Field: Social Entrepreneurs
Innovation chief says “pressure test” your pet hypothesis. It’s guaranteed to be wrong.
His grandfather, a member of Oppenheimer’s atomic bomb team, foresaw the potential of nuclear energy to power cities – not destroy them. Today, Astro Teller is on a mission to harness innovation for good. Here’s how he’s doing it.
This floating fence can catch plastic waste before it hits the sea
The majority of oceanic plastic waste comes from rivers and coasts. Floating fences may help stop it at the source.
This start-up is recycling abandoned wooden homes in Baltimore
The Baltimore Wood Project salvages wood from buildings to repurpose and resell locally to create a circular economy.
Digital technology can cut global emissions by 15%. Here’s how.
The grand challenge for humanity is to ensure that groundbreaking technologies have a clear purpose for our planet.
Bioluminescent bacteria will soon light up this French street
French commune Rambouillet is serving as a testing ground for the soft glow of bioluminescent bacteria on the street.
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Just Might Work
NYC’s nonprofit DIY internet is taking on Verizon & more
1.5 million New Yorkers lack access to high-speed internet. Can a DIY mesh internet network change that?
How to build an inclusive economy
In partnership with Skoll Foundation
Our economy was designed to exclude and exploit people of color. These entrepreneurs are working to level the scales.
Startup is turning abandoned houses into affordable homes
The startup nonprofit Parity is renovating abandoned houses in Baltimore and then selling them to locals at affordable prices.
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Hard Reset
The underdog challenging McDonald’s and Wall Street
Everytable is scaling access to wealth through a healthy fast food revolution.
Remote Work Is Reversing the Brain Drain
Rural economies can now lure top talent away from big cities and affluent countries — could this be the reverse of the brain drain?
Austin is facing food insecurity. This student is on a mission to solve that.
In partnership with Ford
A med student thinks the key to reducing food insecurity is through transportation. He launched Good Apple, a healthy food delivery service for families in need.
Teens create website to combat social isolation in seniors
To help combat the problem of social isolation, three Texas teens created Big & Mini, a website that sets up video chats between seniors and younger people.
Not impossible: Ending hunger in America
Millions of households experience food insecurity in America. What if you could get a free meal simply by texting the word “Hungry”?
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Catalysts
How to get a job when you’re living in poverty
In partnership with Stand Together
In this unique job training program for those experiencing poverty, coaches focus on teaching the “harder skills” - love, forgiveness, and connection.
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Catalysts
From homeless to homeowner with a $6K fixer-upper
In partnership with Stand Together
Acts Housing is empowering low-income families by offering resources for every step of the process, from financial counselors to home renovation support.
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Challengers
Healthy fast food start up takes on the McDonald’s empire
This LA-based business wants to radically alter the fast food industry by selling healthy fast food at the same low cost as competitors like McDonald’s.
Nonprofits innovating in the face of COVID-19
In partnership with Stand Together
Wondering how you can help during the coronavirus? Here are five organizations that need your support, and how your donation could be doubled.
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Catalysts
3D printed homes for the homeless
In partnership with Stand Together
This 51-acre neighborhood for the homeless will be the first of its kind in the U.S. to have 3D printed homes.
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Catalysts
How urban farming saved a Dallas community
In partnership with Stand Together
In the impoverished community of Bonton, it takes a three-hour bus ride just to reach the nearest grocery store. But the neighborhood is now home to one of the largest urban farms in the US - offering jobs, nutrition programs, and more.
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Catalysts
Turning a construction site into a classroom
In partnership with Stand Together
unCommon Construction offers a unique alternative to your typical internship for high school students. Their program turns build sites into real-world classrooms where interns learn the soft skills they’ll need to succeed in the workforce.
Sometimes it really does take a village
Building a new, community-based foster care system
This former wall street felon is helping ex-cons find jobs
Doing prison time changed this Wall Street trader’s life. Now he’s helping others get jobs after prison - and stay out for good.
How to teach kids to read in as little as 50 days
In partnership with Skoll Foundation
1 in 10 people in the world today are illiterate. This program teaches people to read in as little as 50 days.
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Catalysts
A game-changer for chronic homelessness
In partnership with Stand Together
He turned a food truck for the homeless into a thriving 51-acre community.
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Catalysts
Can the apartment industry help solve homelessness?
In partnership with Stand Together
Meet the innovative group connecting people with housing — and a job that can pay for it.
Breaking abuse victims’ financial handcuffs
This amazing organization is doing whatever it takes to help domestic violence victims survive on their own.
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Catalysts
Introducing Catalysts
In partnership with Stand Together
It’s time to change how we make change. Join us as we meet inspiring social entrepreneurs who are exploring bold new solutions to big social problems.
This restaurant is giving young people a second chance
In partnership with Stand Together
Cafe Momentum offers an alternative to the revolving doors at Texas jails.
Rebuilding coal country
In partnership with Stand Together
Meet the nonprofit bringing jobs back to coal country.