Socially Conscious

In 2007, Pooja Warier Hamilton co-founded UnLtd India, an organisation that finds, funds and supports early-stage social entrepreneurs. Armed with an MA in social work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, she worked with a range of development sector organisations before launching it.

The idea was born out of her realisation that there exists a vital market gap of support at the earliest stages of a social entrepreneurs journey, when she faces barriers such as lack of technical know-how and community support, as well as difficulties in access to finances and the right networks. With the support of funding agencies and technical experts, UnLtd India has so far supported more than 146 social entrepreneurs who in turn have impacted 2.5 million lives and created 85,000 jobs.

Hamilton, now settled abroad, is also the co-founder of Bombay Connect, India's first co-working space for social entrepreneurs, as well as Journeys for Change, which brings global leaders to India to interact with local social entrepreneurs. She was nominated as a TEDIndia Fellow in 2009, a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013 and was member of Class VI of the Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship at the Ananta Aspen Centre and Aspen Global Leadership Network in 2016.