The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship announced the 2025 awardees at the Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland on January 21, 2025. This year, the awards celebrate 18 social entrepreneurs and innovators from 15 organizations spanning 13 countries. They are all driving systemic change worldwide.
The awardees are transforming healthcare and education, creating livelihoods for economically marginalized communities, and protecting nature, among other significant initiatives. The awards mark the beginning of a three-year journey to support these pioneers. They join a global community of nearly 500 champions dedicated to combating social inequalities and environmental challenges.
It is a great privilege to introduce the 2025 Schwab Foundation Awardees, a remarkable group of social entrepreneurs and innovators who embody integrity, humility, and positive values in their work,” said Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship and innovation are gaining global momentum, creating 200 million jobs and generating $2 trillion annually.
Schwab’s 2025 social entrepreneurship awardees
Despite their economic contributions, social enterprises face a significant $1.1 trillion funding gap. The Annual Meeting 2025 aims to highlight these entrepreneurs’ successful and innovative business models to advance these solutions at scale and reach more people worldwide. François Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, remarked, “Our world is grappling with instability, polarization, disenfranchisement, and extreme weather events.
The need for bold and innovative solutions has never been more pressing. The work of social entrepreneurs and innovators is not just important; it is essential.
The 2025 awardees include social entrepreneurs like Cecilia Corral, Co-Founder of CareMessage which provides healthcare communication for underserved populations, and Aline Sara, Co-Founder of NaTakallam which enables refugees to earn an income as language tutors and translators. Public social innovators were also recognized, such as Islam Alijaj, Founder of EnableMe, a Swiss association empowering people with disabilities.
Corporate social innovators awarded include Caitlyn Chen, Vice-President at Tencent, driving the company’s mission of “Tech for Good.
For 27 years, the Schwab Foundation has been at the forefront of uniting leading social entrepreneurs and innovators. This year’s awardees join an existing community whose collective work has improved millions of lives since 1998. The innovative models they employ revolutionize societal practices and demonstrate that economic value creation can coexist with significant social and environmental progress.