Can you create real impact, and still make a living?

That’s the question we asked Matthias Treutwein, the co-founder of Enpact, one of the leading nonprofits empowering entrepreneurs across the Global South.

From navigating complex funding ecosystems to facing the everyday trade-offs of leading a mission-driven organization, Matthias offers an honnest look at what it really takes to stay true to your values, build systems that work, and make the kind of change that sticks.

With no script and no prep, Matthias answered our “Questions Out of the Box”, pulled one by one from our white box, Matthias walked us through the realities he has lived, the tension between mission and survival, the mistakes institutions keep making, and the real moments of impact that do not always fit into reports or KPIs.

Highlights of the conversation:

• How NGOs can think more like entrepreneurs (without losing their soul)
• Why some development projects fail — and what to fix
• The hidden legacy that proves you’ve made a real impact
• How to balance values and compromise without regret

This episode is part of our Questions Out of the Box series: raw, unscripted interviews recorded in one take. No filters. No second takes. Just the truth, one question at a time.

[01:01] - Who are you, and what is Enpact?

• Matthias introduces himself and Enpact’s mission: empowering entrepreneurs across the Global South by building programs that prioritize partnership, trust, and long-term value.

[03:14] - How to make money helping others?

• Matthias unpacks the tension between financial sustainability and social impact, challenging the binary between “business” and “social business.”

[04:34] - What does real impact look like?

• From measurable metrics to human stories — including a couple who met during an Enpact program and now have children — Matthias shares what lasting impact actually looks like.

[06:28] - How does the international development system work?

• Matthias lifts the curtain on the geopolitical and bureaucratic dynamics behind funding, partnerships, and “who gets to decide.”

[07:58] - Are development programs made to help or to look good?

• Candid and nuanced, this answer highlights systemic flaws, the slow pace of bureaucracy, and the importance of funding reaching real people.

[10:01] - One mistake governments keep making

• Matthias makes a strong case for investing more in education and listening to communities before building programs on assumptions.

[11:17] - Does the world still need Europe’s help?

• A bold reflection on Europe’s waning influence and the need to stop replicating outdated power structures in international cooperation.

[12:25] - What the Global South gets right

• From birth rates to hustle mindset — Matthias reflects on the energy, urgency, and collaborative spirit he sees in Global South entrepreneurs.

[14:04] - How do NGOs earn money?

• Matthias explains the legal and operational limitations for nonprofit income models and why reform is needed to support financial independence.

[15:31] - 3 pieces of advice for building an impact business

• This is a masterclass. From self-awareness to testing assumptions and surrounding yourself with diverse co-founders — Matthias shares practical insights from a decade of experience.

[17:48] - Have you ever compromised your values?

• An honest, vulnerable reflection on the pain and complexity of leadership decisions when values are tested.

[19:31] - One thing we dare you to do

• Matthias ends with a powerful challenge: flip your networking mindset. Ask how you can help someone — before asking what you can get.

[21:07] - The Final Unboxing: What does your future look like?

• A hopeful message to anyone feeling overwhelmed: stay grounded, stay focused, and don’t let others define your path.

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