The inaugural Elevate Prize established in partnership between the Elevate Prize Foundation and MIT Solve now has its top 20 finalists who will compete this fall for a share of the challenge’s $5 million award. The disruptive change makers who are tackling global challenges were chosen by a 21-member judging panel that included titans from a broad range of backgrounds such as Chef José Andres, María Elena Salinas, and Yo-Yo Ma who complement leaders from business, academia and humanitarian organizations.
Diversity is part of this global challenge as the entrants were 50/50 female/male, while geographically they came from North America (45%), Sub-Saharan Africa (25%), South Asia (15%), Latin America & Caribbean (10%), and Middle East & North Africa (5%).
“As we close in on the final selection of our 10 heroes this fall, we couldn’t be prouder to share the top 20 finalists of the Elevate Prize, who powerfully represent so many parts of the world with their inspiring visions for change,” said Joseph Deitch, Founder, the Elevate Prize Foundation. “From gun and sexual violence prevention to expansion of education and healthcare access, our finalists are innovative problem-solvers, tackling areas affecting all walks of life.”
The top twenty finalists are:
- Amanda Nguyen, Rise Justice Labs
- Brenda Palms Barber, Sweet Beginnings
- Chetna Gala Sinha, Mann Deshi Foundation
- Christopher Turillo, Medha
- Dixon Chibanda, Friendship Bench Global
- Erica Ford, LIFE Camp
- Fadi Daou, Adyan Foundation
- Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, Ideas Beyond Borders
- Felix Brooks-church, Sanku
- Frank Beadle de Palomo, mothers2mothers
- Iffat Zafar, Sehat Kahani
- Koketso Moeti, amandla.mobi
- Michelle Mendez, Defending Vulnerable Populations Program
- Salva Dut, Water for South Sudan
- Stephanie Benedetto, Queen of Raw
- Tashka Yawanawá, Yawanawa Life Plan
- Trésor Nzengu Mpauni, Tumaini Letu
- Trisha Prabhu, ReThink
“Our finalists are transcending figurative and literal borders with their work to effect meaningful change, and demonstrating that anyone armed with motivation and ideas for social good can have an impact,” said Carolina García Jayaram, Founding Executive Director, the Elevate Prize Foundation.
The Elevate Prize Foundation was founded in 2019 by businessman, philanthropist, and author Joseph Deitch. The Foundation seeks to help humanity on a global scale by supporting social entrepreneurs within the areas of healthcare, the environment, poverty, inequality, the arts, and more. Its primary program the Elevate Prize is an annual search for innovators and social entrepreneurs who as finalists participate in a two-year program that energizes them with access to top scholars and industry leaders.
Similarly, MIT Solve seeks to address world challenges that serves as a marketplace for social impact innovation. Through open innovation challenges, Solve identifies tech-based social entrepreneurs working around the world and brings them into MIT’s innovation ecosystem. It includes a community of members and opportunities for funding and assistance while they seek to drive lasting, transformational change.
Learn about the 2020 Extreme Tech Challenge
