Sneha Srinivasan

Social entrepreneur empowering 500,000 rural Indian women through digital literacy

Sneha Srinivasan (b. 1990) is the founder of Aangan, a nonprofit that has revolutionized women's empowerment in India's rural areas. Starting with a single computer in her hometown of Coimbatore, Srinivasan created a scalable model combining digital literacy with financial inclusion. Her program's unique Digital Sahelis (female tech mentors) have trained over 500,000 women across 18 states.

Key initiatives include:

• "Mobile Banking in Marathi": First vernacular mobile banking app for illiterate users
• "Digital Diaries": AI-powered audio journals for literacy development
• Partnership with RBI's Jan Dhan Yojana program

Srinivasan's TED Talk "The Power of a Pressed Button" has 8.2 million views. Her 2021 book 《Unlocked: India's Rural Tech Revolution》 inspired similar programs in Bangladesh and Nepal. Aangan's "E-Panchayat" platform now handles 40% of rural governance requests in Karnataka.

Innovations:

• Eye-tracking devices for disabled users
• Solar-powered charging stations in 120 villages

Recognitions include the 2022 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and being featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list. Srinivasan is currently developing AI-driven healthcare apps to address maternal mortality gaps.