Impact Portfolio
Impact: the art of transforming
radical ideas into action.
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Nuclear Threats Innovation
Our Motivation
Reduce the danger posed by nuclear weapons.
Our Action
PopTech is creating dynamic partnerships to explore nuclear risk and deterrence through the lens of human and cognition.
Our Impact
In partnership with Northwestern University, Nuclear Threat Initiative, Duke University, N Square Collaborative, and the Rhode Island School of Design, we are conducting research to gain a deeper understanding of how breakthroughs in behavioral science can help shape the next generation of nuclear deterrence policy and practice. This work is supported in partnership by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Future of Food
Our Motivation
Can the planet support the nutritional needs of a growing population in the context of climate change? At what cost can this be accomplished?
Our Action
PopTech convened stakeholders from Big Agriculture, Agriculture Tech, the culinary art, as well as community activists to explore how dynamic intersectional partnerships might address global food insecurity.
Our Impact
We create a network of organizations capable of leveraging expertise to guide research and investment in food infrastructure. This work was initiated through a partnership with the Rhode Island School of Design, Danforth Science Center, Joyn Bio, New Leaf Symbiotics, and Land O’Lakes.
Climate Resilience Lab: Gender and Climate
Our Motivation
Gain a deeper understanding of how climate change disproportionately impacts women and girls.
Our Action
In partnership with the Nike and Rockefeller Foundations, we hosted a multi-day, immersive convening in three regions of Kenya impacted by protracted drought. In this setting, we exposed participants to the day-to-day impacts of climate change through the lens of gender. As part of the experience, we partnered with the Red Crescent to create the Climate and Gender Game to help small shareholder farmers understand crop insurance.
Our Impact
The work of the Climate Resilience Lab was recognized by the World Bank and shared with a number of advocacy organizations.
EcoMaterial Lab
Our Motivation
Can a sustainable eco-material replace resource-heavy fibers such as cotton?
Our Action
PopTech was retained by the Nike Innovation team to help research these questions and to create a small network of scientists and eco-material experts willing to engage in the topic. In partnership, we assembled 30 diverse scientists, fiber experts, and designers at the Wyss Institute of Harvard University. The outcomes of our collaborative work were presented in a comprehensive report and at the annual PopTech forum.
Our Impact
The co-created network went on to work with the Nike Innovation team as part of its commitment to producing sustainable elements within its supply chain.
Toward the Better Banked Salon
Our Motivation
Provide access to financial services in underserved communities.
Our Action
In collaboration with American Express and the Innovations for Poverty Action at Yale University, PopTech hosted a multi-sector salon exploring the ramifications of poor access to affordable banking and financial services in communities nationwide.
Our Impact
The conversations across two days helped inform participants on both sides of the equation—large banks and financial service institutions—as well as advocates for the under-banked and poverty alleviation experts. Several participants went on to present their work at the annual PopTech forum, creating a more widespread conversation on the topic of financial exclusion and inequity.
The Changing World of Work
Our Motivation
How will changing workplace culture and setting impact human creativity and productivity?
Our Action
PopTech and the Microsoft Envisioning team partnered to create a multi-year body of research focused on future trends in the workplace and their impact on the workforce.
Our Impact
PopTech and Microsoft collaboratively produced The Changing World of Work, an 8-part video series exploring multiple aspects of the future of work.
Social Innovation & Science Fellows Programs
Our Motivation
Highlight and accelerate the work of the next wave of global change-makers.
Our Action
Each year, PopTech identifies and convenes an eclectic group of around 20 social innovators and scientists in a boot camp focused on communications, leadership, scale, and network-building. The program takes place in rural Maine. All Fellows present at the annual PopTech conference.
Our Impact
Over the last decade, PopTech has established a 200-member contributory alum network of global talent working in 105 countries, impacting over 1 billion lives globally. Fellow affiliation with PopTech is exceptionally beneficial, resulting in the successful launch of new initiatives, access to innovative sources of financing, board appointments, and the establishment of vibrant peer-to-peer networks. This work is supported through the PopTech Fund for Social Good.
Project Masiluleke
Our Motivation
Fighting social stigma related to HIV/AIDS testing and treatment in South Africa, where the loss of life to AIDS was one of the highest in the world.
Our Action
In partnership with a diverse set of global partners, PopTech incubated one of the first at-scale mobile health initiatives to fight HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Using a unique SMS messaging vehicle, Please Call Me, the project sent over a billion interactive text messages across South Africa in six languages, created a prototype HIV self-test kit, and connected individuals to testing and treatment.
Our Impact
Please Call Me messages sent by Project Masiluleke increased calls to the South African National AIDS Hotline by 400%, connecting individuals to testing and treatment services. Prototyping of the self-HIV test kit paved the way for anonymous self-testing. The project was reported on by global news outlets, including the BBC. The United Nations Foundation also recognized our approach to leveraging technology to address a public health crisis. The SMS strategy was later replicated for malaria awareness and prevention. The partnership around Project Masiluleke was unique and included PopTech, the Praekelt Foundation, frog Design, iTeach South Africa, MTN South Africa and Nokia.
PeaceTXT
Our Motivation
Can SMS messaging be used as a tool to prevent violence?
Our Action
PopTech convened a global partnership to design and deploy an interactive SMS platform aimed at preventing political/election violence during Kenya’s 2012-2013 presidential elections by sending out factual information and dispelling rumors focused on perpetrating election violence.
Our Impact
User feedback demonstrated the project provided a trusted channel for decreasing election-related violence. The positive impact of PeaceTXT was independently verified by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, demonstrating the persuasive power of text messaging for positive change. Global expertise in violence prevention, crowd mapping, and SMS platform development were captured in a partnership led by PopTech and supported by Sisi Ni Amani, Ushahidi, Praekelt Foundation, Cure Violence, Medic Mobile, and Safaricom. PeaceTXT was funded by the Rita Allen Foundation.
Accelerating impact is a key part of Poptech’s mission. We deliver on this promise through our fellows programs, incubated initiatives and exploratory convenings.