Causeartist Acquired 🙌 Causeartist Weekly #280

Hey friends,

After 10 incredible years of building Causeartist solo, I’m excited to share something personal with you.

Last year, some amazing partners who believe deeply in the mission and future of Causeartist reached out. I knew from the initial conversation it was the right fit.

The Pay It Forward Company (PIF) has officially acquired Causeartist, and I couldn’t be more energized about what this means for the next decade.

What’s changing?
Nothing about the core mission or voice will change. I’m still the founder of Causeartist and will continue to lead our daily content, podcasts, and community—just with more support, more resources, and a bigger vision.

What’s new?
In addition to running Causeartist, I’ve also joined the PIF Venture Team as a partner. This means I’ll be working more closely with early-stage impact startups and the people building infrastructure for a better world. More on that soon.

Joining PIF feels like the perfect move at the right time.

Their values align perfectly with everything Causeartist stands for: purpose-driven ventures, impactful innovation, and paying it forward.

You can learn more about the venture side of the firm here and the advisory side here.

To everyone who’s subscribed, shared a post, tuned into the podcast, or built something impactful—you’ve helped Causeartist grow into what it is today. And now, we get to grow even further, together.

We have some exciting things happening in the future.

Here’s to the next decade. 😄

Now, onto this weeks newsletter!

As we hit the peak of summer, it’s clear that innovation doesn’t take a vacation. This week’s newsletter is packed with a powerful mix of climate breakthroughs, digital learning innovation, and mission-driven platforms rethinking how we care for both people and the planet.

From carbon removal and sustainable cement to inclusive education and modern child care—this roundup showcases how bold ideas and capital are shaping the future of impact. Whether you're an investor, founder, operator, or advocate, these stories offer fuel for your journey.

— Grant

📰 News & Opportunities

Climeworks Raises $162M to Scale Direct Air Capture

Funding: $162 million
Goal: Expand global carbon removal infrastructure using DAC technology
Impact: Fighting climate change by capturing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere
🔗 Read more

Honor Education Secures $38M Series A to Reinvent Learning

Funding: $38 million
Goal: Reimagine digital learning with a focus on mentorship and mastery
Impact: Making personalized, competency-based education more accessible
🔗 Read more

Interledger Foundation Launches $50K NextGen Grant for Universities

Funding: Up to $50,000 per institution
Goal: Support higher education programs advancing inclusive digital financial systems
Impact: Equipping students with open-payment tech skills and fintech career pathways 🔗 Learn more

Terra CO2 Raises $124.5M for Sustainable Cement Production

Funding: $124.5M Series B round
Goal: Scale tech to decarbonize cement and construction
Impact: Reducing emissions in one of the highest-polluting industries
🔗 Learn more

Bild AI Raises $3.1M to Accelerate Smarter Construction Workflows

Funding: $3.1 million Seed round led by Khosla Ventures
Goal: Use AI to automate construction blueprint analysis and streamline cost estimation
Impact: Reducing time and costs in building essential housing and infrastructure
🔗 Read more

Bambrew Raises $10.3M to Lead in Eco-Friendly Packaging

Funding: $10.3 million
Goal: Scale sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics
Impact: Accelerating the circular economy across the packaging sector
🔗 Read more

Chloris Geospatial Raises $8.5M to Monitor Forest Carbon from Space

Funding: $8.5 million Series A
Goal: Provide scalable, satellite-based forest carbon intelligence
Impact: Enabling data-backed nature-based climate solutions
🔗 Read more

Bumo Secures $10M to Modernize Child Care Access

Funding: $10 million Seed
Goal: Create an on-demand child care marketplace for modern families
Impact: Transforming flexible child care into an essential service
🔗 Read more

Grand Rapids Biomass Startup Raises $3.75M Seed Round

Funding: $3.75 million
Goal: Convert organic waste into renewable energy solutions
Impact: Boosting clean energy innovation at the local level
🔗 Read more

Grant Trahant
Founder | Causeartist
Host | Disruptors for Good + Investing in Impact 
Venture Partner | Pay it Forward Ventures
Connect: LinkedIn | X