Teen entrepreneur builds nonprofit supporting India's traditional artisans

Dev Rai launched Serving Society Global Foundation at just 15 years old with an ambitious mission: to connect India's traditional artisans with global markets and help preserve cultural heritage through sustainable economic opportunities.

The nonprofit has demonstrated significant impact in its mission to support rural craftspeople. Working across multiple artisan communities, the foundation has reached 400 artisans while generating over $15,000 in revenue. More than 900 products have been sold through the initiative's market linkage programmes, creating direct income opportunities for participating craftspeople.

The foundation's model focuses on bridging the gap between skilled artisans and international consumers, particularly in the United States. By facilitating these connections through community initiatives, the nonprofit aims to build sustainable livelihood pathways for traditional craftspeople who often struggle to access wider markets for their work.

Beyond direct artisan support, the foundation has engaged over 300 volunteers in its operations, creating opportunities for youth involvement in entrepreneurship and leadership roles. This volunteer network has become central to the organisation's expansion and community outreach efforts across different regions.

Rai's vision extends toward leveraging digital platforms to further scale impact. By harnessing e-commerce and online marketing channels, the foundation plans to increase market access for artisans while attracting younger generations to traditional crafts, ensuring these cultural practices remain economically viable in the modern economy.