VIGS Podcast

🎙️ Jorge Correa, founder of EatCloud, a digital platform fighting food waste and hunger across Latin America, joined Peter Kovacz from the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) for a compelling conversation about how technology can transform one of humanity's most urgent paradoxes: millions going hungry while tons of perfectly good food are thrown away every day. Together they explore how data-driven solutions are connecting surplus food with vulnerable communities, why exponential technologies offer hope for eradicating hunger, and what it takes to build a scalable social impact company in the food industry.

From his early days automating commercial processes for consumer goods companies to witnessing firsthand the staggering waste in distribution centers and retail points, Jorge shares the personal journey that led him to create EatCloud. Inspired by childhood memories of his mother's kindergarten, where children left in tears every Friday knowing they wouldn't eat again until Monday, he recognized an enormous opportunity hidden within an enormous problem. In Colombia alone, wasted food could feed 8 million people. Across Latin America, that number rises to 300 million. EatCloud was born to bridge this gap—not by selling surplus food, but by automating its donation, creating tax benefits for companies, and ensuring it reaches those who need it most.

The conversation examines the mechanics of EatCloud's model: a software-as-a-service platform that connects food donors with food banks and social institutions serving vulnerable populations including children, pregnant women, migrants, and the homeless. Using AI to match donations with ideal beneficiaries based on volume, location, consumption capacity, and logistical requirements, EatCloud has redistributed over 49,000 tons of food, equivalent to more than 110 million meals. The platform has saved the food industry over $40 million, mitigated 120 million kilos of CO2 emissions, and conserved the equivalent of 30 billion liters of water—all while serving nearly one million people across Colombia, Mexico, and Ecuador.

Jorge explains how EatCloud differentiates itself from competitors like Too Good To Go or Munch by focusing on donation automation rather than commercialization, avoiding logistical ownership, and empowering beneficiaries to pick up food with their own resources. The platform provides over 250 real-time KPIs tracking logistical, economic, social, and environmental impact, giving multinational companies the ability to centralize food waste management in a single dashboard. He envisions a future where EatCloud becomes a global standard, using data analytics to prevent food waste at the agricultural production level and enabling cities and governments to exponentially multiply their food security budgets. In Medellín, EatCloud transformed a municipal budget capable of purchasing 78,000 meals into over 3 million meals redistributed—a catalytic, exponential return on investment.

The episode closes with Jorge's vision for the future: a project called "Let's Connect a Million Points Against Hunger," aiming to link one million food distribution points across 50 countries within five years. He offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: fall in love with the problem, not the solution; focus on challenges that matter to humanity; think globally from day one; and remember that your product is not what you're selling, but what clients are ready to buy. From the streets of Bogotá to a global mission against hunger, this conversation reveals how technology, empathy, and entrepreneurial vision can turn waste into hope and surplus into sustenance.

🎧 The Next25 Podcast brings together leading experts to discuss the global challenges and ideas shaping the next 25 years.

🎙️ Dr. Le Hong Hiep, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Vietnam Studies Program at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore and editor of the journal Contemporary Southeast Asia, joined Eleonora Neri, International Relations Specialist at the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), for a compelling conversation about how Southeast Asia is navigating the intensifying strategic rivalry between the United States and China. Together they explore the regional dilemma of balancing between two great powers, the transformation of supply chains and tech competition, and Vietnam's delicate positioning in an era where neutrality is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

From the South China Sea to semiconductor supply chains, from tariff wars to AI infrastructure, Southeast Asia finds itself at the epicenter of US-China competition. Dr. Le Hong Hiep explains how the region "feels the heat" more acutely than anywhere else—caught between geographic proximity to China and deep economic ties to the United States. He examines how countries like the Philippines are leaning toward Washington, while Laos and Cambodia align more closely with Beijing, and how middle powers like Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia are attempting to hedge by maintaining good relations with both sides. Yet the space for this balancing act is shrinking, and the "don't make us choose" mantra may be losing its viability as both powers increasingly demand alignment.

The conversation turns to the economic dimension of this rivalry, particularly the reconfiguration of global supply chains. Dr. Le Hong Hiep reveals how Vietnam has emerged as a major beneficiary of the "China Plus One" strategy, attracting significant foreign investment from multinational companies diversifying away from China. Yet this opportunity comes with risk: US tariffs targeting transshipment, pressure to decouple from Chinese suppliers, and the challenge of avoiding overdependence on foreign capital. He discusses the infrastructure bottlenecks, energy constraints, and policy choices that will determine whether Vietnam can leverage this moment to upgrade its economy or become trapped between competing demands from Washington and Beijing.

