Capitalism is all very well. But it might not be the best way to tackle a range of major issues relating to government programs, privacy in the digital age, and more. By leveraging technology in creative ways, these efforts from nonprofit organizations and academic institutions benefit society in ways we can all appreciate.

Beeck Center for Social Impact & Innovation
For making data-driven governing a reality
U.S. state governments are full of people who know that understanding data is key to successful outcomes. The Beeck Center’s Data Labs, part of Georgetown University, is a nine-month program that facilitates sharing of best practices among policy and data leaders. Six states participated in the 2023 cohort, which covered areas such as student progress, career opportunities, the Child Tax Credit, and unemployment insurance.

Consumer Reports
For helping us exercise our digital privacy rights
Laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act give individuals the right to see what data companies have on them, prevent it from being sold, and even get it deleted. So Consumer Reports created Permission Slip, an app that makes people aware of that right and streamlines the process of taking advantage of it. In March, CR received a $500,000 grant from Omidyar Network to assure the app’s continued availability.

Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education
For using drones to save lives
In 60 countries around the world, 110 million undetected landmines kill thousands of people a year. Working with the Oklahoma State University Global Consortium for Explosive Hazard Mitigation and the Demining Research Community, OAIRE developed a system that uses drones and machine-learning technology to detect mines, a task it performed with 90% accuracy. When mines do detonate, the system can also be used in forensic analysis.

The companies behind these technologies are among the honorees in Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech awards for 2023. See a full list of all the winners across all categories, and read more about the methodology behind the selection process.