Festival Day 1

What is gathering, if not the promise and expectation of something more significant than the individual? What is the promise of opportunity, community, belonging, collaboration, progress, relationships, and the human experience of togetherness in spending time together? Why have we gathered here today for this investment, business gathering, startup, and change agent platform? Let's start exploring the answers to these questions here.

As a society, we need to find ways to bring about change both within and outside of the system. What are the new norms that can enable us to let life thrive? Where do we stand as we innovate, and what optimistic paradigms lie ahead and what behaviors are needed to reach them? From the big picture down to the details, we need to examine how to cultivate our system intelligence, even when we don't fully comprehend the environment we are a part of. How do we describe the world we live in today? We must ask ourselves these essential questions to build a better future. In this session, learn from Indy Johar, a cross-disciplinary and systemic thinker, about five main principles to follow and be a part of an open fireside dialogue. Don't worry; we will take our time.

As a purpose-driven individual and a change agent, when do you decide to take a seat at the table? How do you go about getting a seat at the table and what is your reason for doing so? Many people attempt to take a seat at the table, but when is the right time to do so? What are your intentions, and what could be the outcomes? Who is allowed to take a seat at the table, and who decides who gets to take a seat? Should you ask for permission? Is taking a seat at the table always the solution? Should you bring your own chair? Or when is it better to simply leave, because it no longer aligns with your values, it is not impactful, or it is time to let someone else have your seat? Let’s find out around the table!

What is intergenerational leadership, if not one of our most significant leadership challenges at the time? Leaders face a complex mosaic of generational identities in the modern workplace, from tech-savvy Millennials to seasoned Boomers. Each has the potential of unique perspectives for change, innovation, and problem-solving. Shaped by their upbringing and experiences. How do we bridge the gap between these diverse identities and harness their collective potential to drive organizational success? How can leaders embrace frameworks that promote dialogue, understanding, and empathy among generations to effect meaningful change? The magic of intergenerational leadership lies in its ability to harness the unique strengths of each cohort while fostering collaboration and mutual learning. What if success in this context is not measured solely by financial metrics but by the extent to which organizations nurture a culture of inclusivity and empower individuals of all ages to realize their full potential toward social, cultural, and systemic change? What if everyone could be a changemaker for better futures for people and the planet?

"To be or not to be" is the famous question posed by Shakespeare's Hamlet, but it takes on a new meaning in the age of AI. Should we strive to be more like machines or stay human? With the possibility of superhuman intelligence and singularity, there are concerns about creating a Frankenstein monster. Some suggest returning to old human traditions, like focusing on breathing, introspection, and inner beauty. In an age of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) and AI, it's crucial to understand what it means to be human. We must consider what we want, how we see human power, and how to regain agency. Should we prioritize privacy and good rules, or balance our feelings and logic? We must ask these big existential questions as humanity to understand our place in a technological world. What does it mean to be part of Humanity?

Could you pass the butter, please? What does the simple act of passing the butter across the table to someone mean? What is the experience of sharing a meal? With the KFF Community Dinners concept, we aim to use dinners or ‘meal-sharing’ to promote personal conversations and create an environment for honest human-to-human connections that go beyond one's position and title. We hope this can foster inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance, which are crucial to practice in today's world

This is a dynamic exploration of the importance of founders' health. Johannes Weber of Ananda Ventures will lead the session, with the support of our Principal, Felix Ferstl who will kick off the workshop with his signature body drumming session. This interactive experience will combine elements of rhythm, music, deep discussions, and meditation.

Step into the world of pitch perfection with Dumi Right, the legendary performance artist, Hip Hop educator, and cultural ambassador. With roots in Zimbabwe Legit, one of Africa's pioneering Hip Hop groups, Dumi brings decades of expertise and innovation to the art of pitching. As an official Hip Hop ambassador appointed by the US Department of State, he has empowered youth worldwide through cultural exchange initiatives. Discover how to infuse your pitch with creativity and authenticity from a true master of the craft, and level up your presentation game with Dumi's Pitch Clinic.

Welcome to the Solution Stage at KFF24, where entrepreneurship meets impact at the forefront of sustainability innovation. Here, visionary scaleups pitch their solutions, forging connections and catalyzing change in a dynamic ecosystem of impact-driven entrepreneurship.

The Solution Stage at KFF24 is not just about pitching ideas; it's a platform for meaningful connections, where entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders come together to drive real-world impact. Join us as we navigate the intersection of entrepreneurship and sustainability, shaping a better tomorrow, today.

Now, let's delve into the remarkable companies gracing our stage:

Boreal Light: a beacon of hope in remote regions. Their solar-powered water desalination solutions provide clean drinking water to underserved communities, addressing water scarcity sustainably.

River Recycle is spearheading the fight against plastic pollution in our waterways. With innovative technologies, they're cleaning up rivers while revolutionizing waste management and recycling practices.

Mocean rides the waves of renewable energy with their pioneering wave energy converters. Harnessing the power of the ocean's movement, they're making waves in sustainable energy production, paving the way for a cleaner future.

