D-Lab Scale-Ups awards $60,000 to three MIT social entrepreneurs

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Launched in 2011, the D-Lab Scale-Ups fellowship program offers one year of support to MIT graduates bringing technology-based, poverty-alleviating products and services to market at scale. Each fellow is awarded a $20,000 grant and provided with tailored mentorship, skills-building resources, and partnership-cultivation opportunities.

To date, the program has supported 13 fellows working in sectors including health care, waste recycling, water sanitation, solar energy, and agriculture. These fellows are launching ventures in less-industrialized markets in Africa, Central and South America, and Asia.

This year’s D-Lab Scale-Ups fellowships have been awarded to alumni Zehra Ali of Ghonsla, Matthew Orosz of STG International, and Sidhant Pai of Protoprint. “Zehra, Matt, and Sid are pushing the boundaries with markedly different products and markets — environmentally sustainable insulation for homes and offices in Pakistan, energy for health clinics in Lesotho, and fair-trade 3-D printer filament from waste-pickers in India,” says Eric Reynolds, manager of the D-Lab Scale-Ups fellowship program. “While all MIT graduates, their paths are remarkably diverse, ranging from two to 10 years of committed product and venture development. They are an inspiring trio, and I’m excited to see where their efforts will lead over the coming year.”

Source: MIT News (link opens in a new window)

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Education
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impact investing, research