– VSolvit announced today that it is a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Payal Kamdar, CEO will pursue an innovative global health and development research project, titled Geospatial Optimization Tool. Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) funds individuals worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mold in how we solve persistent global health and development challenges. VSolvit’s project is one of over 100 Grand Challenges Explorations Round 8 grants announced today by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Grand Challenges Explorations encourages individuals worldwide to expand the pipeline of ideas where creative, unorthodox thinking is most urgently needed,” said Chris Wilson, director of Global Health Discovery and Translational Sciences at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We’re excited to provide additional funding for select grantees so that they can continue to advance their idea towards global impact.” To receive funding, VSolvit and other Grand Challenges Explorations Round 8 winners demonstrated in a two-page online application a bold idea in one of five critical global heath and development topic areas that included agriculture development, immunization and nutrition. Applications for the current open round, Grand Challenges Explorations Round 9, will be accepted through May 15, 2012. VSolvit’s project, the Geospatial Optimization Tool (GOT), is an interactive mapping application with advanced data analysis capabilities that can be used to improve the performance of immunization logistics and supply systems. VSolvit's goal is to demonstrate how Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can be used as a tool to solve complex health care issues, thereby improve global health care.

“After having witnessed the transformative power of GIS when we implemented the technology at multiple federal agencies, I was very interested in exploring use of GIS in healthcare settings. I am very excited and fortunate to be part of the Grand Challenges that makes this experiment possible. I am confident that we can demonstrate the use of geospatial technology to improve healthcare network effectiveness and decision making. . . thereby contributing positively to the society” Payal Kamdar, CEO.

About Grand Challenges Explorations

Grand Challenges Explorations is a US$100 million initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Launched in 2008, over 600 people in 45 countries have received Grand Challenges Explorations grants. The grant program is open to anyone from any discipline and from any organization. The initiative uses an agile, accelerated grant-making process with short two-page online applications and no preliminary data required. Initial grants of US$100,000 are awarded two times a year. Successful projects have the opportunity to receive a follow-on grant of up to US$1 million.

About VSolvit

VSolvit is a leading provider of Geospatial and Information Technology consulting services to the government and the private sector. VSolvit was recognized as the USDA Woman Owned Business of the Year in 2011. VSolvit’s SBA Certified 8(a)/SDB, 8(m)/WOSB status and availability of GSA Schedules enables government agencies to have rapid access to geospatial expertise to “Geospatially Enabling” their organizations. For more information please visit us at www.VSolvit.com or Call us at (805)-750-9135.