GSB HSE University Students Become Finalists of the 2026 Flourish Prizes
About the AIM2Flourish Initiative
The Flourish Prize is an annual international competition organized by the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit at Case Western Reserve University, supported by the United Nations. Each year, the competition recognizes exceptional stories published through AIM2Flourish platform, a global learning initiative that connects students with business innovations advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Students use Appreciative Inquiry interviewing method to discover and celebrate untold stories of business innovation for good across five thematic categories advancing the 17 UN Global Goals with creativity, compassion, and collaboration:
- Health, Well-being, and Human Development
- Sustainable Societies and Economies
- Climate Action and Environmental Regeneration
- Social Inclusion and Innovation
- Catalysts for Change and Collaboration
Selected from hundreds of student-authored innovation stories from around the world, the 2026 finalists represent organizations creating positive impact through innovation, sustainability, inclusion, and collaboration, demonstrating the power of business to address global challenges while creating value for people, communities, and the planet.
The HelpMum Africa Story: Smart Care for Mothers and Babies
The GSB team's story, titled "Smart Care For Mothers and Babies in Africa," was selected as a Finalist in Category 1 “Health, Well-being, and Human Development”. The story highlights the critical work of HelpMum Africa, a for-profit social enterprise founded by Dr. Abiodun Adereni in Nigeria.
Across Africa, maternal and infant mortality remains one of the most pressing challenges. In Nigeria, a woman dies every two minutes from preventable pregnancy-related issues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), Africa accounts for roughly 70% of global maternal deaths with a mortality rate of 545 per 100,000 live births. Nigeria alone contributes nearly 20% of global maternal deaths (82,000 deaths annually), with an equally alarming infant mortality rate of 54 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to the global average of 27 per 1,000.
HelpMum Africa leverages digital innovation, affordable healthcare, and community empowerment to tackle maternal and infant mortality in underserved and rural areas. Their mission is simple yet profound: to ensure that no woman dies while giving life, especially due to lack of access to affordable healthcare.
The organization innovated the Clean Birth Kit to provide mothers in Nigeria with a safer delivery environment, significantly reducing postpartum and neonatal infections by 99.5% for mothers and 100% for infants. HelpMum sells the kit at an affordable price of $6 and employs local women to produce it, providing them with income to support their families. Through the Clean Birth Kit, HelpMum advances UN SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 5 (Gender Equality), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
A Continued Tradition of Excellence
This achievement marks another milestone for the GSB, following the successes of the 2021 and 2024 Flourish Prizes won by GSB alumni. The recognition demonstrates the high quality of education and research at HSE Graduate School of Business, as well as our students' ability to identify and articulate meaningful business innovations that contribute to solving global challenges.
We congratulate the student team, their advisor Ekaterina Ivanova, and HelpMum Africa on this remarkable international recognition! Being selected as finalists among hundreds of global submissions is an excellent achievement for our International Management master's programme students and reinforces GSB's commitment to developing future leaders who understand business as a force for positive change in the world.
Academic Director, Master's Programme in International Management, GSB HSE University
This achievement in the Flourish Prize 2026 competition showcases the true strength of our GSB HSE International Management programme. Our finalist team, consisting entirely of students from Nigeria, Ghana, Afghanistan, China, and Thailand, brought invaluable perspectives from the Global South. Their deep, personal understanding of the challenges facing underserved communities—combined with their academic rigor—enabled them to craft a story that authentically captures both the problem and the innovation addressing it. This is exactly the kind of global leadership our programme aims to develop.
Associate Professor, Strategic and International Management Department, GSB HSE University
I am deeply proud that our GSB HSE students continue to earn recognition in the Flourish Prizes. The nearly 6,000 stories published on AIM2Flourish serve as a powerful reminder that businesses are already driving positive change for sustainable development. My sincere thanks go to the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit for organizing this remarkable competition and offering students an invaluable experiential learning opportunity.
Habeeb Adeyemo
2 year student, Master's Programme in International Management, GSB HSE University
Participating in this wonderful project increased my sense of responsibility and belonging. The experience enabled me to be a part of the change I want to see.This award reassures me that there is no limit to what a person can achieve if you put your mind into it and that business can give back to the society and still be profitable.I want to thank the Graduate School of Business at the Higher School of Economics for giving us the platform to thrive and test our capabilities.My appreciation also goes to Professor Ekaterina Ivanona for her guidance and support throughout the journey and to all my team members, who selflessly and passionately contributed to achieve this feat.
Promise Yeboah Owusu
2 year student, Master's Programme in International Management, GSB HSE University
Receiving the Flourish Prize was truly unexpected and I am deeply honored. The sustainable business seminar opened my eyes to how businesses can genuinely serve people and the planet, and these lessons will stay with me far beyond the classroom, shaping both my career and how I live my life. Above all, I dedicate this recognition to Dr. Ekaterina Ivanova, whose guidance and dedication made this journey truly meaningful.
Abidullah Shinwari
2 year student, Master's Programme in International Management, GSB HSE University
Being part of this international project showed me that business can be much more than an economic activity, it can be a powerful force for human dignity and social progress. Coming from Afghanistan and studying in Russia, I was inspired by HelpMum Africa’s work and by the opportunity to collaborate with teammates from different countries to tell a story that truly matters. This recognition demonstrates how global perspectives and shared purpose can help bring innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Phebe Adekunte
2 year student, Master's Programme in International Management, GSB HSE University
Winning the Aim2Flourish competition with my team is an achievement that I will always cherish. It reminded me that when passionate people come together with a shared purpose, they can create ideas that inspire change and make a real difference. Telling the story of Helpmum Africa reinforced my belief that business can be a powerful force for good, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent HSE through this meaningful experience. I hope our success encourages others to dream boldly, embrace collaboration, and use their talents to create a positive impact in the world.
Jie Li
2 year student, Master's Programme in International Management, GSB HSE University
I'm very honored that our story on HelpMum Africa was selected as one of the global finalists. This project has been truly eye-opening, especially seeing how people there use business and technology to save the lives of mothers and children. I've been deeply moved by their story and by the dedication of everyone in the organization. It strengthened my belief that business is not only about making a profit, but also about bringing good to the world. Finally, I'm grateful to HSE GSB and Professor Ivanova for offering us this global opportunity.
Christiana Yawson
2 year student, Master's Programme in International Management, GSB HSE University
As a young Ghanaian woman, I have seen the struggles mothers face in my community. Researching Smart Care for Mothers and Babies in Africa for this SDG-focused project felt personal. Collaborating with teammates from across the world, we worked tirelessly to tell a story that truly matters. Winning this award means a lot to me. HelpMum's mission has taught me how a social enterprise can combine innovation with a deep commitment to saving lives, and it inspired me to think more critically about how businesses can create real, positive change in the world. Congrats to us and thanks to everyone who made this possible.
Nontapat Watanawigun
2 year student, Master's Programme in International Management, GSB HSE University
Being part of the AIM2Flourish project was a meaningful experience because it showed us how business can create real social impact beyond profit. Our work on HelpMum Africa helped me understand that sustainability is not only about the environment, but also about improving lives, health, and opportunities for communities. Winning the Flourish Prize is a great honor and a reminder that responsible business ideas can inspire real change.