Seeding Labs is a Massachusetts nonprofit working to transform the map of scientific innovation by addressing the critical lack of startup capital for scientists in developing countries. By repurposing surplus laboratory equipment from local research institutions and providing it to researchers abroad, the organization reduces waste at home, ensures that talented scientists abroad can address critical health and environmental problems facing their communities, and bridges the scientific communities across international borders.

East Africa is one of the most food-insecure regions in the world. In Kenya, most people live in areas prone to food shortages, and an estimated 40% of the population is undernourished. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, UjuziKilimo is an agriculture social enterprise that uses big data and analytic capabilities to transform farmers into a knowledge-based community, with the goal of improving productivity through precision insights.

Hand Over is an award-winning social enterprise that utilizes sustainable construction methods to promote community development in Egypt. Hand Over tackles climate change by using local earthen materials as building components while striving to empower underprivileged communities through environmentally-friendly techniques. Hand Over also empowers and trains architecture and civil engineering students and connects them with their local communities so they can work jointly on the design and implementation of new buildings.

Farming Hope is a social enterprise that employs and empowers individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area out of homelessness. Conceived out of Stanford University’s FEED Design School Incubator in June 2016, Farming Hope hires people trying to get off the streets and out of shelters, to work in urban gardens and pop up restaurants. This creates a sense of being needed in the community again, as well as income, a supportive team, and job skills.

Social Entrepreneurs attend Lex Mundi Annual Conference in Berlin.

One of the social challenges of our time is the migration crisis, particularly in Europe. Germany took in more than 1 million refugees last year, primarily from Syria and Iraq, and this influx creates significant demands on the German infrastructure as well as raises questions and challenges around culture and integration.