Innovative Use of Bikes, Phones, and Video Games to Benefit Humanity

The 2013 Tech Laureates have just been announced and it is an amazing and diverse roster of individuals and groups being recognized for using technology to benefit humanity. Each of the ten Laureates, who will be honored at the Tech Awards in Silicon Valley in November, has creatively addressed a critical, global issue in a unique way.

Like Kilimo Salama as it offers crop insurance to farmers in rural Kenya through the use of mobile phone or Brilliance which is fighting jaundice by shining a simple, affordable blue light onto a newborn’s skin for a few days – leading to decreased child mortality in underdeveloped countries.

Play Addition Man, a video game created by a student participating in Globaloria, a social learning network, where young people develop digital literacies, STEM knowledge and global citizenship skills through game design. 

Follow Wecyclers as it uses a fleet of low-cost cargo bicycles to offer convenient household recycling service in densely populated low-income neighborhoods in Lagos, Nigeria while encouraging waste reduction through a SMS-based incentive program.

Learn how Enova located in Chicago’s financial district is working to close the world’s credit gap by offering flexible, online financial products to 2,000,000 underserved consumers in five countries. 

As announced earlier this year, inventor and entrepreneur, Dean Kamen will also be honored along with this year’s laureates. 

The Tech Awards, presented by Applied Materials, and benefiting the Tech Museum highlights social entrepreneurs who are tackling some the world’s most pressing problems through technology.  For a full list and additional information, please see the Tech Awards website.  You won’t be disappointed!

They are all amazing in their own unique way, but let us know your favorite.