Stories of Impact

What happens when technology helps human creativity thrive instead of replacing it? In this episode of Catalytic Capital, host Ken Kurtzig speaks with Roberto Milk, co-founder and CEO of NOVICA and Handmade.com, about his 25-year journey building a global marketplace that connects artisans directly with customers. Roberto shares how an unexpected conversation in a Stanford Portuguese class inspired NOVICA, how the company pioneered online artisan commerce before Etsy existed, and how it has delivered more than $144 million to artisans worldwide. He and Ken also explore NOVICA’s impact on women, families and local economies; the importance of preserving cultural traditions; and how Handmade.com plans to use AI to help millions of artisans reach global customers while protecting the authenticity of human-made products. NOVICA has already raised more than $100,000 from 15 donor-investors through CataCap. Learn more about NOVICA, its impact and the opportunity to support its next chapter: https://catacap.org/investments/novica Follow Catalytic Capital for more conversations with entrepreneurs using business and investment capital to address some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.

A donor-advised fund DAF) is a philanthropic account through which you can contribute your capital, receive a tax benefit, and grant and invest the pool for impact. Read this excellent deck to learn more about impact investing. CataCap thanks DAF Commons for use of their materials.

What if seaweed could help replace petroleum-based plastics, restore ocean ecosystems, and transform everyday consumer products? In this episode of Catalytic Capital, host Ken Kurtzig speaks with Katie Weiler, founder and CEO of Viable Gear, and Justin MacNaughton, co-founder of 4Kelp Skincare. Katie shares how Viable Gear is turning seaweed into SeaTwine—a marine-degradable, compostable alternative to plastic twine used in agriculture and aquaculture. Justin explains how 4Kelp is developing clean, kelp-powered skincare in plastic-free, home-compostable packaging while supporting kelp restoration and ocean advocacy. They discuss the science behind seaweed-based materials, the challenge of competing with inexpensive conventional products, the journey from an ambitious idea to a market-ready product, and why patient, mission-aligned capital is essential for building a more regenerative economy. Learn more and invest through CataCap: Viable Gear: https://catacap.org/investments/ViableGear 4Kelp Skincare: https://catacap.org/investments/4kelpskincare

Hosted by Tim Freundlich, the webinar will feature Laura Francis, Matthew Stotts, Brandon Chen, and Mick Liubinskas as they discuss the investment opportunities driving innovation across the Blue Economy.

Impact Entrepreneur publishes CataCap's ocean campaign press release

CataCap has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative that gives donor investors an opportunity to participate in philanthropic impact investments focused on a sustainable ocean.

How donor-advised funds are becoming catalytic capital platforms, an article by Jordana S. Grunfeld published June 1, 2026 in https://impactentrepreneur.com/

In this recorded webinar, Lily Kanter and Beth Stelluto discuss the vision behind Empower Her and the launch of Empower Her Fund II — a philanthropic investment initiative supporting high-potential, women-led ventures. The conversation explores why Empower Her was created, the momentum and successes from Fund I, and how donor-investors are helping expand access to capital for women founders building innovative, mission-driven companies. In this session, you’ll hear: • The story and mission behind Empower Her • Highlights and lessons from the current portfolio of women-led ventures • Results from Fund I, including over $650K raised and deployed into multiple investments • The launch of Empower Her Fund II and opportunities for participation • How donor-advised funds (DAFs), foundations, and philanthropic giving can be activated for impact investing Lily and Beth also discuss the broader opportunity to unlock philanthropic capital for innovation and impact — and why supporting women-led businesses represents both a financial and societal opportunity. Whether you’re an investor, donor, entrepreneur, or simply passionate about advancing women-led innovation, this webinar provides insight into how values-aligned capital can help shape a more inclusive future.

CataCap is a technology platform that enables foundations, donor-advised funds (DAFs), family offices, and others to channel a portion of their capital into high-impact, mission-aligned investments in climate, health, and equity, alongside financial returns.

There's a paradox at the heart of modern philanthropy: a gap between mission and intent. Each year, billions of dollars flow into charitable vehicles such as foundations, trusts, and donor-advised funds (DAFs). Yet an estimated 95% of that money is parked in traditional public markets — stocks, mutual funds, and bonds — often invested in companies whose activities directly contradict the donor's stated mission or values.

Park Rangers Capital quietly closed their first fund earlier this year: a $4.3M debut fund backed by 130 LPs. Park Rangers Capital believes capital, content, and conviction compound together. Distribution is the moat, and they're building their own every day. Park Rangers Capital completed an investment on CataCap, successfully raising $28,900.00.

