The last edition of the Gian Marco Moratti Award has taken place in the month of June 2020. The Award is dedicated to the memory of Gian Marco Moratti, to acknowledge his time devoted to young people. He was aware of how important it was for young entrepreneurs to have the possibility to seize an opportunity or to solve a problem. He was committed to supporting them as they built a positive future for themselves and their family, and therefore impacting their communities. Today, the Award embraces his sprit and rewards the entrepreneurs that follow this direction.
This edition is presented under unique characteristics, where all of our entrepreneurs had to adapt to address the social and economic situation caused by the Covid-19 virus and the ensuing lockdown. This edition winners have been among those who have been the quickest to respond to the pandemic. When public institutions were overwhelmed and media attention diverted, they still had present the importance of serving their communities, customers, and team. Therefore, in this edition, the Award recognizes the best innovation developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the creativity in the innovation, social impact, and business performance.
A jury made up of professionals from the E4Impact Foundation and representatives of African investment funds assessed over 40 video applications. A shortlist of 5 finalists competed in front of our President, Mrs. Letizia Moratti and the jury on friday the 5th of June; the winners of the Award were announced the 8th of June, 2020. The Award provides monetary compensation (3,000€ per winner) as well as visibility in the Foundations communications channels.
The winners are:
- BEN JAMMAINE NCUBE, an entrepreneur from Zimbabwe, founder of MEN’S HEALTH CLINIC. A clinic that provides men’s health services and engages in several awareness campaigns to promote wellness and inform communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has developed a mobile platform that makes available remote medical consulting and providing prescriptions.
- OWAIS MOHAMMED A. HASSAN, an entrepreneur from Sudan, founder of DUAASH IRRIGATION SYSTEM. A business that designs and produces irrigation systems. During the emergency, he has switched the production of irrigation pumps to medical machines, and he has developed a system of automatic disinfection for closed places. Moreover, Duaash Irrigation System has contributed to an emergency ventilator program initiative as volunteers in Sudan.
E4Impact Foundation is particularly pleased also to see how our entrepreneurs have thrived among difficulties and unique circumstances. We strongly believe that trusting young people, in their ideas for the future, and in offering them the opportunity to embrace and realize those ideas is vital to developing a community and constructing a strong future. These winners are a clear example of this. Once again, we congratulate them on their achievements. We are sure that all our entrepreneurs will continue to flourish, and we will continue helping them in any way we can.