About the Awards
The Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards were established to support business owners and founders who are driving real impact in their communities by demonstrating a deep commitment to equity and sustainability in their business practices. We are looking for creative small and medium-sized business owners who have developed innovative products and services to make a positive social or environmental impact.
The awards platform will grant these groundbreaking small- and medium-sized businesses a 20K cash prize and connect them to data and insights, technical training, and marketing/brand activations to accelerate their work and impact.
Introducing the 2025 Winners
Somnath Ray
CEO & Cofounder | CLIP
Som Ray is a design technologist and serial entrepreneur recognized by MIT TechReview as a top innovator. With 20+ years of experience, he’s built consumer software and hardware, founded India’s first EV auto rickshaw startup, and won the TR35 award for a low-cost wheelchair. As CEO of CLIP, a Brooklyn-based clean mobility startup, he’s making urban commuting sustainable through affordable e-bike tech.
ABOUT CLIP
Kunjpreet Arora
CEO | Angirus
Kunjpreet Arora is the co-founder and CEO of Angirus, a climate-tech startup building sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials. A civil engineer by training and an IIM Indore alumna, Kunjpreet is passionate about solving systemic environmental problems through practical, scalable innovation. She has been recognized by Forbes Asia, TiE Global, Netflix & the Govt. of India, Clinton Global Initiative & World Economic Forum.
ABOUT ANGIRUS
Franco Rodriguez Viau
CEO & Cofounder | Satellites on Fire
Franco Rodríguez Viau is an Argentine entrepreneur harnessing technology for global environmental impact. By 15, he created a wheelchair-racing game promoting inclusion. At 16, he co-founded Satellites on Fire, a wildfire alert system protecting 56 million hectares across 19 countries and preventing 400+ wildfires in recent months. Recognized among the Top MIT Innovators Under 35, Franco has raised funding from MIT and the UN, has taken part in Techstars and the 776 Fellowship by Reddit’s co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Connected with leaders like Richard Branson and Tim Draper, he continues advancing innovation at the intersection of technology and sustainability.
ABOUT SATELLITES ON FIRE
Zizipho Ntobongwana
CEO | Sheba Feminine
Zizipho is a menstrual health innovator designing new narratives and solutions at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and education. As the Founder and CEO of Sheba Feminine, she focuses on sustainable product innovation and menstrual equity, producing eco-friendly menstrual products while leading community programs like “Pay for a Pal’s Pads,” which tackles period poverty through education and distribution.
ABOUT SHEBA FEMININE
Filip Lundin
CEO & Founder | Sopköket AB
Filip Lundin is the founder and CEO of Sopköket, a Swedish social enterprise leading a circular, financially sustainable model that reduces food waste, donates meals and creates jobs for people from marginalized backgrounds. A serial entrepreneur since age 16, Filip lectures globally with Wharton University and the European Union on food waste reduction and sustainable policy.He is now preparing Sopköket’s international expansion through larger production kitchens and a SaaS platform for grocery kitchens, while advocating for Scope 4 CO₂ accounting —proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
ABOUT SOPKÖKET AB
Evaluation Criteria
🚀 Innovation
How your business’s innovation supports your mission and creates a positive societal or environmental impact.
📋 Vision
Compelling vision and concrete plans for how to expand this work in the next 3-5 years.
🎯 Impact
Demonstrated track-record of measurable impact the last 3-5 years, advancing one or more of the Global Goals.
Eligibility Criteria
- Active Business Leader
Be the owner, founder or CEO that plays a crucial role in the current business. - Online Presence
Have an online presence that allows your customers to buy your product. - Small-to-Medium Sized Business
The business must be classified as a small-medium-sized business, typically with fewer than 50 full-time employees or annual revenue under $1 million (subject to local regulations and standards). - Demonstrate Community Impact
The business needs to have 1-5 years of impact in their community.
The business should demonstrate significant, tangible contributions to the local community. This may include, but is not limited to:- Supporting local causes, charities, or nonprofit organizations.
- Engaging in community development projects or local partnerships.
- Implementing sustainable practices that benefit the local environment or economy.
- Creating jobs or providing educational/training opportunities for community members.
- Location
The business must be based in one of these regions: North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America - ❌ Exclusions:
- The business must not be affiliated with an organization from any country or entity subject to financial or other sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or other government entity of the United States of America that may restrict the transfer of the Award
- The business must not be a franchise or part of a national or international chain, as the focus is on independent, locally owned enterprises.
- You must live and work in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America to be eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Previous Winners

Somnath Ray
CEO & Cofounder | CLIP
Som Ray is a design technologist and serial entrepreneur recognized by MIT TechReview as a top innovator. As CEO of CLIP, a Brooklyn-based clean mobility startup, he’s making urban commuting sustainable through affordable e-bike tech.

Kunjpreet Arora
CEO | Angirus
Kunjpreet Arora is the co-founder and CEO of Angirus, a climate-tech startup building sustainable alternatives to traditional construction materials. A civil engineer by training, Kunjpreet is passionate about solving systemic environmental problems through practical, scalable innovation.

Franco Rodriguez Viau
CEO & Cofounder | Satellites on Fire
Franco Rodríguez Viau is an Argentine entrepreneur harnessing technology for global environmental impact. At 16, he co-founded Satellites on Fire, a wildfire alert system protecting 56 million hectares across 19 countries and preventing 400+ wildfires in recent months.

Zizipho Ntobongwana
CEO | Sheba Feminine
Zizipho is a menstrual health innovator advancing solutions at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and education. As Founder & CEO of Sheba Feminine, she develops eco-friendly menstrual products and leads initiatives like “Pay for a Pal’s Pads” to combat period poverty through education and access.

Filip Lundin
CEO & Founder | Sopköket AB
Filip Lundin is Founder & CEO of Sopköket, a Swedish social enterprise reducing food waste, donating meals, and creating jobs for marginalized communities. He is leading their international expansion through larger production kitchens and a SaaS platform for grocery kitchens, while advocating for Scope 4 CO₂ accounting.
