The Catalytic Capital Podcast

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.

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

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.