{"id":45207,"date":"2022-05-19T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=45207"},"modified":"2022-05-19T12:01:26","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T19:01:26","slug":"uplink-innovators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/uplink-innovators\/","title":{"rendered":"Entrepreneurial Alchemy: Local Innovators Tackle Global Challenges With Technology, Collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em><em>Editor&#8217;s Note: This article originally published in March 2021 and was updated in May 2022 to reflect the latest.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a beach in Kerala, India, Alexei Levene and William Janssen sat cross-legged in the sand, with a new type of solar panel in their hands \u2014 trying to work out how to solve one of the world&#8217;s most pressing challenges \u2014 using just sun and seawater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not far from their seat, local villagers lacked access to clean drinking water. More than 2 billion people, around the world in fact, were wrestling with the same problem, but Janssen and Levene had prototyped a new solution and were determined they could make an impact. However as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/blog\/tips-from-ecopreneurs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ecopreneurs<\/a>, the odds were stacked against them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere is far too little support and investment at the early stages for the systems needed for a green industrial revolution.&nbsp;You have to really fight for every win until you\u2019re fully productized \u2014 and getting to that point is the big challenge,\u201d Levene says today, reflecting on the obstacles they have faced in the five years since then. Today their company <a href=\"https:\/\/www.desolenator.com\/\">Desolenator<\/a> is 22-people-strong and is about to launch two flagship projects for sustainable, solar-powered water purification.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span class=\"js-twitter-inline\">You have to really fight for every win until you\u2019re fully productized \u2014 and getting to that point is the big challenge.<\/span><\/p><cite>Alexei Levene, Founder, Desolenator<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" alt=\"Lauren, Project Manager for Desolenator installation with the Dubai Energy and Water Authority\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-45218\" data-id=\"45218\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pm.jpg?w=512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pm.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pm.jpg?w=300&amp;h=225 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pm.jpg?w=264&amp;h=198 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pm.jpg?w=487&amp;h=365 487w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pm.jpg?w=150&amp;h=113 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pm.jpg?w=257&amp;h=193 257w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"Desolenator's patented Multi-Effect Distillation vessel, in which the feedwater (e.g. seawater) is distilled\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-45219\" data-id=\"45219\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg?w=1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg?w=300&amp;h=225 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg?w=768&amp;h=576 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg?w=264&amp;h=198 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg?w=487&amp;h=365 487w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg?w=678&amp;h=509 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg?w=150&amp;h=113 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-desolenator-vessel.jpg?w=257&amp;h=193 257w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality, to Levene\u2019s point, most entrepreneurial pursuits fail. Even after someone musters the rare combination of tenacity, resilience, and drive to pursue success in the face of adversity, it can feel impossible to land on an idea, let alone take action. They need help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt took us time, and we finally found our perfect first investor. But many companies are not so fortunate,\u201d Levene added.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"wp-block-image__modal-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-modal-id=\"45217-modal\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Open Image Modal<\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"725\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=1024\" alt=\"[L-R] Desolenator Founder, Alexei Levene with Co-Founder, William Janssen\" class=\"wp-image-45217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=300&amp;h=212 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=768&amp;h=544 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=1024&amp;h=725 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=1536&amp;h=1088 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=264&amp;h=187 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=500&amp;h=354 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=678&amp;h=480 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=150&amp;h=106 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=273&amp;h=193 273w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=1218&amp;h=862 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>[L-R] Desolenator Founder, Alexei Levene with Co-Founder, William Janssen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div id=\"45217-modal\" class=\"image-modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"image-dialog-title\"><div class=\"image-modal__overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-a11y-dialog-hide><\/div><div class=\"image-modal__content\" role=\"dialog\"><button class=\"image-modal__close-button\" type=\"button\" data-a11y-dialog-hide aria-label=\"Close this image dialog window\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 25\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><rect x=\".626\" y=\"22.753\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(-45 .626 22.753)\"\/><rect