Seed funding for startups and effective altruism with Sean Donnelly, Ripples

Remember going to shops and popping your change into a charity collection box next to the till? The problem for charities is this has become a memory, not a habit, as we move to a cashless society.And it means an £80m shortfall in fundraising every year for charities which used to collect spare change.But Sean Donnelly's business Ripples, a social enterprise, wants to fix this and help small acts of generosity ripple outward to make a huge impact. Ripples uses Open Banking and its own clever, flexible and secure design to make a positive difference. It seeks to enable small penny donations and ultimately raise millions for charities, schools and important causes around the world. Sean  had to "kiss a lot of frogs" on the journey to secure seed funding for Ripples (which launched as Roundups and has just refreshed its branding). So he's got lots to say which will help other entrepreneurs prepare for seed investment rounds and finding angel investors.We also cover effective altruism, seeking to maximise the impact of money donated or invested into doing good, plus the value of networks and ecosystems for startups in tech, finding a co-founder and the lessons Sean learned from earlier businesses he launched.Timings:0 - 3:17 Introduction.3:17 Interview with Sean Donnelly, co-founder, Ripples (which has secured investment from Sheffield-based business accelerator, TwinklHive).33:30 What books have informed, inspired or challenged you, or given you tools you've found useful? Let me know. Sean and I talked a little about William MacAskill's "Doing Good Better – Effective Altruism and a Radical New Way to Make a Difference." Worth reading. Do you have book recommendations? Get in touch.35:28 Upcoming events including Tramlines, the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival and the Outdoor City.36:29 Funding! Travel sector and hospitality, accommodation and leisure grants (Sheffield), details here. And the Digital Innovation Grant (DIG) programme supports Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Yorkshire to develop their use of digital technology.38:09 Wrapping up.