HAPPY PLANET
Abigail Carroll
Can innovation, entrepreneurship and investment make the planet happier and healthier? Entrepreneur and investor Abigail Carroll thinks so. Through conversations with founders, investors, and thought leaders, in over a dozen countries and counting, Abigail shares this thought-provoking and hope-promoting world with her audience. And always with a little humour.
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Top 10 HAPPY PLANET Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best HAPPY PLANET episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to HAPPY PLANET for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite HAPPY PLANET episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
02/05/25 • 51 min
Today we are traveling to Chile, the birthplace of Positive Polar, a travel startup aiming to combine luxury cruises with academic research and environmental action. Positive Polar’s sustainable expedition cruises will aim to restore the whale population, amplify oceanic food production and implement high-potential climate mitigation strategies.
I had the incredible privilege of speaking to both co-founders last week. Hugo Hinrichsen is a former Chilean Naval Commander, helicopter pilot and business entrepreneur whose personal observations of the changing ecosystem over his lifetime inspired this project. His business partner is Jenn Bonilla an American psychology PHD and biotech professional whose passion is enabling science to positively impact humanity. I love how two sucessful people from two different countries come together to transform the way people see the world.
Positive Polar is currently open for partnership and investment. Contact:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbonilla/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-hinrichsen/
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
02/19/25 • 32 min
I have been at this long enough by now - 61 episodes!- to see some great successes and some disappointing failures. This week's guest tells a story that's a bit of both, but he is not letting failure get in his way.
Today we are heading back to Norway to meet again with Tore Enger, Founder of TECO 2030, a company that was looking to build fuel cells for the maritime industry.
Tore came on the podcast two years ago as they were making fast tracks with a product and strategic partnerships. Despite their success, investor money soon dried up. One strategic error may have been going public too soon.
In this podcast Tore will tell us what worked and what didn’t. And we will hear how this seasoned entrepreneur refuses to back down and deftly navigates Norway’s very favorable restructuring laws to get back in the game with a new strategy and cap table within a few short months of throwing in the towel.
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
09/18/24 • 41 min
Innovative Fish Feeds: Reducing Aquaculture's Environmental Footprint
In this episode of the Happy Planet podcast, I speak to Alessandra Romano, the entrepreneur behind Ittinsect.
Allessandro discusses his novel aquaculture feed supplements derived from insect proteins, which aim to accelerate fish growth with lower environmental impacts.
The conversation explores the inefficiencies in traditional fish feeds, the environmental benefits of insect-based alternatives, and the economic realities of transitioning to sustainable aquaculture practices.
Alessandros also shares his personal journey and insights into Italy’s role in aquaculture innovation.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Series Overview
00:35 Meet Alessandra Romano Alessandros: Innovator in Aquaculture
01:24 The Problem with Traditional Fish Feed
02:11 Innovative Solutions: Insect-Based Fish Feed
06:48 Consumer Perception and Market Testing
10:48 Alessandra's Journey and Passion for the Ocean
17:13 Business Model and Market Expansion
22:22 Challenges and Opportunities in the Aquaculture Industry
30:47 Environmental Impact and Future of Aquaculture
37:53 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook
39:55 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up
Tune in at happyplanetpodcast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts, including:
Apple: https://lnkd.in/e2Y5xnta
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dnQXTnut
And thank you to our Sponors!
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show a
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
02/01/23 • 28 min
This week’s guest, Tore Enger, Founder and CEO of the group TECO 2030, is pioneering the fuel cell stacks designed for green hydrogen in trucking and shipping, industries traditionally reliant on diesel fuel.
After speaking with Tore, my worldview on renewables started to broaden. I’d love to know what you think after you listen to the episode. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts.
One note about this episode, I break down the basic mechanics of green hydrogen in the introduction - what it is, how it works. I’ve tried to keep the explanation short (it’s about one minute) but I wanted the episode to be accessible to all.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Mechanics of green hydrogen
- How green hydrogen is well adapted to the maritime industry
- TECO 2030’s role in the green hydrogen revolution - and who they are working with
- The future of trucking with respect to green hydrogen
- Who the big players of the renewable industry will be in the future
- Norway’s role in the impact economy
- Oslo’s green hydrogen passenger car program
- How some of the biggest players in the renewable space might surprise you
- Building a climate legacy
To hear my conversation with Tore, tune in on Apple, Spotify, or Google. And don’t forget to subscribe on your platformto get automatic updates. If you like what we’re doing, please do spread the word.
