🍿 Good Business #11 • WaterBear
Purposeful streaming platform that drives global impact
Hey, I hope you are having a good week. A little different format this week (I’ve been testing some variations and would love your feedback). I’m focusing on the “nutshell” section and leaving the “long story” section out for this week.
I personally found WaterBear last year and have been watching so many inspiring films!
😍 Spreading Love
Ellen Windemuth once received a letter from a suicidal man: “This film really gives me hope and I’ll reconnect to nature again.”
“This film is a culmination of a 25-year friendship with Craig, My Octopus Teacher filmmaker” — Ellen Windemuth, My Octopus Teacher producer
99% of fashion students would look for leather alternatives after watching Slay, a film about the leather industry.
🌰 Good business in a nutshell
Company - WaterBear
What they do - Streaming platform for impactful, educational and inspirational films. It facilitates watchers to take action for a better planet.
The problems – There’s no easy connection between watching a documentary and taking action.
How they started - “I think we need our own network”. That was Ellen’s lightbulb moment after seeing clips from Craig Foster. He was diving in cold waters to recover from burnout and following the evolution of an octopus. The long-time friends joined forces and launched The Octopus Teacher.
Areas of Impact - SDGs
Impact Model - Watch a film. Take action through one of more than 100 partners. Sign a petition. Donate.
How they make money - Sponsorships
Revenue - Not disclosed
Join the Cause - https://www.linkedin.com/company/waterbear-network/jobs/
Who started everything - Ellen Windemuth
Before founding WaterBear, she was buying and selling documentaries for companies.
“I was tired of making men look good. It was my need to create a company.” She went to South Africa and started working with young filmmakers there.
“I was tired of making men look good” — Ellen Windemuth