AI and technology emerge as the new frontier in US-China competition. Dr. Le Hong Hiep describes how both powers are competing for influence over Southeast Asia's digital infrastructure—from NVIDIA versus Huawei chips to OpenAI versus DeepSeek models—and how regional governments are attempting to build technological autonomy to avoid becoming dependent on either side. He also reflects on the risks of technological bifurcation, where countries may be forced to adopt duplicate systems to satisfy both powers, straining resources and undermining efficiency. From Vietnam's four "no's" foreign policy to ASEAN's efforts to maintain centrality, this episode offers a grounded, forward-looking analysis of a region learning to live with uncertainty, adapt to disruption, and preserve strategic autonomy in a world increasingly defined by great power rivalry.

🎧 The Next25 Podcast brings together leading experts to discuss the global challenges and ideas shaping the next 25 years.

🎙️ Daniel Ospina, founder of Pygma, a fintech accelerator based in Bogotá, Colombia, joined Peter Kovacz from the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) for an engaging conversation about why Latin America is emerging as the next major frontier for fintech innovation. Together they explore the region's unique opportunities, the evolving startup ecosystem across Latin America, and how strategic support at the pre-seed stage can unlock transformative growth for founders building the future of financial technology.

From his early days at Endeavor to launching a micro fund and eventually founding Pygma—named after the Pygmalion effect, where high expectations drive high performance—Daniel shares his journey through Latin America's startup landscape. With over 129 companies now in the Pygma portfolio and close to 400 founders in the community, he explains why fintech has become the top venture capital investment category in the region and what makes this moment so critical for entrepreneurial innovation across Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and beyond.

The conversation examines the structural forces reshaping Latin American fintech: policy changes enabling instant payment systems like Brazil's Pix, the rise of stablecoin and crypto adoption in economies with volatile currencies, and the emergence of AI-driven solutions for cybersecurity and financial inclusion. Daniel discusses why founders with global ambitions are choosing to scale within Latin America's 600 million person market first, how regulatory environments are becoming more startup-friendly, and why access to capital at the earliest stages remains the missing piece for technically brilliant founders with strong co-founding teams.

From tech hubs in Medellín, Florianópolis, and Bogotá to the challenges of cross-border mobility and the role of community in founder success, this episode offers a grounded, optimistic perspective on Latin America's fintech transformation. Daniel also reflects on the realities of venture capital—why an 82% survival rate is strong in an asset class built on outliers, why most startups will fail while a few become fund returners, and how Pygma's model allows European and global investors to gain diversified exposure to 60 startups through a single vehicle. Whether you're an investor, founder, or ecosystem builder, this conversation reveals why Latin America is no longer an emerging market to watch—it's a fintech frontier demanding attention now.

🎧 The Next25 Podcast brings together leading experts to discuss the global challenges and ideas shaping the next 25 years.

🎙️ Flo Mosoane, founder of Easy Chicken Club in South Africa, joined Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ács, Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), for a conversation on the transformative potential of small-scale agriculture in Africa. Together they explore how technology, strategic infrastructure, and localized supply chains can unlock economic opportunity for millions while addressing food security challenges across the continent.

South Africa presents a paradox: a country of two agricultures. On one side, sophisticated commercial farming operations compete globally in blueberries, macadamia nuts, and other high-value crops. On the other, millions of small-scale farmers operate informally, locked out of markets by land ownership structures, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to inputs. FloM explains how this dual system creates enormous lost potential—especially in a country with a young population, high unemployment, and the natural resources to become a regional agricultural powerhouse.

The conversation centers on poultry production, the highest contributor to South Africa's agricultural output and a critical lever for both food security and poverty alleviation. Chicken is the most consumed protein in the country, affordable, efficient to produce, and scalable. Yet small-scale farmers remain trapped in a middle ground: too large to sell live chickens profitably on the roadside, too small to invest in processing and distribution. Easy Chicken Club solves this by enabling farmers to operate as though they were larger contract growers—aggregating demand for inputs, pooling supply for customers, and building localized processing infrastructure that bypasses large retail chains.

FloM shares her own journey from medical scientist to pharmaceutical professional to small-scale chicken farmer—a transition that revealed the financial fragility and systemic inefficiencies facing farmers. She describes the challenges of contaminated wood chips, the importance of veterinary support, and the role of technology in bridging gaps that have long excluded small producers from formal value chains. Her model leverages franchise systems, mobile apps, and distributed infrastructure to bring food safety, quality assurance, and economies of scale to farmers who have been operating in isolation.

The episode also examines Africa's broader agricultural landscape. Despite being rich in land, water, and human resources, the continent imports an extraordinary amount of food—not due to geography, but due to underinvestment and political instability. FloM remains optimistic, arguing that Africa has the opportunity to grow its agricultural sectors sustainably from the start, leveraging technology and intentional planning to avoid the resource depletion experienced elsewhere. From energy challenges to land redistribution, from poultry value chains to the role of chicken in the global protein transition, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful vision for the future of food in Africa.