Many thanks to Maine Technology Institute, Maine Venture Fund and Spark No.9 for their sponsorship.
I’d also like to thank our promotional partners. Investable Oceans is a US-based angel platform specializing in ocean-related startups. Oceanovation is a Dutch-South African hub for entrepreneurs and investors in blue tech innovation.
I’d love your thoughts on how the podcast is going and
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
Can SafetyNet Save Our Fisheries?
HAPPY PLANET
09/12/23 • 40 min
We are going to kick off the fall season with a chat with Dan Watson, the UK-based founder and CEO of a fisheries startup called SafetyNet. I first met Dan through Harry Wright’s accelerator Bright Tide, where I am an advisor. Then I wound up on his mentor team for another accelerator run by Boston-based Sea Ahead. I can’t wait to see where our paths next cross!
One of Dan’s most talked about solutions is designed to prevent bycatch. Bycatch refers to unwanted fish that are inadvertently caught in commercial fishing traps. It’s estimated that $1billion of unwanted fish are thrown away each year. Not to mention disruptions to the marine ecosystems. So solving this problem could provide a great benefit to the planet.
SafetyNet’s bycatch solution is based on research Dan dug up from the 70s and involves simply shining different coloured lights into the water as you fish in order to attract and repel different species. This is just the tip of the iceberg of SafetyNet is up to.
Just a reminder, you can listen to Happy Planet pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts, or by following one of these links: Apple , Spotify, Google, or our website.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Many thanks to Maine Technology Institute, Maine Venture Fund and Spark No.9 for their sponsorship.
I’d also like to thank our promotional partners. Investable Oceans is a US-based angel platform specializing in ocean-related startups.
Oceanovation is a fast-growing hub for entrepreneurs and investors in blue-tech innovation.
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
Would you spend eternity in an underwater urn? Louise Skajem and Aura Murillo of Resting Reef
HAPPY PLANET
09/27/23 • 45 min
Today, we are hopping over the Atlantic to speak with Louise Skajem and Aura Murillo, two young, UK-based women designers who are innovating in a marine area I never imagined I would discuss on this show: funerary services. These young women are full of life and will challenge everything you have ever come to believe about funeral directors.
Their company, the aptly named Resting Reefs, proposes to use human ashes, mix them with oyster shell powder, which is very high in calcium carbonate and a wonderful ocean anti-acidification agent, and transform them into what they call underwater urns. These are beautiful sculptures used to create artificial living reefs installed along coastlines.
Rather than simply spreading ashes in the ocean, as many people do, creating a resting reef gives family and friends a sense of permanence, a reef to visit where marine life will grow and prosper.
In this podcast, you will hear a reference to aquamation. This is an alternative process to cremation that is preferred by Louise and Aura since it uses five times less energy than fire and reduces a funeral's emissions of greenhouse gases by about thirty-five percent.
While neither Louise nor Aura are originally from the UK, they say it's a great place to start a business right now, and their type of business in particular may be well positioned to benefit from being in the United Kingdom as 75 percent of the UK population opts for cremation. And after two years of keeping ashes at home, people usually look for something special to do with them. These women might just be on to something....
Just a reminder, you can listen to Happy Planet pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts, or by following one of these links: Apple , Spotify, Google, or our
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
09/20/23 • 35 min
You may recognize today’s guest from episode 5. We’re here with Bernard Hidier, the French expat living in Maine who co-founded Finsulate the non-toxic antifouling solution that looks like velvet and mimics a sea urchin.
Bernard is back with us because somehow he has managed to co-found and co-manage more than one company at the same time. “Kids do not try this at home!”
If you remember, Bernard is originally from Brittany France and that is where KarrGreen hails from. Karrgreen is a biofuel company transforming agricultural waste into fuel for cars. With a growing footprint of filling stations in France, KarrGreen’s success does make one wonder why we are digging up lithium for batteries when our abundant agricultural waste could be used instead.
For Bernard, the corporate structure is as important - and innovative - as the fuel itself. KarrGreen focuses on building local communities, making both its clients and suppliers vested stakeholders.
Just a reminder, you can listen to Happy Planet pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts, or by following one of these links: Apple , Spotify, Google, or our website.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Many thanks to Maine Technology Institute, Maine Venture Fund and Spark No.9 for their sponsorship.
