Social Impact Awards by Social Impact Hub Hyderabad launched in Partnership with Bala Viaksa
Social entrepreneurs, student innovators, incubators, and other global ecosystem enablers gathered at the launch of the Social Impact Awards (SIA) India 2024 in Hyderabad at the Bala Vikasa Center for Social and Responsible Business Campus. The Impact Hub Hyderabad's flagship event being organised in partnership with Bala Vikasa offers young entrepreneurs the chance to be incubated under the guidance of global industry experts and access global networking opportunities.
The Impact Hub Social Impact Awards is an initiative aimed at nurturing social entrepreneurship among youth. Supported by global entities like SAP SE, Vienna University of Economics and Business, and ERSTE Stiftung, SIA offers a three-month program for young, early-stage social entrepreneurs. Participants gain access to a global network and receive incubation support from international experts.
During the incubation, select startups will be supported to develop a prototype and create a pitch video for global community voting. They will receive funding, publicity and network access to the Impact Hub network. Most voted venture wins the community award and the winner would join the SIA Summit in Germany.
Addressing with the gathering during his keynote address on ‘Bridging Gaps for Global Reach: Empowering Indian Social Venture through Impact Hub,’ Shanawaz Sheik, Director for Sustainability at FlexAuto, Germany said aspiring entrepreneurs should always look out for something that drives them and keeps them moving forward despite the challenges. “To make a difference in a complex society like ours, it is crucial that we are self-motivated and self-driven. It is our passion and our connections that keeps us going on in this roller coaster of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs should constantly be connected not just with the ecosystem but also with the communities to truly achieve what they dream,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Shoury Reddy, Executive Director of Bala Vikasa said, initiatives like the Social Impact Awards paves way to strengthen the ecosystem and also encourages the younger generation to take up social entrepreneurship. “This partnership with Impact Hub Hyderabad is our attempt to connect local social entrepreneurs to the global industry experts. This would give them a broader perspective, approach social entrepreneurship with innovative ideas and also scale their businesses. We are looking forward to fostering many such collaborations and contributing to creating a sustainable social impact,” Shoury Reddy said.
International delegates Marta Kanarkiewicz, SIA Global Network Manager and Kristina Fousova, International Network Coordinator and others joined the event virtually to give a brief on the SIA Global Network.
Dr.Nagaraja Sallagundala, Co-founder and CEO of Impact Hub Hyderabad, Vijay Madduri, Chariman, Impact Hub Hyderabad, Dileep Kumar- Director, Innovation and Strategy of Impact Hub Hyderabad, Shoury Reddy Singareddy, Rahul Bhardwaj, Senior Director, Bala Vikasa Center for Social and Responsible Business will also be participating in the event.
