Addteqâs Commitment to Giving Back
At Addteq business success and social responsibility are closely tied together. Through Iris foundation and Pledge 1%, we donate 1% of our profits to philanthropy, investing in communities that need support the most. Reflecting this commitment, Addteq was invited to ring the NASDAQ opening bell on Giving Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025. This year, rather than taking the stage ourselves, we pass the honor to someone whose journey truly represents opportunity and giving back â Dhanashree.
A Beginning Rooted in Purpose
Every remarkable journey begins with a foundation. For Dhanashree, that foundation was the Akanksha Foundation, a publicâprivate partnership that reimagines holistic education for lowâincome communities in India. At Akankshaâs LAPMEMS school in Bopodi, Pune, she did not just build a strong academic foundation but also developed soft skills required to thrive in the world. Akanksha’s work is deeply rooted in the belief that every student deserves a fair platform to fully unleash their potential.
Akanksha Foundationâs model â government infrastructure combined with innovative curriculum and teacher training â gave her the space to grow beyond rote learning. This foundation led to her first stage appearance at the Akanksha Gala in the US, where, at just 12, she offered an early glimpse of the soon-to-be young but global career.
Crossing Borders, Expanding Horizons
Her path soon extended far beyond Pune. After earning a full scholarship to the United World College in Tanzania, she embraced the International Baccalaureate curriculum, with a focus on history and economics. This first departure from India brought fresh cultures, perspectives, and aspirations.
After two years, she chose a gap year â not as a pause, but as a deliberate exploration of justice and community. During this time, she worked in Cape Town with Tilting Futures , a human rights organization, interned with Akankshaâs donor relations team (a âfull circle momentâ). She also and interned at the African Court on Human and Peoplesâ Rights Arusha, Tanzania, as a communications Intern, where she helped to analyse and enhance the media’s presence of the court. She aslo witnessed genocide trials in Tanzania. These experiences solidified her commitment towards studying and pursuing International Law and working for Human and Economic Rights.
African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, where I was a communications intern, where I helped to analyse and enhance the media presence of the court. These experiences solidified my commitment towards studying and pursuing International Law and working for Human and Economic Rights.
The Power of Invitation
Now a student at Trinity College in Connecticut, Dhanashree continues to integrate economics, human rights, and political science, carrying forward her commitment to giving back.
That spirit is why Addteq, through Pledge 1%, has chosen Dhanashree to ring the NASDAQ bell. Our invitation is not just symbolic. It is a signal that education, opportunity, and generosity can extend far beyond one moment, shaping many lives.
A Story That Inspires
From the classrooms of Pune to international courts, and from Akankshaâs nurturing environment to the global NASDAQ stage, Dhanashreeâs story illustrates how education grounded in values and supported by community can unlock extraordinary potential.
Her experiences reveal what is possible when communities invest in education. Supporting organizations like Akanksha Foundation and initiatives like Pledge 1% helps create more opportunities for future changemakers. By committing to give back, we empower more students like Dhanashree to enter the world with courage, purpose, and hope.
About Akansha Fund
Akanksha Education Fund (Akanksha means ‘To Aspire’) empowers students from underserved communities in India by providing access to transformative educational experiences and pathways to economic mobility. For over three decades, Akanksha has supported more than 20,000 students through its network of 27 innovative public-private partnership schools, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive beyond the limits of poverty
âLearn more about Addteq, Pledge 1%, and Akansha Fund.
