Coffee with Changemakers

Turning Risks into Rewards: Impact Investing in Africa

Riki Yamauchi is a venture capitalist at Novastar Ventures, focused on driving sustainable growth through impactful investments in Africa. In this episode, Riki shares his journey from a successful finance career in Japan to becoming a leading advocate for startup innovation in Africa. 
Riki discusses the unique opportunities and challenges of venture capital in Africa, highlighting how startups are innovating to solve local problems and drive positive change. He also reflects on the importance of measuring impact in his investments, the critical role of building trust in the venture capital space, and how young entrepreneurs are shaping Africa’s future.
Join us as Riki shares his personal experiences, lessons learned from navigating a new market, and offers advice to aspiring changemakers looking to make a difference through business and investment.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainable growth, and the transformative potential of venture capital in Africa.
 
Highlights:
 
03:11 Riki's Journey: From Finance to Venture Capital
06:02 Understanding Venture Capital: A New Perspective
15:07 Spotlight on Startups: Innovations in Africa
17:56 Life in Kenya: Surprises and Insights
21:14 Challenges Faced: Personal and Professional Growth
24:05 The Drive for Impact: Riki’s Motivation
26:58 Reflections on Growth: Lessons Learned
29:46 Advice for Aspiring Change Makers
33:09 Future Endeavors: What's Next for Riki and NovaStar
Follow Riki and his team at Novastar Ventures here:https://www.novastarventures.com/

Building a Legacy of Learning: Peduli’s Impact on Indonesia’s Youth

Dedy Tien is the Founder of the Peduli Learning Center, a nonprofit organisation empowering children in rural Indonesia through education.
Growing up in a remote village without electricity, Dedy’s journey to becoming an education innovator and social entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring.
In this episode, Dedy shares how he transformed his personal challenges into a passion for providing local children with essential skills such as English proficiency, entrepreneurship, and communication.
He delves into the evolution of Peduli Learning Center, discussing the hurdles he faced in building the organisation, as well as the impact it has on the community. 
Dedy also explores the role of mentors and the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT to improve the learning experience for both students and educators.
Join us for a deep dive into the importance of continuous learning, the power of mentorship, and how technology is shaping the future of education in rural communities.
Highlights
06:36 A Growing Interest in Social Entrepreneurship15:55 Challenges and Growth of the Peduli Learning Center32:52 Using AI Tools like ChatGPT in Education44:33 Key Skills for Students and Future Plans
Follow Dedy & the Peduli Learning Centre here: https://peduli.school/ 

From Trash to Treasure: Pioneering Waste Solutions in South Africa

Thomas Chevallier, Co-founder and Director of Plant the Seed, launched a community-run organic farm as a student. Years later, this evolved into an impact-driven business providing end-to-end waste management solutions to South African schools and businesses. 
Plant the Seed has diverted 100,000+kgs of waste from landfills through its innovative ‘Zero Waste Toolkit’, as well as empowering 17,000+ people, including 1,000+ educators, with training in recycling and waste management.
We follow Thomas’ journey from starting a student movement to leading a revolutionary waste management business. He explores the challenges and successes of turning a passion into a business, finding ‘bleeding neck problems’, and how his team uses creative videos and nudges to drive behaviour change in schools.
Join us for an uplifting conversation about entrepreneurship, waste management, perseverance, education, and Thomas’ ongoing mission for a cleaner, greener future.Highlights
06:09 Launching the Student Organic Farm11:01 Challenges in Establishing a Sustainable Business16:05 Identifying the 'Bleeding Neck Problem'24:02 The Zero Waste Toolkit: A Comprehensive Solution30:33 Systems Thinking in Action37:11 Bridging Gaps: Education and Infrastructure44:34 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Challenges and Motivations50:20 Key Learnings, Reflections & Future Aspirations
Follow Thomas & Plant The Seed here: https://planttheseed.co.za/  

From Bullied to Builder: The 15-Year-Old Creating Lifelines for Teens

Anaiah Singh is a 15-year-old changemaker and the creator of HeartTalk, an app transforming teen mental health through peer-to-peer voice messaging. 
Inspired by her own struggles with bullying and isolation, Anaiah is on a mission to provide a lifeline for teens facing loneliness and mental health challenges.
Her Instagram account reached 30 million+ people and the beta version of her app attracted 3,000+ users within weeks.
In this episode, Anaiah shares her journey from a struggling middle schooler to a teen entrepreneur, discussing the youth mental health crisis and the challenges of building a supportive community. She reflects on personal growth, resilience, and the lessons learned in bringing her vision to life.
Join us for an inspiring conversation about using technology for good, building human connection, and Anaiah’s dream of a world where no teen feels alone.
Highlights
00:00 Anaiah’s Story
08:48 The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health
15:54 Building the MVP and Going Viral
20:57 Overcoming Challenges in Social Media
26:27 Reflections on Personal Growth
31:31 Encouragement for the Younger Self
Follow Anaiah and HeartTalk here: https://hearttalk.app/welcome_page   

