Chantel: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Indigeponics provides educational resources for communities to grow their own food using sustainable growing systems, like hydroponic systems. In the past, we had a demonstrational greenhouse that encouraged communities to interact with plants in a unique space that combines science, technology, and culture from an indigenous perspective. Currently, we provide free resources for communities about the basics of hydroponics, plant needs like light, nutrition, and water, and different types of hydroponic systems. Overall, our goal is to continue help others grow tasty food that is easily accessible and culturally relevant to bring communities together through food and kindness.
Saurabh: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Our startup is tackling the inefficiency in data pipelines, specifically within Spark and similar platforms. By optimizing transformations and queries with generative AI, we ensure that these pipelines consume fewer resources, save energy, and reduce time as well as costs for our clients. Our focus is not only on improving operational efficiency, but also on promoting sustainable, green software practices that contribute to a more eco-friendly tech industry.
Danielle: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Indigenous people have the highest rates of poverty in the US, the lowest college graduation rates, and the highest rates of “deaths of despair”—meaning deaths from suicide, drug use, and alcohol abuse. Without healing the underlying pain in our communities, these statistics will continue. But to heal the suffering, people need self-sufficiency. They need to be able to pay their bills, and they need good jobs to do that. So that’s where we started: jobs. Natives Rising is a 501c3 nonprofit where we help Indigenous people get good jobs in tech, graduate college with tech degrees, and become entrepreneurs. We offer a holistic approach where we provide emotional support and wellbeing coaching to help heal trauma and self-limiting beliefs.
