interactive, web-based competition were coached throughout by HP employee mentors to think like innovators while developing skills that will help them grow into globally minded, socially responsible entrepreneurs.

A team of high school students from Nizhnekamsk, Russia, took home the global title for Fortuna, a simple and sustainable business concept designed to encourage citizens to manufacture and sell products created from recyclable waste materials, potentially driving profit and also reducing landfill.

"Participation in the Social Innovation Relay taught us communication and business skills, and also made us more confident working in teams. Through this program, we learned that business can and should have a positive impact on society and the environment. It was great being able to come up with new ideas, designs and technologies that could address environmental challenges and improve our quality of life," says Andrei Kubyshkin, student and captain of the winning team.

To expand the project's reach and impact, the students integrated activities such as trainings, awareness events and grassroots campaigns designed to encourage recycling and share best practices in sustainability. The project will first be rolled out within the local community, and then to a wider, global audience via web-based activities.