For the first time Taco Bell Foundation, in partnership with Ashoka, took its Ambition Accelerator Summit international, inviting, including a Taco Bell team member, inspiring 3-day event. The gathering was designed to accelerate the young innovators social impact ideas through active workshops, peer networking and for some the chance to win additional funding. The group even took a trip to the local Taco Bell together, to enjoy Taco Bell India’s signature menu items, like the Tikka Masala Burrito.
Just like the U.S. activation of Summit, five of the semi-finalists were selected to compete in a Pitch Competition in front of a panel of esteemed judges, including Samir Kumar Dalai (Senior Vice President, Operations Management, Taco Bell – Burman Hospitality), Saurabh Upadhyay (Head of Training, Taco Bell – Yum! Restaurants), Akash Singh (Ashoka Young Changemaker), Aditi Gera (Ashoka Young Changemaker), and Ajit Singh (Ashoka Fellow).
Daljeet Kaur, the grand prize winner, received an INR 10 Lakhs grant for their innovative social impact initiative, Pragati - aimed at enhancing educational opportunities to combat school dropout rates. The other four semi-finalist selected to compete included:
- Muktaa Free Mental Health Hotline by Dhriti Agarwal, Maharashtra – An endeavor that provides free mental health counseling and awareness in rural areas
- Polyfueler by Vineet Kumar, Bihar – A project aimed at converting plastic waste into eco-friendly fuel
- Project Ikshana by Nandini Agarwal, Maharashtra – An initiative offering affordable eye care with a focus on cataract treatment
- Project Tejas by Megnath B Trivedi, Telangana – An enterprise that produces briquettes from agricultural waste for clean cooking fuel
As one of Taco Bell’s emerging markets, the foundation was excited to bring programming to these communities and to help break down barriers for these young innovators.
Check out the full press release here: Taco Bell Foundation Unveils India’s Top Changemakers at Ambition Accelerator Summit; Awards Winner Daljeet Kaur with Grant Prize of INR 10 Lakhs
The Ambition Accelerator is powered in partnership with changemaking organization, Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, and funded by Yum! Brand’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative. See Terms & Conditions for complete program details.
The Taco Bell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. For more information visit www.tacobellfoundation.org