21 January 2026
After months of preparation, Glovatrix from India took first place at the BeChangeMaker finale in Dubrovnik, Croatia. More than 200 people attended the live pitch event to support the five finalist teams and see them present their innovative social impact business ideas.
BeChangeMaker is an online training program for social entrepreneurs created by WorldSkills International and the HP Foundation, and supported by UNESCO-UNEVOC. It offers people ages 18-35 a chance to turn their ideas into real world solutions. Now in its nineth year, a record 1,123 teams from 117 countries applied to join the 2025 program, with 30 teams making it to the shortlist.
At the finale, each team had five minutes to present their idea, followed by questions from a panel of judges. Glovatrix, led by Aishwarya Karnataki and Rudra Ghodke, scooped first place with Fifth Sense, a glove that uses AI to foster communication between hearing-and speech-impaired people by translating sign language into voice in real time, enabling inclusive and independent conversations.
“It has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but we are feeling so thrilled to have won. We have already made a great network of contacts and organizations that support skills for those with disabilities so that we can take our product to the next level,” said Aishwarya.
During the three-month program, participating teams had access to expert coaching as well as tools and resources including the HP Foundation’s free business and digital skills training program, HP LIFE. Covering topics ranging from AI for Business Professionals to Effective Leadership, the program’s 30-plus courses all have one thing in common—preparing learners for the future of work. In addition, 57 HP employees volunteered to mentor the teams, sharing their expertise to help them develop their business ideas and improve their pitches. Seven more HP employees volunteered as judges.
Meet the BeChangeMaker 2025 winners
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1st place: Glovatrix (India)
A smart, AI-based glove for Deaf and hearing-impaired people that translates sign language into speech—and speech into text—on a mobile app in real time. -
2nd place: ReGen (Nepal)
Child-friendly, crisis-ready kits designed to support children in disaster situations. -
3rd place: PaperPods (Indonesia)
Seed-embedded “plantable” paper made from waste, crafted by retired Balinese women. -
4th place: AstMask (Denmark)
A fun and simplified mask based on colorful characters, the “FunSpacer” helps children inhale asthma medication. -
5th place: Youth Re:Linked (Canada)
Empowers communities through culture, care, and local leadership to address the youth loneliness crisis.
Each of the teams will receive EUR 1,000 in post-program coaching support. The three highest-ranking teams will receive an additional EUR 2,000 to develop their concepts.
About HP LIFE
HP LIFE is a free business and digital skills training program from the HP Foundation. It can be accessed online via the HP LIFE platform, in-person through our partners, and both online and offline with the HP LIFE mobile app.
The program enables people all over the world to learn core business concepts and the critical skills needed for the future of work—whether upskilling, enhancing education, or starting a business—by offering more than 30 free, accessible training courses in eight languages.
It is also an adaptable educational resource used by trainers, educators, and mentors to enrich curricula, support business creation, and assist career growth.