(April 27, 2024) Manav Subodh, Founder of 1M1B (One Million for One Billion), a UN accredited youth and AI focused skilling organisation is making a compelling case for finding talent across the country. 1M1B, aims for nothing short of the moon. The vision is to become India’s beacon of purpose in social entrepreneurship – breaking into the top 10 social organisations globally within a decade. The team aspires to be synonymous with change-making excellence, the ‘Harvard for change-makers,’ where the passionate and the purposeful converge to ignite social change.
Driven to make a change
Manav Subodh grew up with a sense of pride and a strong desire to showcase India on the world stage. Completing his engineering and MBA meant that he had a flourishing corporate journey across the globe, culminating in a 17-year journey of transforming markets and minds through marketing, sales, product development, and communications. “My career then took an unexpected turn into corporate and public affairs, nudging me towards a world where business meets government and societal impact,” he says.
Manav Subodh
At Intel, he spearheaded initiatives bridging entrepreneurship with education, later amplifying this impact in the Americas, Middle East, and Africa, which only worked to strengthen his resolve to create such change in India’s hinterlands. With a decade at Intel, managing multi-million-dollar projects, he felt a stronger call to serve his country, leading him to UC Berkeley. “There, the freedom to innovate, fail, and pivot reshaped my vision. I found that the cut-throat and competitive Indian education system was not as forgiving to failures. The U.S. education system, with its emphasis on open innovation, trial-and-error, and networking, didn’t just teach me; it transformed me into a change-maker and a global citizen,” he explains.
Going Beyond
1M1B was born out of inspiration from Berkeley’s ethos – to go beyond yourself and to work for the community. “This powerful idea ignited a question within me: Could I catalyse the creation of change-makers on a massive scale? Thus, 1M1B, or ‘1 Million for 1 Billion,’ emerged with a mission to forge one million change-makers to transform a billion lives. This vision was not just about education; it was about revolutionising mindsets and empowering the youth with empathy, collaboration, and resilience, while instilling in them the courage to embrace failures as stepping stones,” he avers. Transitioning from the corporate sphere to entrepreneurship was however no walk in the park. “It meant giving up the security of a well-oiled corporate machine – where I got to visit over 30 countries, enjoyed predictable appraisals and salary hikes, and led a life of relative luxury. The shift was seismic – from boardroom meetings and business class flights to Ola’s and staying-at-friends. My commitment was tested in every aspect, from financial stability to personal comfort, but it was always worth it,” he opines.
Manav subodh
Making a Difference
At 1M1B, the team’s work with youth rests on three pillars – change-making, AI for a better world, and green skills. Over nine years, they have empowered approximately 600,000 young minds across 29 Indian states, infusing them with the skills to be tomorrow’s leaders. “Our partnerships with giants like IBM, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, and Meta underline our commitment to blending corporate excellence with social innovation. Our presence at the UN headquarters in New York, through eight global summits, underscores our unique position as the frontrunner in India for youth-led global discourse on change and innovation. The 1M1B Activate Summit is our annual showcase, highlighting transformative stories from India, demonstrating the power of AI and technology in fostering green skills and sustainable development,” says Subodh. But beyond the numbers and events, the core mission is to democratise opportunity for all youth. “We ensure that our programs are as accessible in the prestigious corridors of international schools as they are in the humble classrooms of tribal Chhattisgarh. Our collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the establishment of village centres exemplifies our dedication to creating an equitable platform for education and empowerment,” he adds.
Passion for Change
What fuels Subodh’s passion is the transformative impact on the lives of young individuals. Every day as he works, he talks and mentors his younger self. “Witnessing a young person flourish because of 1M1B’s influence is honestly my only life’s mission. But at the heart of my motivation is the constant desire to learn and grow. I cherish the inquisitive spirit of my younger student self and strive to maintain that curiosity throughout my entire life. In every interaction, I lead with confidence without attitude, a principle that shapes my approach to leadership and service,” he says.
Entrepreneurship to Subodh, in its true essence, is a calling, not “a job as he believes it is a life’s mission that demands unyielding commitment and passion. If you don’t feel that innate pull, that relentless drive to pursue your entrepreneurial vision, then it may not be your path. I like to think of entrepreneurship like a love affair, marked by a rollercoaster of emotions, irrational decisions, and unexpected challenges. It’s a journey where logic often takes a backseat to passion. Practically speaking, start your entrepreneurial journey as early as possible. While technology startups may seem more straightforward, social entrepreneurship carries its unique set of challenges and rewards,” he adds.
Navigating Hurdles
Over the last nine years, he has learnt that your network truly is your net worth. “It is the collective strength of friends and supporters worldwide that has prevented me from faltering. Good work done with integrity attracts support; it’s a magnetic force that draws in people. Even in moments of scarcity, when partners and funds seemed elusive, my network, including those from my Intel days, provided unwavering support. The lesson is clear: cherish and nurture your relationships, from peers to juniors. They are not just contacts but lifelines that sustain your mission and vision, especially in times of need,” he says.
Manav Subodh
A Full Life
In those few moments away from his entrepreneurial pursuits, he revels in exploring the world with his loved ones and has ventured into the world of podcasting. Looking ahead he wants to build the 1M1B Green Skills Academy, a full-fledged campus dedicated not just to academic degrees, but to practical, impactful learning aimed at combating the climate crisis. This academy will become a crucible for the green workforce of tomorrow, training not only in India but setting a global precedent in environmental education. “We envision a future where every sector, from law to technology, from policy making to architecture, integrates eco-friendly principles at its core. The urgency of climate action is undeniable, and through 1M1B, we are committed to accelerating the pace of change, equipping individuals with the skills to make a tangible difference in the world’s environmental future,” he concludes.
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