Billions of dollars intended for good are stuck in limbo, rather than flowing toward mission-driven investing. Donor-advised funds (DAFs)—charitable vehicles where donors receive an immediate tax deduction but can decide later where the money goes—hold more than $250 billion in assets. Yet most of this capital sits in traditional stock and bond portfolios rather than supporting entrepreneurs.

Sea Forward is proud to announce a new opportunity for individuals to 'donate to invest' in ocean health, made possible through a launch on CataCap, a first-of-its-kind platform democratizing access to impact investing with philanthropic assets. Individuals can now contribute as little as $250 to support ocean health in high-impact areas with the potential to see returns to reinvest or grant out again.

What if our capital actually reflected the future we want? For decades, capital in the social sector has been trapped in a binary: grants on one end, venture capital on the other. But that split has left too many visionary founders stranded in between – too early for VC, too catalytic for traditional philanthropy. The solution may lie in a quietly growing model: philanthropic impact investing.

Join Investors Circle and CataCap, with Charlie Crystle of Cooler, the climate tech startup helping businesses take real, scalable action against global warming. Explore how Cooler's API enables businesses to embed climate action into everyday operations, why philanthropic investors are rallying behind Cooler's mission, and what it means to be 'Cooler Certified'.

As the world changes, so do the priorities of modern investors. Today's most visionary investors are looking beyond just financial returns—they're investing in purpose, people, and planetary impact. Explore what 'return' really means in 2025, how to identify companies that do good and perform well, and the role of values, mission, and brand in investment decisions.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with the founders of Navajo Power, a trailblazing clean energy company led by Native visionaries and committed to a just, inclusive transition. Explore how Navajo Power's model redefines ownership and justice in energy, why now is the moment to back Indigenous-led infrastructure, and the catalytic role of philanthropic capital in unlocking long-term self-determination.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are often seen as passive vehicles – but what if they became engines for real change? Join us for an energizing conversation with investors Diane Keefe and Babbie Jacobs, as we explore how DAFs can be activated to fuel bold, catalytic impact. We'll unpack emerging strategies for deploying DAF capital and stories from those challenging the status quo.

What exactly is philanthropic investing – and why are so many change-makers saying it's time for a new model? Join us for a LinkedIn Live conversation with two pioneers in purpose-driven capital, Babbie Jacobs & Annarie Lyles. We'll explore their personal journeys from philanthropy to investment, why the old models aren't enough, and how the Impact Showcase is spotlighting what comes next.

Sea Forward supports innovative and effective solutions in the ocean space with a focus on sustainable aquaculture, science-based monitoring tools, biodiversity, climate and regenerative nature-based solutions. This press release covers their collaboration with CataCap to support Global Fund for Coral Reefs and the broader Sea Forward portfolio.

What happens when visionary women lead with bold ideas and unapologetic purpose? Real change. In this empowering conversation, Dr. Sophia Yen, CEO of Pandia Health, and Brook Dougherty, Founder of JustUs Skincare, share personal stories, hard-won lessons, and actionable insights about what it really takes to close health equity gaps – and how catalytic capital and community can accelerate women-led innovation.

Play Money makes angel investing 'deliciously easy for everyone,' and is built on over a decade of data and math on how to optimize for angel returns. This video conversation includes Cheryl Kellond, Founder at Play Money and Ken Kurtzig, Founder at CataCap discussing why charitable dollars for startup investing and how it works.

In this episode of Catalytic Capital, host Ken Kurtzig dives into the transformative world of Pandia Health, a company revolutionizing women's healthcare by making birth control, reproductive care, and menopause treatment more accessible, affordable, and stigma free. Today, Pandia is the highest-rated women's online hormonal health clinic with 4.9/5 stars from >3K women.

Carbon Counts is a trailblazer in the 'Play-to-Plant' gaming sector, leveraging mobile gaming to inspire and empower players to combat climate change. Their flagship game, EverForest, transforms reforestation into an engaging gaming experience, allowing users to actively participate in global tree-planting efforts with every level they complete.

In this episode of Catalytic Capital, host Ken Kurtzig dives into the transformative world of women-led ventures with Lily Kanter and Beth Stelluto, co-founders of the groundbreaking Empower Her initiative on the CataCap platform. Together, they explore the unique challenges women face in raising capital and the game-changing mission of Empower Her.

QBE North America has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative in the US that gives employees a vehicle to participate in philanthropic impact investments made through the CataCap platform.