2021 Flourish Prize Videos

The 2021 Flourish Prizes were announced in May 2021. In October 2021, the Flourish Prizes were celebrated at the Fowler Center's virtual Fifth Global Forum for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. During the Global Forum 17 videos were released with guest presenters announcing each honoree followed by conversations with each Flourish Prize honoree team. You can view all of the videos on our YouTube channel.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #1: No Poverty is awarded to East Bali Cashews in Indonesia for the story written by Rovician Silitonga from IPMI International Business School under the direction of Amelia Naim Indrajaya. East Bali Cashews is grounded in social and environmental sustainability, and works to improve the lives of cashew growers and their communities. Megan Buchter talks with East Bali Cashews CEO, Chris Bailey, and IPMI International Business School professor Amelia Naim Indrajaya, and IPMI Graduate student Rovician Silitonga.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #2: Zero Hunger is awarded to SolFoil in Finland for the story written by Tat Lam, Jean-Philip Cronstedt, Ajda Stenovec, Karolina Jensen and Senni Muiniekka from Hanken School of Economics under the direction of Martin Fougere and Eva Nilsson. SolFoil’s high-tech solar technology is the first to heat the content of its product without the need for fire, chemicals, or electricity. The company aspires to transform the food value chain and raises standards for living globally. Megan Buchter talks with student author Karolina Jensen and SolFoil co-founder Nina Borger.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #3: Good Health and Well-being is awarded to Pacha Soap Co. in the United States for the story written by Hope Georgiou, Bryson Gardner, Julian Longmire, Ashley Hollis and Trevor Grinsell from Loyola Marymount University under the direction of Jeff Thies. Pacha Soap is an ethically-sourced soap brand that strives to spread goodness across the globe. Every purchase made at Pacha supports ethical sourcing, clean water initiatives, hygiene education, and small business opportunities worldwide. Megan Buchter talks with student author Hope Georgiou, professor Jeff Thies, and VP of Sourcing and Impact for Pacha Soap, Andy Thornton.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #4: Quality Education is awarded to Kaspersky in Russia for the story written by Matvey Petukhov, Anastasia Galkina, Vladislava Stepanenko, Yuliya Yurchak and Veronika Krasilnikova from National Research University Higher School of Economics under the direction of Ekaterina Ivanova. Kaspersky Academy makes cybersecurity knowledge and skills available for a vast range of people. Kaspersky is raising awareness on how critical cybersecurity knowledge is becoming in our constantly evolving world. Megan Buchter talks with professor Ekaterina Ivanova, the group of student authors, and Denis Barinov, the Head of Kaspersky Academy.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #5: Gender Equality is awarded to Evolvin’ Women in the United Arab Emirates for the story written by Zaina AlAboodi, Eman Alsharif, Seeneen Al Bastaki, Ward Albastaki and Hamda Hassan Abdulla from Zayed University under the direction of Wasseem Abaza. Evolvin' Women creates and manages initiatives in developing countries that enable companies to offer skill development placements to unemployed women from rural areas, where political, economic or social circumstances have prohibited or limited their access to job opportunities. Megan Buchter talks with professor Wasseem Abaza and his students Seeneen and Eman. We then hear from Assia Riccio, founder of Evolvin' Women.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #6: Clean Water and Sanitation is awarded to AeroNero in India for the story written by Amresh Jha and Ruby Hsiao from TIAS School for Business and Society under the direction of Mirjam Minderman. AeroNero creates machines that sustainably and affordably generate freshwater from moisture in the air. Megan Buchter talks with professor Mirjam Minderman, her students Amresh and Ruby, and Kumar Loganathan, the founder and CEO of AreoNero.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #7: Affordable and Clearn Energy is awarded to Greenfluidics in Mexico for the story written by Ana Sofia González, Fatima Lewis Batres and Manuel Medina from EGADE Business School Tecnologico de Monterrey under the direction of Ezequiel Reficco. Greenfluidics uses nanotechnology to generate clean energy that is transformed into electricity and microalgae to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to transform it into oxygen. Megan Buchter and AIM2Flourish Professor Ambassador, George Dionne talk with Adan Ramirez Sanches, the co-founder of Greenfluidics. This interview was conducted in Spanish.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth is awarded to Jaipur Rugs in India for the story written by Siddhi Maheshwari, Ayush Bhagoliwal, Sooraj Prabhakar, Chadarajupalli Leelavamsi, Gaurav Kumar, Abhishek Kaushik and Shubham Bisht from Goa Institute of Management under the direction of Divya Singhal. Jaipur Rugs combines the pursuit of profit with the spreading of kindness, with the aim of benefiting all the people sitting around its rugs. Megan Buchter talks with professor Divya Singhal, her students authors, and NK Chaudhary, the founder of Jaipur Rugs.