Podcast/Video Interviews by Stephen Ibaraki

A Chat with Bernhard Kowatsch: International Technology and Innovation Executive; Director Global Accelerator & Ventures at United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP); Co-Founder of the global leading fundraising app, Share the Meal

This week, Stephen Ibaraki has an exclusive interview with Bernhard Kowatsch.

Bernhard Kowatsch is an International Technology and Innovation Executive with nearly two decades of deep experience in building and investing in innovation and technology solutions, including AI/ML, for global companies, UN organizations, and startups.

He is the Director Global Accelerator & Ventures at United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP), which he created in 2015. Under his leadership, the Innovation Accelerator has grown into the world's biggest social impact startup accelerator, offering programs focused on multiple social and sustainability issues, such as hunger, climate change, primary healthcare, gender equality, and emergency response. Its portfolio of startups and innovations has improved the lives of 61 million people globally and raised over $320 million in grant funding. The Accelerator has been recognized as a FastCompany Best Workplace for Innovators in 2020, 2021, and 2024.

Bernhard is also the Co-Founder of the global leading fundraising app, ShareTheMeal, which has reached over 1.9 million users and delivered over 290 million meals for hungry children worldwide. The app secured major awards, including Best App of 2020 from both Apple and Google.

Prior to his work at the UN World Food Programme, he was a Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group, where he advised global technology and industrial goods companies on strategy, new business creation, new product development, and marketing.

Bernhard is a recognized social impact thought leader and speaker on global stages, including his TED talk, 'The mindset shift needed to tackle big global challenges', which has over 1.7 million views. He is a LinkedIn Top Voice and a regular speaker at conferences such as the World Economic Forum, SXSW, XPRIZE, and COP. He also holds advisory roles with organizations like XPRIZE and the ValueAI Institute.