I’d also like to thank our promotional partners. Investable Oceans is a US-based angel platform specializing in ocean-related startups.
Oceanovation is a fast-growing hub for entrepreneurs and investors in blue-tech innovation.
KarrGreen
Finsulate
Bernard Hidier
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
01/08/25 • 40 min
Happy new year to all and welcome back to our first episode of 2025!
Our guest this week is an entrepreneur who excels at building market strategies. Heather Myers of Spark Number 9 has created her own methodology for getting the market segment answers entrepreneurs so desperately need. An important distinction is that her method relies on observable behavior, not on surveys.
Heather's own business has flourished and was even the subject of a Harvard Business School case study. Heather joins us today to discuss how nature forward companies can leapfrog endless and costly pivots by applying her methodology to their own businesses.
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts! And if you love what we do, don't forget to subscribe and leave a rating and review!
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
11/13/24 • 31 min
Happy Planet Wednesday!
This week we are hopping across the Atlantic to speak to serial Dutch innovator Wietse van der Werf.
Wietse's current venture, Sea Rangers, is a social enterprise that trains youth from underprivileged backgrounds in the maritime trades. Aspiring sea rangers learn while working on ocean conservation missions that are performed from carbon-footprint free sailing research vessels. Wietse is excited to bring back the maritime trades in the Netherlands and to democratize climate activism which he says is typically the domain of the privileged.
If this sounds like a pipe dream, you'd be mistaken. Wiete's Sea Rangers is becoming something of a pan-European phenomenon.
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
06/21/23 • 22 min
Happy Planet Wednesday !
Many of you, especially those who love the Caribbean, are aware of what is now called the sargassum belt, a 5,000 mile long belt of floating sargassum seaweed mass that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico all of the way to Africa, hitting the South East coast of the United States along the way.
In normal doses, sargassum is a healthy macro algae that provides a habitat for sea life and sequesters carbon from the atmosphere. But an overabundance began in 2011 and has escalated to an ecological crisis for the affected area. This is a massive blow to the local marine ecosystem not to mention to the human one that depends on tourism and fishing in the area.
Over the past few years I’ve met a number of entrepreneurs who are focused on solving the problem. And today we are going to speak to Edward Shao of ProjectQRSargasso who is in the early stages of building a company that seeks to harvest this seaweed in order to produce three very different products from it: fertilizer for our gardens, a substrate for coral reefs, and hydrogen to fuel our homes.
This ambitious project was born of a simple desire to save the ecosystem. Like many of the entrepreneurs we’ve heard on Happy Planet, with Edward business is mission first.
Just a reminder, you can listen to Happy Planet pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts, or by following one of these links: Apple , Spotify, Google, or our website.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Many thanks to Maine Technology Institute, Maine Venture Fund and Spark No.9 for their sponsorship.
I’d also like to thank our promotional partners. Investable Oceans is a US-based angel platform specializing in ocean-related startups.
Oceanovation is a hub for entrepre
Listen on Apple , Spotify, our website, or pretty much anywhere you listen to podcasts!
I'd like to thank our sponsors:
Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Bold Ocean Ventures have partnered to create a mission-driven venture capital fund, supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable ocean-related businesses.
Startup Marin Skincare has rocketed thanks to products made with Maine-lobster-derived glycoprotein that work on eczema and dry skin. Former guest on our show and co-Founder Patrick Breeding is offering listeners a 20% discount on their skincare products. Type HAPPYPLANET into the coupon code field!
Spark No. 9, ensures that companies - and startups - have successful product launches by testing their products online. Remove the guesswork before you launch!
Promotional and program partners include ...
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FAQ
How many episodes does HAPPY PLANET have?
HAPPY PLANET currently has 63 episodes available.
What topics does HAPPY PLANET cover?
The podcast is about Ocean, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Investing, Impact, Environment, Startups, Investment, Podcasts, Business and Economy.
What is the most popular episode on HAPPY PLANET?
The episode title 'Would you spend eternity in an underwater urn? Louise Skajem and Aura Murillo of Resting Reef' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on HAPPY PLANET?
The average episode length on HAPPY PLANET is 35 minutes.
How often are episodes of HAPPY PLANET released?
Episodes of HAPPY PLANET are typically released every 7 days, 2 hours.
When was the first episode of HAPPY PLANET?
The first episode of HAPPY PLANET was released on Oct 27, 2022.
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