ALTRU INSTITUTE

Solving the Single Use Plastics Problem 

​​

Single-use plastics pose significant environmental and health challenges. They contribute to massive waste accumulation, with billions of tons ending up in landfills and oceans, harming wildlife and ecosystems. An estimated 160 million tons are produced every year worldwide. Only a small percentage is recycled. 

​

These plastics degrade into microplastics, contaminating water, soil, and air, entering the food chain and impacting human health. The production and incineration of plastics release greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals, exacerbating climate change and pollution. 

​

This is a daunting problem for which there has been little progress. We believe that a combination of technological advances, and public policy to drive behavior modifications is the best path. This discussion will be around the strategies to find and support such innovations. 

​

The session will offer a pulse on the current state of affairs and ideas that could advance progress. It also marks the start of research to produce a documentary that will address the true cost of single use plastics.​ 

The conversation will be led by those with executive positions in companies in the space or those that have either founded or invested in the space.   

​​

Paul Burgon led the discussion  Learn More.  Register.  

​

From Waste to Clean Energy 

​

Landfills are a primary source of methane gas which is 80x as problematic as CO2. Can waste be turned into clean energy such as hydrogen, mitigate pollution, and become a vital part of the transition to sustainable clean energy supply?  The conversation is about the potential to solve two problems. Waste and clean energy. 

​

Turning municipal solid waste (MSW) into clean energy presents complex challenges but offers significant opportunities. The heterogeneous nature of MSW, with its mix of organic materials, plastics, metals, and contaminants, complicates sorting and processing, 

​

Traditional methods like incineration can release harmful emissions including ash and other by-products. High initial costs for technologies such as anaerobic digestion, gasification, and pyrolysis, coupled with market volatility can hinder economic feasibility. Regulatory hurdles, strict emission limits, and public opposition are further complications. 

​

Despite these hurdles, the potential of waste-to-energy (WTE) systems is immense. They can serve as a renewable energy source, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and offering consistent base-load power, divert waste to energy facilities, decreasing landfill use, mitigating methane emissions, and supporting a circular economy.

 

James Milner led the discussion  Learn More.  Register.  

 

AI in Family Offices. Transforming innovation. Mitigating Risk.   

​

Studies and reports suggest that 60-70% of family office wealth is derived from businesses founded or operated by the family. This entrepreneurial foundation is the hallmark of family offices and originates from successful exits or ongoing revenues from businesses built by the founding generation.

​

To what extent do these family offices use this industry knowledge to make savvy investments in related businesses?  What role can Artificial Intelligence play in improving performance and impact. 

​

An estimated 10-15% of family office portfolios are now allocated to sustainable or impact investments, And younger generations in family businesses are championing sustainable investments. How do they find attractive investment projects that match history and meet both returns and impact?

​

This session will look at these trends and discuss best practices by which family offices can access projects within their scope of historical experience. And how AI can help with access and due diligence? Conversation led by capital allocators in the family office space focused on impact investments.  

​

Alexandra Cook led the discussion.  Learn More.  Register.  

 

Mental Health: Unique Challenges Faced by Women
 

Women’s mental health is shaped by hormonal shifts—across menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause—and conditions like PCOS and endometriosis that impact emotional regulation and brain health. Societal pressures add further strain, driving perfectionism, body image issues, and higher rates of anxiety and depression.
 

Advances in neuroscience reveal the biological underpinnings of these challenges, while mind-body practices like mindfulness and breathwork offer powerful tools for stress regulation and resilience. This discussion explores how integrating science, and holistic approaches can create meaningful support and reduce stigma around women’s mental health.  

​

Ash Moraca and Emilie Radyte offered insights.   Learn More.  Register.  

​

​

How Corporate Venture Capital can Magnify Impact Investing.
 

The discussion is around the virtue of corporations as an early source of venture capital financing and the role of these relationships to foster innovation and accelerate the scaling of impact enterprises. 
 

The number of corporate venture capital units worldwide increased from fewer than 500 a decade ago to approximately 2,753 in 2022, reflecting a growing trend among large corporations to identify strategic growth opportunities. In 2019, major companies participated in a record 3,237 CVC deals, more than quadrupling the number from 2011.
 

Corporate investors provide startups with resources, mentorship, and global sales channels, enhancing their development and commercialization. The value of early strategic partnerships for startups is significant suggesting that entrepreneurs should engage with potential partners before Series A funding.

 

This strategy can have greater impact for sustainability than the status quo as partnerships with existing distribution to dramatically accelerate the growth.  

 

Paul Burgon shared his experiences from 20 years on the buy side.  Learn More.  Register.  

​

----------------------------
 

Irrespective of whether in Davos, anyone serious about these topics should register to receive a transcript of the meeting and invitations to the virtual meetings. We will also be hosting in-person meetings in Zurich, London, Ibiza and New York in the coming months.  

​

Our goal is to identify those passionate and serious about these subjects.  We are creating a worldwide network to foster technology transfer and to help solutions  access needed resources. Register with us. 

​​​​​​​