PODCAST: Where Venture Capital Meets Sustainability with Matthew Wright, Laura Foti & Matt Saunders

Episode Title: Where Venture Capital Meets Sustainablity with Mathew Wright, Laura Foti & Matt Saunders

Guest:

• Matthew Wright, Founder of Specright
• Laura Foti, Chief Customer Officer at Specright
• Matt Saunders, Managing Partner at New Earth Ventures

Summary:

In this episode, Cory Connors welcomes three influential leaders—Matthew Wright, Laura Foti, and Matt Saunders—to discuss the new partnership between Specright and New Earth Ventures. Together, they explore how digitizing packaging data, leveraging AI, and strategically deploying venture capital can accelerate sustainability, compliance, and product innovation across global supply chains. The conversation highlights the growing need for accurate packaging data, the impact of extended producer responsibility (EPR), and how purposeful investment can support both the planet and profitable business growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Specright’s origin and mission to eliminate waste through better data.
• Why packaging data accuracy is essential for sustainability and compliance.
• New Earth Ventures’ investment strategy and partnership goals.
• How EPR regulations drive the need for digitized, centralized spec data.
• The role of AI in transforming packaging and product development.
• Broader uses of Specright beyond EPR, including search, NPD, and procurement.

Resources Mentioned:

• Specright – Specification Data Management Platform
• New Earth Ventures – Hybrid corporate venture fund from Atlantic Packaging
• Atlantic Packaging Solution Center

Contact:

New Earth Ventures:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Website 

Specright:

• LinkedIn
• Website

Closing Thoughts:

Cory and the guests emphasize that packaging is entering a new era driven by AI, regulation, and data transparency. They highlight how collaboration between innovators, investors, and manufacturers can create a more sustainable world—one where packaging is smarter, supply chains are more efficient, and businesses thrive through responsible innovation. Together, Specright and New Earth Ventures aim to redefine how packaging is designed, measured, and managed.

Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors!

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