Eight social enterprise projects are set to change lives in Asia for the better. They address a range of causes, from training African giant pouched rats to detect landmines, creating an intelligent walking aid for the blind, introducing solar-powered water pumps to help farmers irrigate crops to bringing e-learning technology to rural villages. The winners of the Lien i3 Challenge received generous grants of between $50,000 to $250,000 from the $1 million prize money to implement their projects within one year. Comprising young start-ups and established social organisations, they were selected for having best demonstrated Innovation, Impact and Implementability. Organised by the Lien Centre for Social Innovation at SMU, the Challenge received an overwhelming 648 proposals from 15 countries. The Lien i3 Challenge is supported by the Ashoka Foundation, The Straits Times and the Social Innovation eXchange. Professor Howard Hunter, President of SMU observed that the winners “have demonstrated that it is possible to affect and improve the lives of many people through modest means” and serve as great models of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators.