When the world seems so deeply divided, how can we step across barriers and preconceived notions to build avenues for conversation and collaboration? In this episode, Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storytelling Officer at National Geographic, argues that storytelling could hold the key. National Geographic has become synonymous with eye-opening, awe-inspiring, perspective-shifting storytelling. They have been honing the craft for well over a century, telling stories that have helped to alter perceptions, build coalitions, pass legislation, and ignite movements. Kaitlin shares the components for effective storytelling, from the narrative elements to tapping into the right emotions and having a clear understanding of your audience and how to reach them. At S2G, we consider storytelling to be one of the key ingredients for the climate transition. This episode so beautifully illuminates the potential of storytelling and how to tap into its power to move audiences and bring more people into the conversation.

Key Topics:

1. Tapping Into Awe Instead of Fear: Kaitlin shares some of the research behind which emotions drive people to action. While fear, shame, and anger can motivate someone to act in the short term, emotions like awe, wonder, and hope can get people to think and act differently in the long term.
2. Translating Science to Storytelling: According to Kaitlin, we need to bring characters into science stories, get creative with communicating scale, and maybe even do a little reframing of the scientific method.
3. Knowing your audience: As Kaitlin says, “The audience is everything.” It is not enough to say you are creating something “for the public.” We have to have a very clear understanding of who we’re speaking to and what they will relate to.
4. Communicating about Climate: Kaitlin has a very simple message for those of us trying to communicate and educate about climate: We have to try harder. Polar bears don’t move everyone. We have to reframe the conversation based on what different communities care about.
5. Storytelling Tips and Tricks: Find the visuals, know the audience, and don’t forget the humor.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

What do bioactives, aquaculture operations, and warehouses have in common? They can all be powered by AI. In honor of spooky season, we’re taking you on a cross-sector journey to explore a topic that can sometimes get a scary rep. We recently released a report that identifies use cases for AI across our focus sectors and evaluates the challenges and opportunities to see where AI can drive significant business value and environmental benefits. In this episode, we’ll hear from Vikram Sharma, operating partner at S2G, about the findings from the report and the opportunities for cross-sector collaboration for AI-based technologies. We also speak to some of the entrepreneurs in S2G’s portfolio about how they’re employing AI to discover plant-based bioactives to address specific health outcomes, improve the financial viability and sustainability of aquaculture operations, and make inventory management more efficient, transparent, and safe for workers. Join us as we learn about the applications and opportunities that are getting us pretty excited for the future of this much-talked-about technology.


Key Topics:

1. Cross-pollination Opportunities: One of the report's key findings is that entrepreneurs have a tremendous opportunity to share insights and lessons from similar AI use cases across non-competitive sectors.
2. Navigating AI Adoption Challenges: Vikram speaks about some of the obstacles facing adoption, such as regulatory hurdles and the energy demands of data centers. He stresses the importance of transparency and data accessibility to fully leverage AI's potential, as well as his conviction that all companies should be exploring how AI could support their businesses.
3. Revolutionizing Supply Chains with AI: Jackie Wu from Corvus Robotics details how the company’s autonomous drones are transforming inventory management, performing 10x faster scans, and improving accuracy.
4. AI-Powered Discovery Platforms: Lee Chae of Brightseed explains how their AI platform, Forager, is exploring the mysterious world of plants to identify bioactives with specific human health benefits. Forager is helping to reduce the time and cost of getting a novel product to market.
5. AI for Resource Management: Matt Zimola of ReelData shares how their AI-powered platform is enabling aquaculture companies to reduce resource-use while optimizing fish growth, helping to bolster an industry that has great potential to provide a critical and sustainable protein source.

Resources:
Thee AI Opportunity: Unlocking Climate Solutions and Productivity in a Volatile World

Please note that S2G invests in the companies discussed on this podcast.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

In this episode, we’re digging into successful strategies for corporate innovation with Audre Kapacinskas, Principal of Corporate Development at S2G, and Ryan Smith, Chief Growth Officer and Executive Vice President at Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition, a multinational food and biotechnology company focused on seasonings. Audre shares five takeaways from over 600 conversations with corporates about driving effective innovation in the face of significant challenges to making the kind of rapid, large-scale progress needed to meet global sustainability commitments. Audre then speaks with Ryan about how Ajinomoto encourages innovation and utilizes the company’s distinct advantages as well as novel business models to position itself for growth. We hope that these conversations can support companies in driving growth while achieving their sustainability objectives and spark broader discussions around effective corporate strategies and how we better convene groups and share best practices.

Key Topics:

1. The Importance of People, Structure, and Culture: At a time when CEO turnover is spiking, Audre highlights the importance of having the right people in the right positions to shield teams working on long-term growth initiatives from disruptions. Ryan explains that at Ajinomoto, listening to employees and customers is a key part of the company’s search for innovation.
2. The Need for Clear, Strategic Direction: Audre speaks about how having clarity and consensus around strategic objectives can help leaders build trust within their organizations and encourage widespread buy-in.
3. Leveraging Distinct Advantages: According to Audre, many companies that innovate successfully do so by taking advantage of their entire organizational structure and expertise. She uses Koch Disruptive Technologies as an example of a company that is proactively sending new products out to its different business units to enable business development opportunities while identifying new technology use cases. Ryan shares that Ajinomoto’s ability to vet startups through its internal processes gives it a leg up in conversations with potential customers.
4. Integrating Innovation Initiatives with a Long-Term View: Audre recommends setting up a strategic roadmap and enabling the people within your organization to execute against it. According to Audre, “Once you have a plan and feel good about it, empower it and fund it.”
5. Embracing New Business Models: S2G’s Corporate Development team is seeing new business models bolster innovation engines within corporations, and that creative financing and risk management can make companies more willing to experiment. Ryan speaks to Ajinomoto’s effort to surprise their customers by exploring many different angles of food production beyond just ingredients.

Resources:
Adapt or Collapse: 5 Lessons for Scaling Sustainability to Drive Growth

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.