Global Innovation Fund

Valid Nutrition is an ambitious social enterprise that is aiming to unleash a disruptive change in how the problem of malnutrition is addressed. We design, manufacture and market nutritional pastes for the prevention and treatment of malnutrition in developing countries. By regarding malnourished children as customers and by empowering mothers together with an innovative evidence based and business driven approach, we intend to be a catalyst for a sustainable solution.

Educate! provides a proven mix of a leadership and social entrepreneurship course, long-term mentoring, and an alumni program to empower high school students to start businesses and community initiatives. Today, Educate! works with 1,000 youth across Uganda and is developing a model that can applied across Africa.

No Lean Season reduces the negative effects of seasonality on the poorest in rural agricultural areas by enabling labor mobility that increases incomes. It is a new program that they are testing in Evidence Action Beta's portfolio, based on rigorous experimental evidence. They give a travel subsidy of $20 to very poor rural laborers so they can send a family member to a nearby city to find a job during the period between planting and harvesting. This is the time in rural areas when there are no jobs, no income, and when families miss meals. This seasonal poverty affects 600 million people around the world. With a temporary job during this 'lean season,' households are are able to put an additional meal on the table for every member of the family each and every day. That’s 500 additional meals during the lean season.

PoaPower is a renewable energy start-up founded in 2013 by two experienced entrepreneurs, focused on delivering clean and affordable electricity to off-grid, low-income consumers in Kenya. The company utilizes proprietary technology and operates a pay-as-you-go business model, which eliminates the need for large upfront fees and fixed monthly payments. By offering simple and affordable mobile money options, PoaPower enables communities to access clean energy, improving their quality of life and promoting sustainable practices. The company's commitment to developing and commercializing renewable energy innovations positions it as a significant player in the renewable energy sector in Kenya.

Young 1ove is a grassroots, youth-led, evidence-based movement based in Gaborone, Botswana. We identify, adapt and scale-up health and education programs proven to work, by young people for young people. Since 2014, we have reached over 50,000 young people in Southern Africa.

Newborn Foundation develops and leverages technologies, policies, and on-the-ground education and training programs that support the adoption and sustainability of life-saving interventions. We consistently achieve our strategic imperative to support the development and implementation of new technologies that can improve access and health outcomes for newborns, programmatically deliver these solutions to those who need them most, and integrate with population health initiatives to provide sustainable impact - so every newborn has the same opportunity to survive and thrive.

Development Media International (DMI) is a non-governmental organization focused on improving health outcomes in developing countries through mass media campaigns. It is recognized as a pioneer in demonstrating that mass media can effectively change life-saving behaviors. DMI designs, implements, and evaluates health campaigns that are aligned with national health strategies, employing scientific methods, storytelling, and saturation tactics to maximize reach. A notable achievement includes a five-year randomized controlled trial in West Africa, which resulted in a 35% increase in the number of children receiving treatment for malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia, and a 9.7% reduction in child mortality. DMI has been ranked among the most cost-effective non-profit organizations globally by GiveWell, highlighting its commitment to evidence-based initiatives that enhance health and save lives.

Simprints is a nonprofit technology company focused on enhancing global development efforts to combat poverty. It specializes in developing mobile biometric scanner software and identification tools that provide an affordable and secure fingerprint system suitable for challenging environments. This technology enables healthcare workers in remote regions to access patient records digitally, ensuring that essential health information is readily available. By increasing transparency and effectiveness in the distribution of vaccines and public resources, Simprints aims to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most, ultimately contributing to more efficient poverty alleviation efforts.