x=\"2.747\" y=\".125\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(45 2.747 .125)\"\/><\/svg><\/button><h1 id=\"image-dialog-title\" class=\"screen-reader-text\">Image Modal<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1133\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=1024\" alt=\"[L-R] Desolenator Founder, Alexei Levene with Co-Founder, William Janssen\" class=\"wp-image-45217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=300&amp;h=212 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=768&amp;h=544 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=1024&amp;h=725 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=1536&amp;h=1088 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=264&amp;h=187 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=500&amp;h=354 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=678&amp;h=480 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=150&amp;h=106 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=273&amp;h=193 273w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-alexei.png?w=1218&amp;h=862 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption><em>[L-R] Desolenator Founder, Alexei Levene with Co-Founder, William Janssen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When most entrepreneurs finally pursue an idea, they often gravitate to the places and people in their networks that can provide resources, which ultimately tie them to corporate or profit-driven goals. As a result, humanitarian entrepreneurs have historically struggled to fuel and fund their innovation even as the pandemic, climate change, and growing inequality have increased the need for their projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, companies like Salesforce that actively search for human-impact projects to fund as part of their philanthropic and sustainability efforts, have trouble finding entrepreneurs who align to their goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Suzanne DiBianca, Chief Impact Officer at Salesforce, explained, \u201cEcopreneurs are launching innovative ideas to protect the planet and drive climate impact locally and at scale,\u201d DiBianca said. \u201cBusiness leaders need to invest in and empower them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was precisely this that inspired the World Economic Forum (WEF), Deloitte, and Salesforce to collaborate on a solution. The result was UpLink: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/uplink-a-digital-platform-to-help-meet-sustainable-development-goals-to-arrive-following-collaboration-from-wef-salesforce-and-partners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a digital platform that connects local innovators with the people and resources that can transform their ideas into reality.<\/a> Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the platform helps entrepreneurs and environmentally-minded \u201cecopreneurs\u201d surface ideas to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality, and protect the planet by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The result has been nothing short of entrepreneurial alchemy.<\/strong> In its first two years alone, UpLink has helped nearly 30,000 innovators connect, collaborate, and focus their combined energy on helping address challenges faced by impoverished and disparaged communities around the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>John Dutton, now Head of UpLink at the World Economic Forum, shared a genuine sense of excitement for the platform\u2019s progress. On a call with 10 of UpLink\u2019s innovators, Dutton greeted each person by their first name with a warm sense of familiarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe [World Economic] Forum has a long tradition of seeking insights and world-renowned innovations from across the globe,\u201d Dutton later said. \u201cWith UpLink, we\u2019re looking to continue along this trajectory and go beyond the traditional ecosystems of leaders by democratizing the search for innovative solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span class=\"js-twitter-inline\">With UpLink, we\u2019re looking to continue along this trajectory and go beyond the traditional ecosystems of leaders by democratizing the search for innovative solutions.<\/span><\/p><cite>John Dutton, Head of UpLink, World Economic Forum<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>UpLink, in this sense, is a free platform and community where people from all backgrounds can engage the leaders and entrepreneurs who are identifying and solving problems locally, everywhere from Anchorage to Zimbabwe. DiBianca acknowledges the platform\u2019s potential with a similar sense of excitement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe want to enable, inspire, and empower younger generations and a much wider audience that feels a whole level of ownership over the problem, and equip people with the tools to solve those problems \u2014 that\u2019s powerful,\u201d DiBianca added.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span class=\"js-twitter-inline\">We want to enable, inspire, and empower younger generations and a much wider audience that feels a whole level of ownership over the problem, and equip people with the tools to solve those problems \u2014 that\u2019s powerful.<\/span><\/p><cite>SUzanne DiBianca, Chief Impact Officer, Salesforce<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-uplink-in-action\">UpLink in action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Diego Saez-Gil, faced similar challenges to Levene with his project. Saez-Gil\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/uplink.weforum.org\/uplink\/s\/uplink-contribution\/a012o00001OS6ovAAD\/detail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pachama<\/a> leverages data, artificial intelligence, and automation to protect ecosystems, restore forests, and improve carbon markets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"wp-block-image__modal-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-modal-id=\"45216-modal\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Open Image Modal<\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"535\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Forest LiDAR+AI