Meet the 2024 Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Semi-Finalists!
Women Financial Literacy
Submitted by: Pooja A. (Taco Bell Team Member)
Location: Delhi | India
Project description: The "Women Financial Literacy" project is dedicated to enhancing the financial knowledge for women aged 15-35. Focusing on crucial financial skills such as saving, investing, and understanding financial rights, this initiative addresses a critical gap in financial understanding, and helps women make informed decisions for their personal and family well-being. To date, the “Women Financial Literacy” project has identified their community’s key educational needs and has outlined action steps that include offering free and accessible educational workshops, developing a comprehensive online learning platform, and forming partnerships with NGOs and financial institutions to maximize reach and impact.
महिलाओं और लड़कियों का स्वास्थ्य: सेनेटरी नैपकिन का निपटान।
Submitted by: Sakshi K.
Location: Satara, Maharashtra|India
Project description: महिलाओं और लड़कियों का स्वास्थ्य: सेनेटरी नैपकिन का निपटान। (meaning Health of Women and Girls: Disposal of Sanitary Napkins) is a project designed to increase access to sanitary napkins through a local disposal machine. Due to inequities in accessing sanitary napkins, many women and girls do not have access to sanitary pads which can lead to health complications. This project works to democratize access to the resources necessary for women and girls to experience a safe and healthy period.
प्रगति
Submitted by: Daljeet K.
Location: Takmunda, Chhattisgarh | India
Project description: प्रगति (sounds like: Pragati) is an initiative advancing educational opportunities for young people in Takmunda, Chhattisgarh, India. In the context of an increasing school dropout rate among young people, Pragati has partnered with community stakeholders to create a range of programming to engage young people in educational initiatives. This programming includes “Bal Sabha” for educational videos and “Evening Classes” to support education and community development.
अपने गांव के 18 से 30 वर्ष के युवा को स्टार्टअप और उद्यमिता के द्वारा रोजगार के लिए जागरूक करना.
Submitted by: Pammy K.
Location: Aurangabad, Bihar | India
Project description: अपने गांव के 18 से 30 वर्ष के युवा को स्टार्टअप और उद्यमिता के द्वारा रोजगार के लिए जागरूक करना (meaning: Educate the Youth of our Village Between the Ages of 18 and 30 for Employment Through Startups and Entrepreneurs) is increasing local employment opportunities for young people. Because of a current lack of employment opportunities, young people migrate beyond the village to access employment. Through educating and training village youth on entrepreneurship and connecting them with government initiatives for financial support, this initiative reduces the need for migration by fostering local economic opportunities.
बिहार में बंजर भूमि पर हरियाली बढ़ाने के लिए कृषि वानिकी को बढ़ावा देना
Submitted by: Sangam S.
Location: Jamui, Bihar | India
Project description: बिहार में बंजर भूमि पर हरियाली बढ़ाने के लिए कृषि वानिकी को बढ़ावा देना (meaning: Promoting Agroforestry to increase greenery on barren land in Bihar) is an initiative working to promote food security and environmental sustainability in Bihar, India. Because Bihar has only 6% forest cover, the barren land in the state contributes to environmental degradation and food insecurity. This initiative promotes agroforestry by training and connecting farmers with government programs and through integrating trees with existing crops to advance sustainability.
Project Leher
Submitted by: Vishal K.
Location: Delhi NCR | India
Project description: Project Leher is a cigarette butt waste management system that recycles and repurposes cigarette butt waste into construction materials and packaging. Through creating employment opportunities for women entrepreneurs in a comprehensive recycling process, Project Leher additionally advances the circular economy in India. To date, Project Leher has reduced 22,000 kg of microplastic, saved 12 million cubic meters of water and collected 25 million cigarette butts with plans to expand their waste collection supply chain in coming months.
Daftee
Submitted by: Harshita C.
Location: Delhi NCR |India
Project description: Daftee expands access to safe and informed care for survivors of Gender-Based Violence in India through a WhatsApp-based chatbot. Beginning as a peer support group for survivors of Gender-Based Violence at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Daftee has grown into a “support system to bridge the gap between the availability and the supply of support between survivors of GBV.” To date, Daftee has reached 300+ survivors and over 10K+ people through social media with aims to grow as a service provider across all regions of India offering support in all regional languages.
Project Ikshana
Submitted by: Sudharma K.
Location: Raigad, Maharashtra | India
Project description: Project Ikshana expands access to vision health and economic opportunity through providing accessible and affordable eye care with a particular focus on cataract care for those in need. Through a sustainable social enterprise model, Project Ikshana additionally “trains and employs individuals from the community to conduct eye screenings and provide ongoing support.” In coming months Project Ikshana aims to establish additional sustainable eye care clinics and foster socioeconomic development through a revenue-sharing model that benefits local communities.