Empower is promoting circularity in plastic usage by transforming plastic waste into value. They aim to empower collectors, recyclers, brands, and consumers to make tangible environmental strides.

Yet another five remarkable companies are poised to showcase their innovative solutions at the intersection of entrepreneurship and sustainability. Let's delve into the transformative ventures shaping our future:

Smart Ocean harnesses technology to safeguard our oceans, combating pollution and preserving marine ecosystems for future generations.

CoAmana empowers farmers with sustainable agricultural solutions, fostering resilience and abundance in harmony with nature.

Treeconomy champions reforestation and conservation efforts, combating deforestation while promoting biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.

DE Energy is at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. With their innovative solutions, they're driving the transition towards clean, sustainable energy sources, helping to combat climate change and secure a brighter future for generations to come.

Join us as we explore these visionary companies and their impactful contributions to a more sustainable world.

Several impactful scaleups are presenting at KFF24 to revolutionize sustainability.

Gigablue is accelerating the return to balance, by elegantly combining science, AI and nature’s way to secure our planet's future.

Nature Dots is merging Nature Intelligence with Artificial Intelligence, paving the way for a climate-resilient new nature economy.

Hullbot is building robots for healthy oceans, a Sydney based startup using robotics to improve the health of our oceans.

Planboo is introducing a biochar Operating System that will enable Global South farmers to rejuvenate lands, monitor carbon removal in real-time, and profit from carbon credits.

Could you pass the butter, please? What does the simple act of passing the butter across the table to someone mean? What is the experience of sharing a meal? With the KFF Community Dinners concept, we aim to use dinners or ‘meal-sharing’ to promote personal conversations and create an environment for honest human-to-human connections that go beyond one's position and title. We hope this can foster inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance, which are crucial to practice in today's world

This session will focus on activism's often overlooked and deeply personal aspects. We will explore pathways to understanding and engagement through storytelling, language, and neurobiology. The panel invites you to join them on a soul-stirring journey into the heart of activism, where the creative process intertwines with storytelling to ignite change. Through the lens of grassroots initiatives and underrepresented voices, this session will delve into the transformative power of hip-hop music, film, and storytelling in fostering emotional connections and the science of awe. You'll discover how each narrative and emotion can serve as a beacon of hope and action, inspiring us to reimagine the world, advocate for those on the margins, and create movements and cultures of action. Join us to learn more about the profound impact of storytelling in activism and how you can contribute to creating a better world.

What is the interplay between societal evolution and neurological transformations, unraveling the enigmatic connections that shape our behaviors and beliefs? In this session and fireside with Dr James Goodwin, discover how the collaborative landscape of future healthcare is deeply intertwined with community dynamics and societal well-being. What barriers hinder our collective progress as the fabric of our social interaction's frays? Could the key to unlocking our potential lie within the very nature of human cognition? But as we know what lies beyond human cognition, art, and science converge, tracing the rich tapestry of fine art's role in communicating the wonders of medicine and neuroscience. From the ancient wisdom of Greek mythology to the visionary insights of Leonardo da Vinci and the groundbreaking anatomical revelations of Vesalius, witness how art has been a timeless vessel for conveying the complexities of the human condition. Let's dig into this part of biology and history lesson, bring on your question, or close your eyes and enjoy the ride as we discover the power to transcend the barriers that confine us, as we journey through time— in a provocative exploration of the forces that shape our minds, bodies, and societies.

As we age, it's common to dislike the process. However, is this feeling only prevalent in our culture, or is it a universal and existential experience? Furthermore, would the alternative of not aging be worse in this era of technology and ideas of transcending our humanity? As the world's population ages and we live longer, it's essential to develop innovative ideas so that we can all age gracefully while still being valued. We should also strive for a brain-healthy lifestyle as we age. Interestingly, a trend is arising, and many people are beginning to pivot towards the future as they grow older. For instance, Faye Wattleton, who is 80 years old, co-founded a quantum computing company after years of activism. Susan Lang, who is 60, established a startup to reduce prescription drug costs. Similarly, Allison Wolff, who is 53 years old, is using technology to fight wildfires. The list goes on. Given that workplaces nowadays comprise employees from different generations, from Z to boomers, we should strive to value the aging process and leverage the wisdom that comes with it.

In the complex history of humanity, the stories we tell determine who is celebrated and who is forgotten, raising important questions about respect and inclusion. As history repeats itself, the stories we share have immense power, shaping perceptions and continuing cycles of exclusion. In today's digital age, where data shapes our future, biased algorithms can perpetuate historical injustices. However, in this flood of information, silence, and neglect can also be used as tools of oppression. To confront systemic injustice, how can we more actively seek out the voices of those who have been silenced, amplifying their stories to create a future that is just and dignified for all?