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure is awarded to InnovaKit SAS in Colombia for the story written by Maria Barrera, Jeimmy Vanessa Valencia Bravo and Alejandro Ruiz from Universidad Externado de Colombia under the direction of Gustavo A Yepes Lopez. InnovaKit creates stronger networks for coffee farmers and develops new supply chains to increase sustainability and profitability. Megan Buchter and AIM2Flourish Professor Ambassador, George Dionne talk with professor Gustavo Yepes Lopez, his student authors Alejandro and Maria, and InnovaKit CEO Hugo Andres Lopez Fisco. This interview was conducted in Spanish.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #10: Reduced Inequalities is awarded to Dave -- Banking For Humans in the United States for the story written by Alicia Berger, Caleb Cremin-Endes, Chiara Armstrong, Cassidy Collins and Morgan Brooks from Loyola Marymount University under the direction of Jeff Thies. Dave is an alternative digital banking app that allows users to avoid incurring overdraft fees while eliminating the need to maintain account balances. Dave is combatting predatory fees for those who need an advance on an upcoming paycheck while also providing budgeting solutions and education. Megan Buchter talks with professor Jeff Thies, the student authors Alicia, Morgan, and Chiara, and Lauryn Nwankpa the Head of Social Impact for Dave.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities is awarded to Balance Farms in the United States for the story written by Lee Harms and Abigail Saxton from The University of Toledo under the direction of Gary Insch. Balance Farms is an 8,600-square-foot aquaponics farm in the heart of Downtown Toledo that provides produce to over 30 restaurants weekly. Megan Buchter talks with professor Gary Insch as well as Lee Harms and Abigail Saxton, the student authors, and is joined by Prakash Karamchandani and Dan Sadoski from Balance Farms.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production is awarded to Ditto Sustainable Brand Solutions in the United States for the story written by Lauren Hammett from Loyola University Chicago under the direction of Nancy Landrum. Ditto is a display and packaging company that provides companies worldwide with an alternative to traditional retail display products. Megan Buchter talks with professor Nancy Landrum, student Lauren Hammett, and Ditto founder Gary Barker.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #13: Climate Action is awarded to Lightyear in the Netherlands (Holland) for the story written by Marizel Vorster and Samar Morshedi from TIAS School for Business and Society under the direction of Mirjam Minderman. Lightyear One is the company’s first driving prototype: an innovative solar car with a focus on range and efficiency. Megan Buchter talks with professor Mirjam Minderman and students, Marizel Vorster and Samar Morshedi.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #14: Life Under Water is awarded to ORA Estuaries in the United States for the story written by Otto Candies, Bryan Taylor, Jenna Covington and Ivan Prejean from Nicholls State University under the direction of Christopher Castille. ORA Estuaries uses 3-D printing technology to construct concrete structures along the coast that help facilitate and empower coastal communities to rebuild historic oyster reefs that provide storm resilience, food security, and economic opportunity. Megan Buchter talks with professor Chris Castille as well as Otto Candies, the student author, and is joined by Tyler Ortego from ORA Estuaries.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #15: Life on Land is awarded to Bioamin in Mexico for the story written by Maria Fernanda Castorena Elizondo, Victor Campo Aguirre, Erick Ruben Calahorra Mejia, Adriana Aranda and Alan Castillo from EGADE Business School Tecnologico de Monterrey under the direction of Ezequiel Reficco. Bioamin is a biotechnology company that focuses on the research, development, and manufacturing of natural, biologically occurring compounds. Megan Buchter and AIM2Flourish Professor Ambassador, George Dionne talk with student author Adriana Aranda and Bioamin Marketing Manager Juan Sanchez. This interview was conducted in Spanish.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions is awarded to Defudger in Denmark for the story written by Mónica López Calero, Alejandro Gállego, José María Panadero Meseguer and Gabriela Castello from Universidad de Navarra under the direction of Isabel Rodriguez Tejedo. Defudger’s technology is the means to building more transparent, equitable systems that make use of more inclusive algorithms while supporting a more sustainable society. Megan Buchter talks with professor Isabel Tejedo and University of Navarra students as well as Dominik Kovacs, co-founder of Defudger.

The 2021 Flourish Prize for Global Goal #17: Partnerships for the Goals is awarded to Beeline in Russia for the story written by Evgeniia Pechnikova, Pavel Scheblykin, and Marianna Simonyan from National Research University Higher School of Economics under the direction of Ekaterina Ivanova. Beeline, a telecommunications company, invests significant resources into social development opportunities, including “Liza Alert,” a tool for prompt responses and civilian assistance in the search for missing people. Over the last decade, "LizaAlert" has helped to find more than 86,000 people alive. Megan Buchter talks with professor Ekaterina Ivanova and her students, as well as George Held and Evgeniya Chistova from Beeline.