analysis: carbon concentration and tree count by Pachama\" class=\"wp-image-45216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=300&amp;h=157 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=768&amp;h=401 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=535 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=264&amp;h=138 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=500&amp;h=261 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=678&amp;h=354 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=150&amp;h=78 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=369&amp;h=193 369w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>Forest LiDAR+AI analysis: carbon concentration and tree count by Pachama<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div id=\"45216-modal\" class=\"image-modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"image-dialog-title\"><div class=\"image-modal__overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-a11y-dialog-hide><\/div><div class=\"image-modal__content\" role=\"dialog\"><button class=\"image-modal__close-button\" type=\"button\" data-a11y-dialog-hide aria-label=\"Close this image dialog window\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 25\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><rect x=\".626\" y=\"22.753\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(-45 .626 22.753)\"\/><rect x=\"2.747\" y=\".125\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(45 2.747 .125)\"\/><\/svg><\/button><h1 id=\"image-dialog-title\" class=\"screen-reader-text\">Image Modal<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Forest LiDAR+AI analysis: carbon concentration and tree count by Pachama\" class=\"wp-image-45216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=300&amp;h=157 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=768&amp;h=401 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=535 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=264&amp;h=138 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=500&amp;h=261 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=678&amp;h=354 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=150&amp;h=78 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-trees.jpg?w=369&amp;h=193 369w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption><em>Forest LiDAR+AI analysis: carbon concentration and tree count by Pachama<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cUpLink has been especially helpful in raising awareness about our company. We were able to connect with corporate partners, investors and press, and that was super helpful,\u201d Saez-Gil said, adding that he, \u201calso connected with peer entrepreneurs, and that is key to sharing knowledge on how to lead teams, manage your mind and all the other challenges that entrepreneurs face.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to connections made via UpLink, Pachama recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/sustainable-business\/carbon-credit-platform-pachama-raises-55-mln-latest-funding-round-2022-05-05\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">completed its series B funding round<\/a>, raising $55 million dollars and gaining new investors, including talk-show host Ellen Degeneres.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"more-from-block more-from-block--2 alignfull wp-block-newsroom-moreontopic\">\n\t<div class=\"more-from-block__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"more-from-block__title\">Related<\/h4>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"more-from-block__cards 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loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=768&amp;h=432 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=1024&amp;h=576 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=264&amp;h=149 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=500&amp;h=281 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=678&amp;h=381 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=150&amp;h=84 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=314&amp;h=177 314w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/Lockheed-Martin-PGE-Corporation-Salesforce-and-Wells-Fargo-Launch-EMBERPOINTTM-to-Transform-Americas-Wildfire-Prevention-and-Detection-and-Response.png?w=343&amp;h=193 343w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content-card__content-container content-card__content-container--style-\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 itemprop=\"headline\" class=\"content-card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/linked-content\/lockheed-martin-pge-corporation-salesforce-and-wells-fargo-launch-emberpoint-to-transform-americas-wildfire-prevention-detection-and-response\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"content-card__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLockheed Martin, PG&#038;E Corporation, Salesforce and Wells Fargo Launch EMBERPOINT\u2122 to Transform America&#8217;s Wildfire Prevention, Detection and Response\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article\t\t\titemscope=\"\"\n\t\titemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Article\"\n\t\tdata-card-id=\"90878\"\n\t\tclass=\"content-card content-card--large-inline is-entire-area-clickable content-card--is-boxed\"\n\t\t\tdata-clickable-area-link=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/nature-based-actions-cop30\/\"\n\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content-card__image-container\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t<img width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=1024\" class=\"content-card__image\" alt=\"Tropical fish swimming in the ocean.