Chuppi Todoh
Submitted by: Priyanshi B.
Location: Delhi NCR | India
Project description: Chuppi Todoh advances menstrual equity in India through expanding access to affordable sanitary products in schools and universities. Additionally, Chuppi Todoh addresses social stigmas relating to period poverty through storytelling and sharing narratives of changemaking. In upcoming months, Chuppi Todoh plans to partner with 15 schools in the Delhi NCR region to reach 2 lakh+ young girls as well as over 500 young people through a storytelling listening platform.
UyirVayu
Submitted by: Divya G.
Location: Delhi NCR | India
Project description: UyirVayu, a name that translates to “life-giving air,” is an eco-friendly air purifier treating indoor air pollution within Indian cities. Current rates of air pollution in Indian cities including Noida, Chennai, Delhi and Faridabad risk negative health consequences for all city residents. Through utilizing activated carbon filtration to effectively remove airborne contaminants, the UyirVayu team is working towards providing the air purifier solution in upcoming years to target uses in 10 Indian cities with the most polluted air.
Official Humans of Queer
Submitted by: Yash S.
Location: Delhi NCR | India
Project description: Official Humans of Queer is a digital platform offering authentic representation and connection within India’s diverse queer community through first-person narratives. The platform’s work to “bridge stereotypes and amplify diverse narratives” aims to reshape the narrative around queerness in India. With over 1,000 features over the course of 3 and a half years, Official Humans of Queer plans to expand in upcoming months through launching a new podcast and making documentaries highlighting the multifaceted dimensions of the queer experience.
वंचित बच्चों को शिक्षा सहायता, प्रवेश परीक्षा की तैयारी, रोल मॉडल विकास, ड्रॉपआउट दर कम करना।
Submitted by: Rumi P.
Location: Kishanganj, Bihar | India
Project description: वंचित बच्चों को शिक्षा सहायता, प्रवेश परीक्षा की तैयारी, रोल मॉडल विकास, ड्रॉपआउट दर कम करना। (meaning: Education Support for Underprivileged Children, Entrance Exam Preparation, Role Model Development, Dropout Rate Reduction) works to advance access to equitable education in Bihar, India with a focus on supporting young people from rural areas. Through partnering with local families and communities, this initiative aims to promote social upliftment through education.
क्लास - कंप्यूटर लिटरेसी स्कूलों में| CLAS - Computer Literacy At School
Submitted by: Aneek
Location: Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh | India
Project description: क्लास - कंप्यूटर लिटरेसी स्कूलों में (meaning: Computer Literacy at School) works to bridge educational and computer literacy gaps for rural children within India. Through providing daily 1 hour computer literacy classes for children in government schools, with incentives to increase attendance and engagement, this initiative works to strengthen academic performance through democratizing access to computer literacy.
आत्मरक्षा से आत्मविश्वास और आत्मसम्मान तक
Submitted by: Khushi R.
Location: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | India
Project description: आत्मरक्षा से आत्मविश्वास और आत्मसम्मान तक (sounds like: Aatmaraksha Se Aatmavishvaas Aur Aatmasammaan Tak) provides self-defense training and skill development for children living in institutional care. Through training in karate, martial arts, and sports, Aatmaraksha Se Aatmavishvaas Aur Aatmasammaan Tak supports young people with backgrounds living in institutional care to live independently and pursue careers as personal trainers and professional athletes.
Muktaa Free Mental Health Hotline
Submitted by: Dhriti A.
Location: Pune, Maharashtra|India
Project description: Muktaa democratizes access to free preventive and treatment support for mental health through counselling and mental health awareness programs. With a vision for an India where “mental health care is destigmatised, deinstitutionalised, culturally responsive and community-based,” Muktaa is driving a quality and accessible mental health care ecosystem. To date, the Muktaa team has answered 4,000+ calls on mental health across India and is looking to expand beyond their current digital outreach to increase last-mile access in rural locations.
Cognitii
Submitted by: Souvik G.
Location: New Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Mumbai | India
Project description: Cognitii is India’s first AI-powered holistic learning platform for children with special learning needs. Through providing engaging and contextualized learning experiences, Cognitii works to democratize access to tailored learning support for the 30 million children in India with special educational needs. The mobile platform is currently being tested in collaboration with students in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata with aims to fully launch the product in October 2024.
Turning Plastic Peril into Community Health & Wealth
Submitted by: Vineet K.
