Announcing the Winners of the 2025 Hard Reset Awards
Here are the winners in each of the five categories recognizing the people and companies using technology to create a more just world
Thank you to everyone who voted in the first ever Hard Reset Awards! We announced the winners this week at an awards ceremony in Oakland.
At a moment when billionaires and tech titans gather more power than ever, there’s a whole world of people out there willing and hoping for a better alternative. Hard Reset is the publication for those people, covering the individuals, companies, and organizations using technology to create a more just world.
This year we recognized those companies and individuals with the first-ever Hard Reset Awards, and handed it over to you to determine the winners. Here are the winners, along with a recorded message accepting the awards:
Category 1: Tech companies or individuals fighting for a system that is more racially, environmentally, or economically just
Winner: Ecosia
Ecosia is a nonprofit search engine and web browser that uses renewable energy to power its servers and invests its profits in tree-planting projects, aiming to absorb more CO2 than it emits.
Category 2: Organizations or individuals supporting human rights in the face of resistance
Winner: Hossam Nasr
Hossam is a former Microsoft software engineer and leader of the No Azure for Apartheid movement who was fired for his support of Palestine and who has become a prominent activist against tech’s involvement in Israeli genocide.
Category 3: Companies or organizations maintaining healthy information ecosystems and strengthening democracy
Winner: TechEquity
TechEquity raises public consciousness so that tech is held accountable for its harms and can instead work towards economic prosperity for everyone.
Category 4: Those addressing city or neighborhood issues in ways that support community, grassroots activism, or public participation in governance
Winner: OpenSolar
OpenSolar exists to accelerate the adoption of solar electrification globally. OpenSolar is the world’s first free, end-to-end platform designed to help solar professionals grow their businesses and streamline their operations.
Category 5: Leadership and courage: an award for tech employees, executives, and founders who have shown fearlessness in challenging power structures
Winner: Joan Kinyua
In a world rapidly shaped by artificial intelligence, Kinyua is dedicated to advocating for fairness, transparency, and ethical practices in AI development and deployment. As a Digital Rights Activist, she empowers individuals and communities by ensuring their voices are heard in conversations about AI policies, digital labor, and the future of work.
Congrats to the winners, and thank you to everyone who voted!
And please send us a message or comment below if you have nominations for next year’s Hard Reset Awards, or other leaders doing good things in the tech world we should feature on Hard Reset.