About
Founded in 1996 by Gururaj (“Desh”) and Jaishree Deshpande, the Deshpande Foundation supports innovation and entrepreneurship in both Boston and the Sandbox, which is centered around Hubli-Dharwad in Northwestern Karnataka. We work closely with our programs and partners to catalyze change, scale impact, and build vibrant leadership.
Launched in 2008, the Global Exchange Program (GEP) executes the Foundation’s vision for global exchange specific to development and innovation. The concept allows for exchange – in both directions- improving and addressing the solutions that solve the developing world’s most intractable challenges. GEP was enable exchange of perspectives and knowledge that would in turn fuel change and improve outcomes in the Sandbox. GEP supports year-long fellowships (Sandbox Fellows), short-term, idea-based programs (Innovators), and short-term professional contracts (Junior Fellowship).