\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=768&amp;h=432 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=1024&amp;h=576 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=264&amp;h=149 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=500&amp;h=281 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=678&amp;h=381 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=150&amp;h=84 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=314&amp;h=177 314w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/Salesforce-Accelerates-Action-with-Nature-Restoration-Water-Resilience-and-AI-Sustainability-Efforts-3.png?w=343&amp;h=193 343w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content-card__content-container content-card__content-container--style-\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 itemprop=\"headline\" class=\"content-card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/nature-based-actions-cop30\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"content-card__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSalesforce Scales Water, Forest, and Ocean Initiatives to Build Resilience for Communities Across Latin America\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div itemprop=\"readTime\" class=\"content-card__read-time\">\n\t\t\t\t3 min read\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<noscript>\n<div class=\"pagination-fallback\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45207\/page\/2\/?bc=OTH#section-title\">\n\t\t\tOlder Posts\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/noscript>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p>With UpLink, Saez-Gil and his team can start with an idea, and then recruit collaborators from around the world through the UpLink platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"wp-block-image__modal-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-modal-id=\"45215-modal\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Open Image Modal<\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=512\" alt=\"Diego Saez-Gil, Founder of Pachama, poses against a tree\" class=\"wp-image-45215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=300&amp;h=198 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=264&amp;h=174 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=500&amp;h=330 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=150&amp;h=99 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=292&amp;h=193 292w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>Diego Saez-Gil, Founder, Pachama<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div id=\"45215-modal\" class=\"image-modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"image-dialog-title\"><div class=\"image-modal__overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-a11y-dialog-hide><\/div><div class=\"image-modal__content\" role=\"dialog\"><button class=\"image-modal__close-button\" type=\"button\" data-a11y-dialog-hide aria-label=\"Close this image dialog window\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 25\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><rect x=\".626\" y=\"22.753\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(-45 .626 22.753)\"\/><rect x=\"2.747\" y=\".125\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(45 2.747 .125)\"\/><\/svg><\/button><h1 id=\"image-dialog-title\" class=\"screen-reader-text\">Image Modal<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=512\" alt=\"Diego Saez-Gil, Founder of Pachama, poses against a tree\" class=\"wp-image-45215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=300&amp;h=198 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=264&amp;h=174 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=500&amp;h=330 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=150&amp;h=99 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/03\/uplink-pachama-diego.jpg?w=292&amp;h=193 292w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><figcaption><em>Diego Saez-Gil, Founder, Pachama<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>But the connections and community are just the beginning. With partners like Salesforce, the UpLink innovators can also get access to tools tailored to their needs across industry-specific clouds, CRM software, and even cutting-edge technology like machine learning and AI translation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-building-the-platform-for-change\">Building the platform for change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While UpLink benefits individual entrepreneurs most directly, Salesforce also sees it as a shining example of how business can act as a platform for change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s because UpLink can activate the full power of a company\u2019s ecosystem to support initiatives ranging from specific software and tools to the connections and resources available through a company\u2019s network of partners and customers. For the recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/one-trillion-trees-to-combat-climate-change-why-its-not-so-outlandish\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trillion Trees Initiative<\/a>, Salesforce tapped into its network of employees, partners, and customers to address a specific challenge surfaced through UpLink: planting 100 million trees over the next decade. In partnership with 1t.org, Salesforce has already conserved, restored and grown <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/10-million-trees-milestone-update\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">42 million trees<\/a><strong> <\/strong>in just over two years, partly in thanks to the connections fostered by UpLink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High-level initiatives like these typically come from the top-down, with NGO and government leadership subsequently helping local business leaders tackle local challenges. Progress under this approach can be slow, but by equipping local businesses with connections, community, and technology, UpLink can accelerate change from the ground up while those high-level policy efforts take time to gain momentum.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe must ignite an ecopreneur revolution. It\u2019s not just creating tech companies, but creating companies that are a platform for change,\u201d Salesforce Chair and Co-CEO Marc Benioff explained <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2022\/02\/uplink-two-years-of-innovation-sustainability-and-impact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">during a recent WEF event<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span class=\"js-twitter-inline\">We must ignite an ecopreneur revolution. It\u2019s not just creating tech companies, but creating companies that are a platform for change.