🎧 The Next25 Podcast brings together leading experts to discuss the global challenges and ideas shaping the next 25 years.

How do we navigate a century defined by "God-like technologies" while still operating within "Stone Age" institutions? Join Zoltan Ács, Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) , in a profound conversation with impact investor and technologist Amit.

In this episode, we dive into the shifting architecture of our global economy—from the death of cash to the rise of agentic frameworks where AI transacts on our behalf. Amit challenges the traditional "Silicon Valley mindset" that prioritizes the how over the why, arguing instead for a future where sociocultural needs drive innovation.

• The Death of Intent-Based Transactions: Why 90% of our future financial interactions will be handled by autonomous agents.
• Technology as a Sociocultural Shift: Why digital and crypto adoption is skyrocketing in Africa and South America.
• The "Net Positive" Lens: How to build companies that serve the 200 million displaced people currently lacking a legal identity.
• Purpose vs. Permanence: Why the next generation of value-creators is moving away from status-seeking toward mission-driven impact.
  

About the Guest:

Amit is an impact investor and founder of Rainfall. His work focuses on creating a net positive impact on humanity through decentralized AI and self-sovereign identity.

About the Host:

Zoltan Ács is the Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS). He is a scholar and leader dedicated to exploring the ideas and human stories that will define the next 25 years.

🎙️ Shirley Bandak, General Partner at Maserine Climate, joined Peter Kocacz from the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), for an engaging conversation about water risk, climate adaptation, and the future of food security. They explore how data-driven technologies are helping communities adapt to extreme weather events, why water is the overlooked protagonist in the climate story, and what innovative solutions are emerging at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship.

From childhood memories of Israel's Sea of Galilee to the realities of Cape Town's Day Zero water crisis, Shirley shares personal insights on how water scarcity shaped her career path—from her early days at event tech startup Visibl to her current role investing in climate adaptation technologies. The conversation examines why water risk affects everything from insurance claims to supply chains, and how Industry 4.0 technologies like AI, sensors, and satellite imagery are making solutions faster, better, cheaper, and safer than ever before.

The discussion challenges common misconceptions about climate tech investing, revealing why water is often invisible in climate conversations despite its critical role across industries. Shirley explains the difference between climate mitigation and adaptation, why utilities struggle with basic data governance before implementing AI, and how weather prediction technologies are already helping communities prepare for extreme events days—or even hours—in advance. From teaching children about water conservation to rethinking technology with an adaptive mindset, this episode offers a pragmatic, optimistic lens on addressing one of humanity's most pressing challenges.

🎧 The Next25 Podcast brings together leading experts to discuss the global challenges and ideas shaping the next 25 years.

🎙️ Dr. Robert Lichtner, head of the Danube Strategy Point and Secretary of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, joined Prof. Dr. Zoltán Acs for a wide-ranging conversation on the cultural, economic, and political future of the Danube region. Together they explore the historical roots of Central European identity, the challenges and opportunities of EU enlargement, and the critical question facing Europe today: how to balance its regulatory traditions with the urgent need for digital transformation and entrepreneurial innovation.

From Slavic folklore to the legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, from pollution that crosses borders to startups that transcend national boundaries, this episode examines what unites 14 countries along the Danube and what divides them. Dr. Lichtner shares insights on macro-regional cooperation, the gradual integration of EU accession countries, and why the Danube strategy offers a practical model for working across borders on equal footing.

The conversation turns to Europe's competitive dilemma: as China leads in green technologies and the U.S. dominates in AI and digitalization, where does Europe and, specifically, the Danube region fit in? Zoltan Ács introduces the Digital Entrepreneur Ecosystem Index developed for the region, a diagnostic tool designed to guide policymakers through the transition ahead. The timing, as both guests agree, could not be more critical as Europe prepares its next multi-annual budget and countries negotiate their priorities for the coming years.

🎧 The Next25 Podcast brings together leading experts to discuss the global challenges and ideas shaping the next 25 years.

Former Israeli Ambassador Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, who served in Germany, Hungary, Jordan, the EU, and NATO, joined Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ács, Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies, for a conversation on diplomacy, the legacy of the Abraham Accords, and the Middle East’s evolving role in global trade and energy. Together they explore how cooperation, pragmatism, and hope can guide peace-building and sustainable progress in a rapidly changing world.

The Next25 Podcast brings together leading experts to discuss the global challenges and ideas shaping the next 25 years.

For more information on the Vienna Institute of Global Studies, go to www.vigsinstitute.at