KF Tech Awards 2025

Celebrating breakthrough applications of AI for social impact

Opens: 20th August, 2025

Closes: 30th September, 2025

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About the Awards

We are delighted to launch the Koita Foundation Tech Awards 2025, with this year’s theme focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Social Impact.
Hosted in collaboration with India Development Review (IDR) and India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS), the awards recognise NGOs across India that are using AI to address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact in sectors such as education, healthcare, livelihoods, gender, and inclusion.

Get ready to witness how changemakers are transforming the social sector using AI not just as a tool,
but as a catalyst for systemic, scalable, and inclusive change.

Impact

Show how your AI expands reach, improves efficiency, and lowers costs

Innovate

Present unique ways of practical AI to solve community problems

Inspire

Be featured on leading platforms like IDR and ILSS, share your learnings openly, and connect with peers to strengthen the ecosystem.

Award Categories & Prize Money
(₹45 Lakhs Award Pool)

1st Prize

1st PRIZE

₹20 Lakhs

2nd Prize

2nd PRIZE

₹10 Lakhs

3rd Prize

3rd PRIZE

₹5 Lakhs (3 Prizes)

Awards Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

  • Registered Indian NGO (Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company)
  • Effective use of AI solution to address social challenges
  • Demonstrated / potential benefit to beneficiaries
  • Fair, transparent, and responsible use of AI
  • Cost effectiveness of solution (long-term viability)
  • Experience of the team in delivering AI-driven solutions
  • Willingness to support development of case studies for other NGOs
  • Willingness to share AI solution details (incl. use case, approach, technology details, learnings, costing) with KF, ILSS & IDR

The Process

Register

Sign up to express your interest in participating in the Koita Foundation Tech Awards 2025.

Submit Application

After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to the application form. Review the FAQs and eligibility criteria before filling out the form.

Present to the Jury

If shortlisted, showcase your AI solution and its impact to our expert jury panel.

Final Presentations & Award Ceremony

Join us at the India Fund Raising Conference for the final round presentations and the awards announcement.

FAQs

Who can apply for the Koita Foundation Tech Awards 2025?

Indian non-profits (registered as a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company) that have implemented AI-based solutions for social impact are eligible to apply.

What qualifies as an AI-based solution?

To qualify, AI must be central to the solution and must contribute meaningfully to program outcomes. Examples include the use of machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), or large language models (LLMs) to personalize interventions, optimize decision-making, analyze data at scale, or improve service delivery.

Please note: Using AI purely for internal efficiency tasks like calendar scheduling, document summarization, or content creation does not qualify unless it directly impacts program delivery and outcomes for the target community. The solution must demonstrate how AI moves the needle on social impact in a measurable way.

Can early-stage ideas or prototypes apply?

No. This award is intended for solutions that have moved beyond the concept stage. You must have at least piloted the solution in a real-world setting and be able to showcase documented outcomes or learnings.

We are a for-profit social enterprise. Are we eligible?

No, this award is only for registered Indian NGOs (Trust, Society or Section 8 companies)

What kind of impact are you looking for?

We are looking for solutions that address meaningful challenges. Impact can be direct (e.g., improved outcomes) or systemic (e.g., improved policy design, data-driven decision-making).

Can we submit more than one project?

Yes, if your organization has implemented more than one AI-driven solution, you may submit multiple entries. Each project must have its own complete application.

What is the evaluation process?

Applications will be reviewed based on several criteria: Social Impact, Ethical AI, Innovation, Scalability & Sustainability, Openness. A jury of domain and technology experts will assess each submission. There can be an in-person or virtual solution demonstration along with a Q&A. Applicants are expected to be present for this between 15th October to 15th December. In case of absence, please reach out at the earliest.

How are we evaluating Responsible AI and what do you mean by it?

Responsible AI refers to the design, development, and deployment of AI systems that prioritize fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, and the minimization of bias or harm. In evaluation, we will assess whether your solution:

  • Ensures fairness and avoids discrimination.
  • Protects data privacy and security.
  • Is transparent about how AI decisions are made.
  • Considers the broader social and environmental impact

What do you mean by openness?

Openness means the willingness to share knowledge, methods, and learnings in a way that benefits the wider ecosystem. This may include open-source code or datasets, publishing insights, collaborating with other organisations, and being transparent about your approach, results, and limitations.

Is there a cash award or funding associated?

Yes. Winners of the AI for Social Good Awards will receive the following cash prizes:

  • 🥇 1st Prize – ₹20 Lakhs
  • 🥈 2nd Prize – ₹10 Lakhs
  • 🥉 3rd Prize – ₹5 Lakhs (3 awards)

What visibility or recognition will winners receive beyond the cash awards?

Beyond the cash awards, selected winners will also be profiled and featured across leading ecosystem platforms such as India Development Review (IDR), Koita Centre for Digital Transformation (KCDT), and India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) through articles, case studies, and knowledge-sharing formats. This visibility is designed to amplify their work, inspire others, and strengthen the overall AI-for-social-good ecosystem in India.

We are unsure if our solution qualifies. Can we reach out for clarity?

Absolutely. If you have questions about eligibility or criteria, feel free to contact us at awards@koitafoundation.org.

What if we miss the submission deadline?

We hope you don’t! In case of personal or professional exigencies, do reach out to us. We may make considerations.

In case, I have made an error or missed out a document, can I resubmit an application?

All submissions are final. Please be careful and detail orientated when creating and submitting the application.

Is there a theme for which projects can be submitted, or which NGOs can I apply?

There is no theme restriction for the project or NGO. Any NGO, working for any cause, can apply.