Paradigm Initiative Nigeria
is a social enterprise fostering ICT-based development, education, anti-cybercrime, and civil society based in Lagos, Nigeria. It brings together public, private and non-profit resources to create a new future – and a new image – for Africa’s most populous nation.
LetITHelp (Philippines)
helps young IT professionals in the Philippines burnish their skills in a real-world (and award-winning) technology company, while imparting life and business know-how. Their holistic approach to personal development embodies the seamless blend between commercial and social enterprise.
Thrillophilia (India)
is the project of five young veterans of the Indian IT boom who love adventure travel and chose to take a risk with an innovative new service rather than playing it safe. It uses cutting-edge social media and a networked approach to lift professional standards in the travel industry.
Duto, SA (Colombia):
Three undergraduates at a technical college in rural Colombia invented a device to help blind children “see” what’s on a computer screen through touch sensitivity. Their award-winning project is now the basis of a commercial business, and evidence that innovation has no borders.
Brave New Talent (Global/UK):
is a UK-based startup that a start-up uses Facebook to reinvent the recruitment process. They are also co-sponsoring One Young World, a global congress of young leaders gathering in London under the direction of counselors including Kofi Annan, Desmond Tutu and Bob Geldoff.
Ushahidi (Africa):
This revolutionary approach to crisis management developed by a community of African programmers and social activists, using mobile devices, social networks and open visualization tools to provide emergency response around the world. Their most recent efforts are helping the relief effort following the earthquake in Haiti.
Globant (Argentina):
In 2002, five young tech professionals in Buenos Aires had a dream of turning Argentina into a hub for IT outsourcing. Their business has transcended their expectations to become a recognized global innovator and partner to some of the world’s leading companies.
Young Americas Business Trust (US/Americas)
sponsors the annual TICAmericas contest, recognizing innovation and entrepreneurial excellence throughout the Western hemisphere. It brings attention and resources to next-generation talent throughout the Americas.
Globals (India):
Suhas Gopinath founded Globals when he was just 14, designing websites in the local cybercafé in Bangalore. It’s now a multinational company with operations across Europe, Asia, North America and Africa, and Suhas was recognized as entrepreneur of the year by the World Economic Forum.
mPedigree (Ghana)
is trying to stamp out the scourge of counterfeit pharmaceuticals by allowing anyone to validate drugs using the simple text-messaging capabilities of any mobile phone. Launched in Ghana in 2007, mPedigree is now rolling out across the developing world.