About

Gaurav Somwanshi is a management professional and computer science engineer with over 8 years of experience in public sector consulting, founding an NGO and edu-tech startup. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of emertech innovations, a company that focuses on using emerging technologies for social impact and public good. Gaurav is a blockchain consultant and evangelist who has implemented first-of-its-kind pilots in Chhattisgarh for multiple domains like data exchange between departments, land records, and health records. He has deployed a blockchain solution for India's largest collective of fruits and vegetables farmers, where over 2 million QR codes have been printed. He is now seeking to help farmers avail credit through blockchain-backed data. Gaurav is a social activist and independent researcher in subjects of sociology, history, and technology with two papers published in international journals. He has edited and published books and is a public speaker, educator, and newspaper columnist. Gaurav has received several recognitions for his work, including being designated as a 'Future Leader' by British Council to present his work and idea at UK Parliament and University of Cambridge. He was also selected as a Dalai Lama Fellow in 2019, a fellowship which cultivates and supports a global movement of next-generation leaders applying universal values to solve global challenges. Gaurav was recognized as a Fellow at Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, in 2018, and is a member of the Africa Blockchain Alliance to collaborate and exchange ideas for implementing blockchain for the public sector. He was also awarded 'Youth of the Year 2019' at 'Shahu International Film Festival' at 'National Film Archives of India' in Pune, for his overall work. Gaurav holds a PGDM degree in Marketing and Human Resource from Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, and a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Government Engineering College, Aurangabad. He has also completed a Leadership and Policy Development program from the University of Cambridge and Coaching at Contemplative Sciences Center from the University of Virginia. Gaurav's tech stack includes blockchain, software engineering, AI, and research science. He is currently looking for opportunities to use his expertise to bring trust and transparency in agriculture value chains to inform consumers while empowering farmers, artisans, and on-ground labor.