In April, Vera was named as a recipient of the Genesis Generation Challenge award, which supports organizations whose projects demonstrate innovation and creativity in addressing the world’s most pressing issues. Former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the Genesis Prize Foundation announced Vera as one of nine organizations selected to receive the award, along with two Vera partners, Sanergy and Spark MicroGrants.
“The Genesis Prize, which celebrates individuals who inspire others through their dedication, is a unique opportunity for these nine young teams to expand their efforts in bettering the world around them,” said Stan Polovets, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation.
The Genesis Generation Challenge panel of judges, which included CEO of Sony Entertainment Michael Lynton and renowned negotiator Ken Feinberg, chose Vera from more than 110 organizations. The $100,000 award will support the growth and evolution of the Vera Fellowship program, which equips young leaders with the skills and tools to help social impact organizations improve their data systems. A cohort of nine Fellows joined the Vera team in June. They hail from five countries, collectively speak ten languages, and bring a diverse wealth of professional and academic experience to the team.
“The Vera Fellowship Program is at the heart of our work,” said Ben Campbell, who manages the Fellowship Program. “We’re very grateful for the Genesis Generation Challenge award, which allows us to improve, evolve, and grow the program.”