Location: Aurangabad, Bihar | India
Project description: Polyfueler is transforming the waste management industry through converting plastic pollution into eco-friendly fuel. In addition to expanding access to employment through the plastic waste conversion process, Polyfueler also supports farmers and industries, “providing them with affordable fuel sourced from recycled plastic.” Polyfueler aims to expand their reach in coming months by establishing additional plastic waste recycling units and conducting pollution awareness campaigns.
Kunji
Submitted by: Avneesh K.
Location: Delhi and Dehradun | India
Project description: Project Kunji works to support an inclusive reintegration of formerly incarcerated people through a toll-free helpline and a microentrepreneurship program focusing on street cart enterprises. Through providing comprehensive support and a safe space to discuss issues of discrimination and stigma, Project Kunji provides a supportive community and economic opportunities for formerly incarcerated people. Project Kunji’s vision is to create a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure tailored for prisons throughout India to set up Post-Release Helpline Centres within respective states.
Seaweed Sanstha
Submitted by: Shreeya
Location: Gujrat and Tamil Nadu | India
Project description: Seaweed Sanstha works to support coastal farmers and youth in seaweed cultivation to advance economic opportunity and improve education and nutrition. Through skill camps and awareness campaigns about the nutritional and economic benefits of seaweed, Seaweed Sanstha supports young people in “becoming a new generation of seaweed farmers passionate about sustainable agriculture.” In upcoming months, Seaweed Sanstha plans to pilot youth centers in Gujrat and Kolkata, incubate seaweed tanks in states that mimic coastal weather, and foster dialogue among coastal communities, farmers, and aquaculture labs to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
E-Cycl India
Submitted by: Sahithi R.
Location: Hyderabad, Telangana | India
Project description: E-Cycl India is an environmental waste recycling and awareness initiative operating through student-led awareness sessions followed by collection and recycling drives. The project addresses the environmental and health hazards caused by environmental waste which affect sanitation workers and children. To date, E-Cycl India has recycled over 10,000 kilograms of e-waste, supported the lives of 50 sanitation workers, and plans to work towards public policy shifts surrounding child labor in the sanitation space.
Thermal Floater
Submitted by: Sparsh
Location: Patna, Bihar | India
Project description: The Thermal Floater is a renewable energy solution using solar thermal energy within a compact, floating platform, yielding high efficiency at low costs. The Thermal Floater platform “harnesses concentrated sunlight and is 3x more efficient than solar photovoltaic technology,” expanding access to accessible renewable energy in densely populated or land-scarce areas. In expanding upon the current prototype, the Thermal Floater team plans to improve the design to maximize energy output and partner with businesses and local governments for pilot tests to demonstrate efficiency and scalability.
Agricity
Submitted by: Suraj S.
Location: Delhi NCR | India
Project description: Agricity is a community-led solution addressing farmer indebtedness through a platform connecting farmers directly with consumers. Through leveraging blockchain technology, Agricity works to transform the agricultural supply chain through, “a farmer-centric model that increases the annual income of farmers and mitigates rural poverty.” Agricity plans to expand through partnerships with banks in upcoming years to create more transparent and efficient supply chains for agricultural communities.
Friends of Toto
Submitted by: Pragya S.
Location: Bahadurgarh, Haryana | India
Project description: Friends of Toto uses art and storytelling to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence and to provide support for survivors. Through the use of inclusive art methodologies including theatre, dance, music and visual art, Friends of Tot creates safe spaces for survivors to heal and practice grassroots advocacy. To date, Friends of Toto has trained 400+ students through legal literacy workshops and has supported over 300 survivors across India through queer affirmative sharing spaces and listening circles and plans to continue providing long-term psychosocial wellbeing support to survivors.
Sweet Solutions
Submitted by: Chandra P.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | India
Project description: Sweet Solutions promotes economic opportunities through repurposing sugarcane waste into biodegradable products including mobile covers, cup plates, and decorative items. Focused on Uttar Pradesh, “the sugar bowl of India,” Sweet Solutions aims to address the high release of carbon in the environment from the burning of sugarcane waste. In upcoming months, Sweet Solutions plans to create a pilot of a small scale rural business employing women entrepreneurs to recycle sugarcane waste into usable products.
Project Tejas
Submitted by: Megnath T.
Location: Nalgonda, Telangana | India
Project description: Project Tejas produces briquettes from agricultural waste for clean and efficient cooking fuel in rural India. The effects of “reliance on firewood, coal and kerosense for cooking purposes” in rural households include deforestation, carbon monoxide poisoning and a rise in indoor air pollution. Project Tejas works to improve air quality and health outcomes through creating a cottage industry producing briquettes for sustainable energy.