201 Countries, 201 Stories, One Vision: The World Dream Project

"What is your dream?" That was the question Taichi Ichikawa, CEO of World Road, asked 201 young people from 201 countries.
Their answers are captured in his groundbreaking book, “We Have a Dream”, a collection of stories from around the globe focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
Taichi’s mission to empower young people quickly expanded beyond the page, inspiring a TV series on the Discovery Channel that showcases these powerful stories.
We explore how Taichi turned his vision into a global platform, building an education and training company, navigating the challenges of cross-cultural storytelling, and harnessing the power of community to drive change.
Join us for an uplifting conversation on dreaming big, resilience, and the power of storytelling to unite 201 countries with one vision.
Highlights03:03 Taichi's Journey: From Struggles to Inspiration09:02 The Birth of World Road and Its Mission11:56 Creating the Book: We Have a Dream18:07 Documentary and Media Collaborations21:04 Reflections on Inspiration and Community Support30:00 The Power of Vision and Support38:59 Common Threads in Dreams and Goals44:08 Advice for Aspiring Changemakers50:00 Finding Your Dream and Role Models
Follow Taichi & the World Dream Project: www.instagram.com/worlddreamproject

Beyond The Lens: Using Film as a Catalyst for Social Change

Anya Raza, a Pakistani-Dutch filmmaker, uses storytelling to challenge norms and drive social change. Known for her impactful documentaries, Anya’s work spans economic empowerment, humanitarian causes, human rights, and freedom of expression. For example, her film “How She Moves” follows classical dance guru Indu Mitha, showcasing her feminist and secular approach to dance in Pakistan, illustrating the power of art to inspire change.In this episode, Anya shares her journey from economics to filmmaking, reflecting on the importance of empathy, speaking up on sensitive issues, and connecting with audiences on a human level. Join us as Anya shares insights on navigating complex social issues, personal growth, and making an impact through storytelling.Highlights04:17 The Journey to Filmmaking07:22 Questioning the Status Quo11:23 The Power of Storytelling19:56 Inspiring Action Through Films21:21 Guiding Viewers to Take Action & Challenges31:43 Human Connection in Storytelling41:26 The Importance of Trusting Your Intuition46:49 Upcoming ProjectsFollow Anya and her impactful work here: https://www.instagram.com/anyarazaofficial/

Reimagining Classrooms: Building Tokyo’s School of the Future

Kai Childs is on a mission to change education with The Innovation Fellowship, a new international school in Tokyo that empowers students to explore their passions and build real-world skills.In this episode, we explore Kai’s path from career experimentation in his 20s to building a purpose-driven school in his 30s.At The Innovation Fellowship, students learn through project-based work, self-paced academics, and research. They tackle unique projects that spark their curiosity and build essential skills for the future. Kai candidly shares about the school's launch, the importance of a shared vision, and the power of starting small.Join us as we discuss reimagining education, building purpose-driven communities, and Kai’s take on meaningful, lasting change.Highlights00:00 Getting to know Kai13:26 Experimentation & Mindset Shift: From 20s to 30s21:28 Building a School: Launching the Innovation Fellowship in Tokyo28:42 Personalised Projects for Students35:01 Accreditation and a Well-Rounded Education36:38 Creating Value and Developing Real-World Skills52:21 The Importance of Alignment and Not Forcing ThingsFind out more about The Innovation Fellowship: https://www.innovationfellowship.org/

Sustainable Tourism & Slow Living in Japan’s First “Zero Waste Village”

Kana Watando is the Co-founder and Director of INOW Kamikatsu, an educational tourism organisation based in Japan’s first “Zero Waste village”, Kamikatsu. With a mission to integrate sustainable living practices into everyday life, Kana helps visitors immerse themselves in the village's unique and charming lifestyle, offering homestay experiences and hands-on educational programs that build deep connections between visitors and the local community.We explore Kana’s journey from Canada to rural Japan, examining the challenges and rewards of life in Kamikatsu, where 80% of the village's waste is diverted from landfills. This innovative approach has established the town as a leading example of sustainable living and waste management, serving as a model for communities in Japan and beyond.Join us for an inspiring conversation about Zero Waste living, rural revitalization, and the power of community-driven change.Highlights02:07 Kana’s Journey to Kamikatsu06:23 Choosing to Live in Rural Japan11:29 Zero Waste Efforts in Kamikatsu15:43 Projects and Impact of INOW Kamikatsu22:36 Tours and Experiences Creating Impact26:27 Overcoming Challenges in Sustainable Tourism and Education28:19 Deep Understanding of Place and Co-Creation in Sustainable Tourism32:04 Balancing the Needs of the Local Community and Authentic Experiences36:49 Seeking Community and Taking Things Step by StepFind out more about INOW Kamikatsu and follow Kana’s journey: https://inowkamikatsu.com/