Priya Prakash

Indian social entrepreneur eliminating waterborne diseases through affordable filtration systems

Priya Prakash (b. 1995) revolutionized rural water access through her PureDrop initiative, which provides ultra-low-cost filtration systems to 2.3 million people in India since 2021. Her solar-powered 'NanoDrop' technology removes 99.9% of pathogens using graphene-based filters costing just $3.50 per unit. This innovation was featured in Nature Sustainability and won the 2024 Rolex Enterprise Award.

Prakash's community-based distribution model trains local women as 'Water Champions', creating income streams while ensuring maintenance. The program now operates in 18 Indian states and inspired similar projects in Bangladesh and Nepal. Her 2023 TED Talk 'Clean Water for All' has 18 million views and prompted UNICEF to adopt her model globally.

In 2025, she launched WaterWise Women, a network connecting 50,000 female entrepreneurs across South Asia. This initiative combines water solutions with microfinance opportunities, reducing poverty while improving public health. Her work contributed to a 40% drop in diarrheal disease cases in project areas, earning her the 2025 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship.