Ashoka searches the systems-changing social entrepreneurs across the world through an intensive, human-centered “Venture” process.
Once selected into its global Fellowship, entrepreneurs receive financial and professional support, and join a network of over +4,000 selected Fellows in over 95 countries, connecting them to the people, ideas, and resources needed to grow and deepen their impact. At the core of the Lenovo-Ashoka collaboration is the strategic role Lenovo plays in contributing to the identification process and support of the next generation of Ashoka Fellows.
The “Selection & Support of Inspiring Ashoka Fellows” initiative has the goal to identify and select between 5-7 Ashoka Fellows from the Global South working at the intersection of social innovation and technology. Candidates need to emphasize the crucial role of technology in driving impactful and scalable solutions to address pressing social and environmental challenges especially within Lenovo's strategic focus areas such as:
- Climate change (including disaster relief);
- Circular economy & resource preservation (water, agriculture);
- Health;
- Better Technology (e.g. responsible AI, algorithmic bias, access to the internet, environmental footprint of tech...)
- Education (e.g. STEM)
Beyond this, the initiative was a learning opportunity for Lenovo leaders to increase their understanding on social impact and systemic thinking and get to know the tech solutions are being implemented in the social innovation sector. Through a curated process, and leveraging their unique regional and local knowledge, Lenovo Leaders were encouraged to nominate:
These are the Ashoka Fellows selected and supported by the Ashoka & Lenovo partnership
Abiodun Adereni
HelpMum
Sonja Betschart
WeRobotics and the Flying Labs Network
Sonja Betschart
WeRobotics and the Flying Labs Network
Sonja Betschart (Switzerland)
Sonja has developed a new framework to ensure that local experts across developing countries have the know-how and power to drive technology-rich solutions to developmental challenges their local communities care about most.
Silvana Bahia
PretaLab
Silvana Bahia
PretaLab
Silvana Bahia (Brazil)
Silvana is working to ensure the presence and recognition of Black women in the technology field by developing the interpersonal and technical skills of professionals dedicated to creating inclusive technologies that reflect Brazil's diversity
Gustaff Iskandar
Gustaff bridges Indonesia’s digital divide by building culturally rooted, community-based internet infrastructure that empowers Indigenous communities, tackles socio-economic inequality and fosters local innovation and resilience.
Aurel Stenzel
Aurel promotes a new data paradigm through open-source cryptographic tools that enable secure, privacy-preserving sharing, treating data as a common good to support transparent governance and reduce inequality and environmental harm.
José Soares
José is reshaping the sports industry into an inclusive ecosystem by using technology, advocacy and education to create opportunities for people with disabilities to lead and innovate.
Galo Diallo
Galo harnesses social media algorithms and collaborative hackathons to promote a more professional, accountable and constructive online culture while curbing harmful content and misinformation.
Tochukwu
Tochukwu strengthens Nigeria’s engineering and manufacturing sectors by closing the education–industry gap through practical, tech-driven programs, supporting SMEs and shaping policy to drive local production, job creation, and economic growth.