How do ambitious innovators turn some of the world's biggest problems into tomorrow's breakthrough businesses?
Around a crackling campfire deep in the woods, tech founders share their journey from global challenge to game-changing solution. Host Arjé Cahn, who built his own startup into a unicorn before becoming an impact investor, digs deep into what really works. Raw, thoughtful conversations about building companies that matter.
AI Tackling the Caregiver Crisis with Raphael Rubens of MemoMate
Raphael Rubens of MemoMate discusses with Arjé Cahn how his company uses AI to assist caregivers overwhelmed with paperwork, improving their ability to provide human connection in elderly care, in this interview.
29 Apr 2025
Disrupting Car Culture with Selana and the Bondi Boys
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.
(00:00) - Disrupting Car Culture with Selana and the Bondi Boys
(02:33) - Early Days
(03:40) - Birth of the Mobility Idea
(06:00) - Downsides of Car Ownership, Pollution
(07:33) - Launching from The Netherlands
(11:37) - Market Research and Competition
(13:12) - From Bike Sharing to Estep Sharing
(14:12) - Learning from the Competition
(16:22) - Future Plans and Expansion
(17:50) - Demo ride
(19:09) - Product Tech
(21:36) - Taking cars off the road
(25:56) - Longevity and Sustainability
(26:54) - Battery Replacement and Recycling
(28:38) - Impact on Urban Mobility
(29:48) - Oh Shit Moments
(31:52) - Team Dynamics and Growth
(33:39) - Production and Quality Control
(34:15) - "That's What Makes us Keep Working"
Relevant Links
🛴 SELANA (https://selana.nl/) Creating road-legal e-scooters and sustainable mobility solutions
Featured Guests
🔗 LinkedIn: Chinghiskhan Kazakhstan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chingiskhan/)
🔗 LinkedIn: Max Schalow (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxschalow/)
🔗 LinkedIn: Arjé Cahn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/)
Connect With Us
🔥 Podcast Website (https://www.impactinnovators.com)
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
27 Jan 2025
Teaching AI to Save Humanity with Buster Franken of Fruitpunch.AI
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:
How AI is being used to protect endangered species and monitor environmental violations
The power of challenge-based learning in developing real-world AI solutions
Why Buster believes we need 1 million AI engineers by 2030 to "change the course of humanity"
The journey from non-profit to sustainable business model while maintaining impact
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/ (https://www.fruitpunch.ai/)
🤖 For Tech Leaders & CTO - Partner with Fruitpunch for impact-driven AI training: https://www.fruitpunch.ai/partners (https://www.fruitpunch.ai/partners)
🎯 Fruitpunch AI Challenges - Join upcoming challenges: https://app.fruitpunch.ai/challenges (https://app.fruitpunch.ai/challenges)
🎓 UN Sustainable Development Goals - Learn about the goals driving their mission: sdgs.un.org/goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)
📱 Follow Buster Franken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buster-franken/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/buster-franken/)
📱 Follow Arjé Cahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjecahn/ (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 (https://www.shamrockventures.nl/), the host has invested in some of the companies featured on this podcast, including Fruitpunch.ai.
18 Dec 2024
Defeating Digital Distraction with Caroline Cadwell of Unpluq
Caroline Cadwell, co-founder of Unpluq, shares her innovative approach to overcoming digital distraction by using physical technology to help people make intentional choices about their screen time, reclaiming their attention and time.
10 Dec 2024
The Carbon Credit Dilemma with Kees van Santen, co-founder of Cawa
Arjé Cahn sits down with Kees van Santen, co-founder of Cawa, to explore the complex world of voluntary carbon credits and the quest for genuine climate impact through transparency and efficiency in carbon credit transactions.
Who has been a guest on Impact Innovators at the Fireside
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Raphael Rubens
Caroline Cadwell
Kees van Santen
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
438
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
66
Engagement
32
Contact Impact Innovators at the Fireside
Guest appearances
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