2019 EO Global Citizen of the Year Awarded to Ravi Machani

Indian entrepreneur honored for work in rural development

Alexandria, Virginia, USA (23 April 2019) – Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), the world’s leading peer-to-peer network of successful business owners, is honored to name Ravi Machani, Founder of IndiVillage Tech Solutions and Managing Director, Machani Group as the 2019 Global Citizen of the Year. This prestigious annual award recognizes an EO member whose entrepreneurial spirit, innovative approach, and effective business practices transcend borders and change lives.

Ravi Machani founded IndiVillage in 2010 as a social enterprise focused on providing education and economic opportunities for rural India. Recognizing the need for job opportunities outside of the country’s urban pockets, he set up the business process outsourcing business as a way to bring employment to rural women and youth and provide holistic community development initiatives such as clean drinking water, healthcare and education for all.

“Entrepreneurs are well positioned to be change-makers and we are proud to have several members who go above and beyond to create a positive impact. With IndiVillage, Ravi Machani is investing back into communities that need resources the most and has created a sustainable business model that uplifts rural populations. “Make a mark” is one of EO’s core values and it’s truly inspiring to see him do that with this initiative, “said Bubu Andres, EO Global Chair.

“IndiVillage was conceptualized as a response to a challenge from a former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam that called for entrepreneurs to focus their energies on the villages of the country. It started out as an idea to help tackle the wage and skills gap between urban and rural communities and we have come a long way since,” said Ravi Machani, Founder of IndiVillage. “EO also inspired me to find other ways to give back. In 2016, I helped start EO CARES, a flagship program of the EO Bangalore chapter that helps build the startup ecosystem. It provides small and medium sized businesses a platform for revenue opportunities, networking, sustained mentorship & learning from the EO community and its extended networks.”

Over the past 12 months, IndiVillage has helped bring positive impact to over 17,000 people across villages in India. It has a 187 people strong workforce, supporting 748 direct dependents and has helped families overcome poverty by providing dignified work and economic growth. Women make up 40% of its workforce and health camps, food, education and books are provided free of cost to over 200 children. 3.9 million liters of water is given out to close to 13,000 people every day playing an active part in providing clean drinking water to a community that would otherwise not have access to it. Through EO CARES, Ravi and the Bangalore chapter has also helped 200+ startups gain exposure and find easier access to resources that can help them grow.

The Global Citizen of the Year award was presented at the annual EO Global Leadership Conference (GLC) where close to 1,400 entrepreneurs from over 60 countries gathered this year to connect with other EO members and gain leadership skills, perspective and awareness. Ravi Machani’s nomination earned him a place among a cast of distinguished past winners who have nurtured entrepreneurial growth in developing nations, built schools and revolutionized healthcare to make it more affordable and accessible for the underprivileged. To know about the EO, its programs and initiatives, please visit: https://www.eonetwork.org/