<\/span><\/p><cite>Marc Benioff, Salesforce Chair and Co-CEO<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When describing the potential of the UpLink platform, DiBianca perked up in her chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cImagine what we can accomplish by unleashing armies of passionate minds to solve issues and make a difference,\u201c she said, adding, \u201cit\u2019s not just the momentum but the quality of the engagements, too. It opens the door for the next chapter of UpLink\u2019s growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, echoes this sentiment. \u201cHow can we engage the entrepreneurial force \u2014 not only of large enterprises, of new startups, of young people?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"newsletter newsletter--default newsletter--no-js\">\n\t<header class=\"newsletter__header\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"newsletter__title\">\n\t\t\tInsight, Opinion, News, and Data\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t<p class=\"newsletter__subtitle\">\n\t\t\tSign up for Salesforce News &amp; Insights, direct to your inbox.\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/cloud.mail.salesforce.com\/newsroomsignup\"\n\t\tclass=\"newsletter__iframe\"\n\t\ttitle=\"Insight, Opinion, News, and Data\"\n\t>\n\t<\/iframe>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>For Dutton and his team, UpLink\u2019s massive first few years is just a small glimpse into a big future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want to see everything grow by a factor of ten. At least,\u201d Dutton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The World Economic Forum, Salesforce, Deloitte, and thousands of UpLink users understand the power and potential of the platform: world-changing innovations that can come from anywhere and anyone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though pursuing sustainable environmental solutions is essential, Salesforce recognizes UpLink can cater to the needs of entrepreneurs in many ways. Salesforce is sponsoring UpLink\u2019s newest campaign of the <a href=\"https:\/\/uplink.weforum.org\/uplink\/s\/uplink-issue\/a002o0000136WJnAAM\/youth-mental-health-challenge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Youth Mental Health Challenge<\/a>, to help find innovative solutions that reduce the stigma around mental health and enable young people to address their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So whether it\u2019s a garden in South India, or a forest in Argentina, UpLink can connect local entrepreneurs with a global network of collaborators ready to lend a hand along with the technology to enable their ideas. And when the power of technology helps people work together, some might find that the weight of the world is a little easier to carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vidyard wp-block-embed-vidyard\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" async src=\"https:\/\/play.vidyard.com\/embed\/v4.js\"><\/script><img decoding=\"async\"  style=\"width: 100%; margin: auto; display: block;\"  class=\"vidyard-player-embed\"  src=\"https:\/\/play.vidyard.com\/PTMjZCDLfSf41C1yZkZVgR.jpg\"  data-uuid=\"PTMjZCDLfSf41C1yZkZVgR\"  data-v=\"4\"  data-type=\"inline\"  data-width=\"500\"  data-height=\"187\"\/>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Interested in getting involved with UpLink? <a href=\"https:\/\/uplink.weforum.org\/uplink\/s\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sign up for UpLink here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>One trillion trees is off to a good start, and it\u2019s easy to get involved. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/one-trillion-trees-to-combat-climate-change-why-its-not-so-outlandish\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read more about the initiative here<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/trees.salesforce.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">donate a tree as a company, team, or individual here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Learn tips from UpLink Innovators <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/blog\/tips-from-ecopreneurs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editor&#8217;s Note: This article originally published in March 2021 and was updated in May 2022 to reflect the latest. On a beach in Kerala, India, Alexei Levene and William Janssen sat cross-legged in the sand, with a new type of solar panel in their hands \u2014 trying to work out how to solve one of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":115,"featured_media":56501,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sf_subhead":"","sf_i18n_disclaimer":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"alternateThumbnailId":0,"sf_product_cta_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"sf_content_type":[1730],"sf_theme":[1914],"sf_topic":[1733,1785],"sf_product":[],"sf_industry":[],"sf_role":[],"sf_multimedia_asset":[],"sf_location":[],"sf_collection":[2424],"sf_visibility":[],"coauthors":[1951],"class_list":["post-45207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","sf_content_type-feature-stories","sf_theme-business-as-a-platform-for-change","sf_topic-stakeholder-capitalism","sf_topic-sustainability","sf_collection-davos-22-stories"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Entrepreneurial Alchemy: Local Innovators Tackle Global Challenges With Technology, Collaboration - Salesforce<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Editor&#039;s Note: This article originally published in March 2021 and was updated in May 2022 to reflect the latest. On a beach in Kerala, India, Alexei\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/uplink-innovators\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Entrepreneurial Alchemy: Local Innovators Tackle Global Challenges With Technology, Collaboration\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Editor&#039;s Note: This article originally published in March 2021 and was updated in May 2022 to reflect the latest. 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