Could you pass the butter, please? What does the simple act of passing the butter across the table to someone mean? What is the experience of sharing a meal? With the KFF Community Dinners concept, we aim to use dinners or ‘meal-sharing’ to promote personal conversations and create an environment for honest human-to-human connections that go beyond one's position and title. We hope this can foster inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance, which are crucial to practice in today's world

In a world facing such complex and interconnected challenges, the need for a holistic and systems approach has never been more evident. Our current systems are broken, with issues like global warming and increasing socioeconomic disparity highlighting the limitations of traditional singular solutions. Join us for a masterclass with Danny Almagor, Founder of Small Giants, and Kaj Lofgren, CEO, Regen Melbourne, where we delve into the essence of systems thinking and its application in strategic design. We will transcend the narrow focus of traditional problem solving and offer a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness within complex systems. We will cover elements like leverage points, the three horizons, broad vs narrow boundaries, feedback loops and multi order effects and how your investing can use these powerful models for impact.

What is the potential of Human Gathering? In this session, we scrutinize the mechanics behind collective action, exploring how diverse voices converge to shape our shared reality. Drawing from scientific inquiry, we analyze the role of bravery in amplifying marginalized voices and fostering inclusivity within group dynamics. We examine the environmental factors that influence the atmosphere of gathering spaces, from kindness and openness to chaos and comfort, grounding our observations in empirical evidence. What are the overlooked gathering nuances, highlighting its importance in cultivating solidarity and innovation? By understanding the psychology of group dynamics and the impact of tradition on communal behavior, we aim to equip individuals and communities with practical tools for harnessing the power of collective action.

As inhabitants of cities, how do we want to live? Can we reimagine urban living to prioritize human well-being and emotional resonance? The potential to transform cities into places that foster regenerative living by reshaping social and economic structures and promoting citizen-centric service is immense. However, such a shift requires a cultural outlook beyond just city planners. We need to examine the connection between infrastructure and well-being in cities and consider what shapes our social and economic infrastructures today to take a stand for how they can serve us in future visions of cities. By examining successful and unsuccessful examples, can we identify opportunities and challenges in making this shift? If prioritizing individual joy and creating deep connections between the dynamics of urban life may be the key to unlocking the true potential for thriving communities globally, what do we invest in and find solutions to get there?

Tremendous long-term investments are urgently needed to address the interrelated crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and growing inequality. Simply investing ‘more’ is insufficient, we need a new approach to investment: one that supports systems change and fundamental transformations towards a circular, inclusive, and resource-efficient economy. But how do we direct investments towards systems change rather than systems optimisation? What kinds of tools and methodologies can we use to guide investments in a direction that can make a true and lasting difference? Join Roberta Benedetti Del Rio as she explores what transformed systems could look like in the future, how to imagine and invest in these futures, and the 12 principles for transformative investment from the Deep Transitions Lab.

Could you pass the butter, please? What does the simple act of passing the butter across the table to someone mean? What is the experience of sharing a meal? With the KFF Community Dinners concept, we aim to use dinners or ‘meal-sharing’ to promote personal conversations and create an environment for honest human-to-human connections that go beyond one's position and title. We hope this can foster inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance, which are crucial to practice in today's world

As we go through a transformation, we must ask ourselves critical questions. Are we causing harm, or can we become wounded healers? In this session, we will examine personal, ancestral, and collective healing as a catalyst for change. As we challenge the existing narratives, we begin to recognize our power to make a difference. However, genuine change requires inner work. Therefore, we must confront our internal obstacles to abundance, love, and unity. We must trust in our lives and embrace our inherent right to belong.

This session will explore the energetic dynamics of systemic truth and personal empowerment. We will examine how healing ourselves can help us see life thrive and contribute to creating a beautiful world on Earth.

Why is there a growing interest in Indigenous Wisdom traditions in the context of systemic perspectives? What is there to learn, unlearn, and relearn?

Indigenous knowledge is gaining attention. Is it a yearning for connection in a digital age, an exploration of identity and inequality, a response to guilt, a combination of these, and more? To understand the meaning of coexisting with nature, we must delve deep into history and within ourselves. What lessons can we draw from these traditions deeply intertwined with cultural, spiritual, and environmental contexts? Many are turning to these traditions, but what is driving this trend? What can we learn or unlearn as we seek more systemic approaches to making investments or taking climate actions? These traditions encompass resource management, agriculture, medicine, storytelling, and spirituality of stewardship and community. How can we learn and adapt to some of those traditions that are not at all lost, but forgotten by so many? We invite you to a campfire talk to discuss a framework that merges Indigenous wisdom with contemporary development and finance strategies. This session will introduce a model developed with Brazil's Indigenous communities to protect social and natural biodiversity while fostering regional economies. Led by Luvan Tukano from Brazil, the son of Alvaro Tukano, a longstanding activist and Indigenous leader. The workshop aims to refine and evolve the framework through collective insights, as participants will engage in dynamic collaboration, providing feedback and discussing potential enhancements to ensure the model's effectiveness and adaptability. Whether you are an impact investor, a regeneration enthusiast, a climate activist, or work for a more just and equal world, this session is for you.

Could you pass the butter, please? What does the simple act of passing the butter across the table to someone mean? What is the experience of sharing a meal? With the KFF Community Dinners concept, we aim to use dinners or ‘meal-sharing’ to promote personal conversations and create an environment for honest human-to-human connections that go beyond one's position and title. We hope this can foster inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance, which are crucial to practice in today's world