Each year, over $60 billion in government contracts go unanswered due to the complexity of the procurement process, leaving transformative funds untapped in emerging economies. Rifbid, an AI-powered e-procurement platform, is revolutionising how government agencies and contractors connect. For agencies, Rifbid simplifies procurement with generative AI tools that streamline solicitation, evaluation, and actionable insights. For contractors, it removes barriers by offering tailored contract recommendations and AI-driven tools for creating fully compliant bids, significantly increasing success rates while saving time.

Rifbid is committed to democratising access to government contracts, empowering small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and driving Sustainable Development Goals such as decent work (SDG 8), innovation (SDG 9), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10). To date, Rifbid has streamlined bid preparation for 600 suppliers and plans to onboard its first government agencies by Q1 of 2025. Supported by $120,000 in funding from Techstars, Rifbid is scaling operations across the Caribbean. By unlocking procurement’s potential, Rifbid aims to transform economic growth, ensuring opportunities become impactful projects that drive inclusivity and sustainability in emerging economies.

Concentrix’s Project Change supports innovative, impactful employee-led initiatives, and in 2023, Knitting Hope was selected as one such project. Rooted in Portugal’s crochet traditions, Knitting Hope transforms plastic waste, particularly plastic bags, into PLARN (plastic yarn) and repurposes it through crochet. The initiative combines ecological action, mental health benefits, and community engagement. Research highlights that crochet’s rhythmic motions reduce stress and regulate breathing, improving mental health. Practised in groups, it also fosters social well-being by encouraging positive interactions and human connection.

Knitting Hope aims to inspire Concentrix’s global community to form local groups, increasing their collective impact. Volunteers are encouraged to partner with community groups, offering training in PLARN crochet or donating handmade items. This initiative underscores the urgency of addressing plastic waste—globally, we consume 160,000 plastic bags per second, with less than 1% recycled. By 2050, plastic in oceans may surpass fish populations. To date, 273 employees have been trained to crochet recycled plastic into useful items, and local partnerships have been established in Porto, Portugal, and Bangkok, Malaysia. Knitting Hope embodies the intersection of climate action, community care, and sustainability, building a better future through creativity and connection.

The Marine Diaries is a marine conservation nonprofit leveraging storytelling and digital media to communicate ocean science and connect people with the ocean. By bridging the education gap between science and the general public, the organisation drives awareness and action through educational content, events, and curated ocean experiences. Since 2017, it has grown into a global community of over 50,000 ocean advocates and supported early-career ocean advocates through internships, career workshops, and training.

Key projects include impactful campaigns like Plastic Not Fantastic, which raised awareness of plastic pollution through articles, videos, guides, and collaborations with 35+ researchers and NGOs. Another project, the Marine Ecosystem Diaries, educated audiences on the critical importance of nine marine ecosystems via short films, illustrated posters, and events. The films reached more than 130,000 viewers on YouTube alone and received 38 film festival selections, including Jackson Wild.

The Marine Diaries has hosted over 40 events. Through just its webinar series it has directly educated 1,200 people. It has produced diverse resources used globally by individuals, educators, and NGOs. Recognised with awards like the Commonwealth Youth Award and Community Engagement Award (Youth4Ocean), it continues to inspire and connect people with ocean conservation. As an NGO partner with 1% for the Planet, The Marine Diaries is currently seeking funding and in-kind support for its projects including documentaries, educational translations, and ocean experiences for underserved communities. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you can provide support!

DigiSwasthya Foundation, founded by cancer survivor Sandeep Kumar, is revolutionising rural healthcare in India through innovative telemedicine solutions. Motivated by his struggle to access quality medical care, Sandeep established DigiSwasthya to bridge healthcare disparities in underserved rural areas. The nonprofit set up telemedicine centres in remote regions with limited medical infrastructure, offering free consultations across various specialities. These services prioritise early diagnosis and treatment of critical conditions like cancer, diabetes, anaemia, and thalassemia.

Since its inception, DigiSwasthya has facilitated over 68,385 teleconsultations, including 376 cancer-specific cases, organized 1,739 health camps, and reached 2 million people across villages in India. Collaborating with local health workers and partners, the foundation delivers culturally sensitive healthcare tailored to community needs.

Recognised by platforms like Forbes 30 Under 30 and Stanford University’s Seed Spark Program, DigiSwasthya has been featured by The Times of India, CNBC-TV, and Better India. Supported by organisations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UNDP, it also promotes digital health literacy. With a vision to bridge healthcare gaps, DigiSwasthya ensures equitable access to essential medical services for rural populations, upholding the right to health for all.

Maricelma Fialho, a Terena indigenous leader from Bananal Village, is the first biomedical scientist of her ethnic group and a trailblazer in health, education, and cultural preservation. She holds a master’s degree and is currently a PhD student in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases from the School of Medicine at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, she dedicates her work to the social transformation and cultural empowerment of her community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maricelma safeguarded her village, distributing food, 70% alcohol, and masks to over 300 families, exemplifying the critical role of indigenous leadership during global emergencies.

As a volunteer with the Brazilian Red Cross, she facilitated access to healthcare and humanitarian services for more than 100 indigenous families. Through the Terena Youth Collective, she has led over 10 projects to promote youth leadership and cultural preservation. Her health campaigns provided medical care, vaccinations, and first aid training to over 500 people. Additionally, as a member of the Terena Institute of Intercultural Education, she works to preserve the Terena language and culture, inspiring 200 young people through motivational talks.

Maricelma’s impactful initiatives reflect her dedication to improving lives, fostering leadership, and celebrating Terena heritage, inspiring future generations.

Vyuhaa Med is a health-tech startup focused on transforming women’s healthcare by providing accessible, accurate, and affordable cervical cancer screenings. Its flagship product, CerviAI, combines AI-driven diagnostics with cloud-based technology to enable early detection, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Cervical cancer, though preventable, remains a leading cause of mortality due to limited access to screenings, which Vyuhaa Med addresses through portable digital hubs that offer high-precision diagnostics in low-resource settings, potentially saving 20-30% of lives.

Since its launch, Vyuhaa Med has screened over 6,000 women in rural Telangana, identifying early-stage anomalies in 2% of cases. The startup has also partnered with healthcare providers, NGOs, and public health programs to expand screening access. Vyuhaa Med’s efforts have led to a 60% reduction in cervical cancer screening costs, with approval from the Indian FDA for trials and funding from the Indian Council for Medical Research. Additionally, Vyuhaa Med has partnered with six healthcare organizations and three NGOs, further integrating CerviAI into outreach programs to scale screenings across low-resource communities.