Our Impact

Muhammad Zubair Madni is a digital and social innovator with over five years of experience in designing impactful, locally tailored interventions to bridge Pakistan's digital divide. Holding a master’s in Digital Technologies, Communication, and Education from the University of Manchester as a Chevening scholar, his work focuses on ICT solutions to improve connectivity and learning in underserved areas. As co-founder of the Cholistan Centre of Excellence, he leads the DIGITAL ROHI project in collaboration with the ITU, bringing digital access to marginalized communities. His efforts have reached over 10,000 people, earning him Pakistan's National Youth Award in 2021.

Thomas Terhemba James is from Nigeria, he is the founder of TED InnovativeSolutions Limited. With a background in electrical and electronics engineering, headdresses social challenges in rural communities in Nigeria associated with lack ofelectricity; with clean and renewable energy production. Using digital technology andArtificial Intelligence based model to learn and analyse customer data to offerpersonalised, flexible payment based on energy consumption and financialbehaviour, breaking affordability barriers. Thomas has earned local and internationalrecognition, including support from the Nigerian Content Development andMonitoring Board under the science and Technology Innovations Challenge (STIC),International Telecommunications Union, and Huawei under their GCYLP fellowshipand is committed to using innovation to create a sustainable business model andimpact.

Kevin Jin Kwan Kim is a Korean-Canadian director and editor based in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Known for his rhythmic editing style and his talent for storytelling, he brings to life intimate, relatable narratives that highlight BIPOC voices. His micro-shorts on heritage, including What Did They Say? and Halmeoni, have collectively garnered over 40 million views and recognition at the YDA in Cannes, the Webby Awards, CBC, and more. His short film Sun, Moon and Four Peaks premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival, winning the Grand Prix RPCE at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema.

Samih Daher is a 27-year-old healthcare professional from Lebanon, passionately dedicated to sexual health advocacy and a prominent voice within the LGBTQ+ community. Holding a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a Master’s in Clinical Research from Université Paris-Saclay, Samih specializes in the complexities of STDs and STIs, including HIV and Hepatitis. He has conducted numerous impactful workshops, such as “Sexual Health for Young Men” and “Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health,” creating open, safe environments for individuals to learn and discuss sensitive health topics. In 2023, Samih founded the SAPHe Community, an initiative aimed at improving access to sexual health resources and fostering peer support, underscoring his commitment to building a healthier, more informed society.

Stanley Anigbogu is a Nigerian creative technologist and social entrepreneur committed to tackling energy poverty and environmental challenges. As the Founder and CEO of LightEd, he transforms electronic and plastic waste into solar-powered solutions, providing clean, affordable energy to underserved communities across Africa. Stanley’s innovations, such as the Glow Lamp and Avatar Station, have impacted thousands, promoting sustainability and education while reducing energy poverty.Globally recognized for his work, Stanley has earned prestigious awards, including the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, the Swarovski Foundation Creative for Our Future Program, and the Globethics Youth Leadership Award. He is also a 776 Climate Fellow and an Echoing Green Fellow. His mission focuses on empowering communities and inspiring youth and community-led climate action for a more sustainable future.

Tamara is an expert in penal reform, who uses an evidence-based approach to support prisoner rehabilitation. Tamara previously worked as a prison officer in England & Wales as a participant of the Unlocked Graduates Programme, a leadership scheme for outstanding graduates. After her frontline role, Tamara informed national and international prison research and strategy for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and His Majesty's Prison Service in England & Wales. Since then, Tamara has founded her own NPO, Richtungswechsel, where she is currently applying her knowledge in penal reform and research to innovative solutions in supporting prisons tackling staffing problems, reducing reoffending, and improving prison conditions affecting outcomes for incarcerated individuals.

Jovia Kisakye, a social entrepreneur with a background in environmental science and business statistics from Makerere University, leads sustainable initiatives through Ecobed Biotech Brand. As CEO, she innovates in waste management and agriculture, creating mosquito-repellent skincare from spoiled milk and plant extracts and using fly larvae to transform food waste into organic fertilizers and animal feed for farmers. Recognized internationally by organizations like UNCTAD and Dovetail Impact Foundation, Jovia also serves on the African Union Youth Reference Committee, where she advocates for women’s empowerment and climate action across Africa.

Adolfo is a 23-year-old scientist, biotechnologist, and CEO of Celal-Mex, a startup turning pineapple waste into eco-friendly raw materials for products like diapers and bioplastics. Named Mexico's top student entrepreneur and recognized globally, Adolfo shares insights on scientific entrepreneurship with over 15,000 followers on TikTok and gives talks across Mexico to support scientists and entrepreneurs. His journey began after creating an electric wheelchair adapter inspired by his father's battle with brain cancer. Today, Celal-Mex has received acclaim from institutions like MIT and Babson College, aiming to inspire Mexican youth in science and innovation.

Adekoyejo Kuye is an innovative energy entrepreneur and CEO of KAMIM Technologies Limited, a leading Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firm in Nigeria. With nearly a decade of experience, he focuses on clean energy solutions for the power and agricultural sectors, including pioneering solar-powered cold rooms by repurposing end-of-life generators. Adekoyejo, who holds an engineering background and is pursuing an MBA in Energy and Sustainability, has spearheaded projects that connect thousands of farmers to sustainable energy. His leadership and commitment to sustainability have earned him awards from SEforALL, Carbon Trust, and others, and he is a prominent contributor to global energy dialogues, including at the United Nations.

Simon’s journey into space exploration began in his Czech hometown, inspired by Star Wars marathons and building rockets at age 12. At 16, he led his high school team to win NASA awards at the Conrad Challenge for a satellite-restarting laser system, gaining recognition from the Czech Prime Minister. This year, his team’s LASARsat satellite will launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 to test their innovation in orbit. A recipient of numerous accolades, including the European Space Agency’s Hack an Exoplanet prize, Simon dreams of making space exploration accessible to all students, inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Matyas Bohacek, a talented 18-year-old coder, won the Moonshot Idea category at the Moonshot Awards with 'Spotter', a sign language translation tool. His creation, aiming to assist 70 million people with hearing impairments, earned him a $10,000 award and opportunities to present at prestigious venues. Impressed by his innovation, Ivana Tykac offered to sponsor his education at Stanford University where he continues to enhance his skills.

2022 Moonshot Startup Award Winner: Luke Smith, a law student turned innovation leader. Luke's research revealed that adding a seaweed supplement to bovine diets reduces methane emissions by 95%. Now, with his Moonshot Award prize money, Luke is scaling seaweed production and exploring its benefits beyond livestock, leading to successful human trials and a pivot towards health-focused initiatives.

Nasreen Sheikh, a survivor of modern slavery who turned advocate, founded the Empowerment Collective to empower women in Nepal. Her initiative focuses on skills development and education to uplift women and families from poverty. With the help of the award, Nasreen expanded her work to Bihar, India, setting up centers for women's education and providing support to vulnerable children through school supplies and educational programs.