist
Host | Disruptors for Good + Investing in Impact
Venture Partner | Pay it Forward Ventures
Connect: LinkedIn | X
