Collective Liberty wins first-place cash prize of $20,000 and professional services to support technology focused on eradicating human trafficking
(CHICAGO, November 15, 2019) – Today, Independent Sector announces the winners of the 2019 Innovate for Good Challenge including Collective Liberty, who won first-place cash prize of $20,000 and professional services to support technology to eradicate human trafficking.
Collective Liberty, which was awarded their prize during Upswell Chicago on November 14, is working to eradicate human trafficking by rapidly scaling data-driven best practices supported through sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Their technology will support bespoke, regionally tailored training institutes, facilitate data sharing, and develop solutions to streamline adoption of best practices across industries, agencies, and sectors. As the first-place winner, Collective Liberty received a $20,000 cash prize and professional services from Accenture applied over the next year to help support their solution.
In its second year, the Innovate for Good Challenge invites mission-driven organizations to submit for consideration novel solutions that leverage new technology to catalyze social change. The challenge is generously supported by IS, lead sponsor Accenture, and exclusive media partner The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Prizes ranged from Upswell fellowships, cash prizes, and/or professional services aimed at scaling and accelerating inspirational ideas that use artificial intelligence, blockchain, and/or extended reality. This year, the challenge selected 17 semifinalist organizations from the contestant pool. Further, Independent Sector awarded 12 finalist organizations with a fellowship for Upswell Chicago to showcase their solutions.
Second-place winner QUIPU offers an online means of exchange for previously unbanked and offline populations. Supported by blockchain technology, Quipu works as a digital marketplace platform for micro-merchants to build credit and brings informal economies online at the touch of smartphone. Their award was a $5,000 cash prize.
Third place winner Urban Institute is tapping into the power of AI and satellite imagery. Their aim is to create more accurate building height and footprint data for cities across the U.S. and unlock the key to affordable housing reform and accurate regional planning. They were awarded a $1,000 cash prize.
“Upswell brings people together not only to collaborate, but also to celebrate organizations that are constantly innovating to create positive change,” said Daniel J. Cardinali, president and CEO of Independent Sector. “The second year of this challenges affirms a vibrant community of changemakers accelerating social good with cutting-edge, new technology. We are honored to showcase these organizations and grateful for their contributions toward advancing a world where all people can thrive.”
“We’re pleased to honor the social impact innovations the Innovate for Good contestants showcased, demonstrating how new technologies can help disadvantaged communities,” said Amit Patel, managing director of Accenture’s nonprofit practice. “The Accenture team is eager to support the winning organization, Collective Liberty, in boosting their mission by scaling data-driven practices.”
Three organizations also received honorable mentions: Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas, which is exploring the use of AI and automation to revolutionize the donation cycle, while diverting goods from landfills and training job seekers for the future state of work; Love Beyond Walls, which is building empathy and changing the false narratives on homelessness by sharing stories through extended reality experiences in a uniquely portable Dignity Museum; and Solve Education!, which is applying education technology, such as gamification and artificial intelligence, to achieve quality education for children and youth around the world.
Learn more about the Innovate for Good Challenge.
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Independent Sector is the only national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers, nonprofits, foundations, and corporations working to ensure all people in the United States thrive. Learn more at independentsector.org.
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functions — underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network — Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 492,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
