Meet some of the entrepreneurs bringing internet connectivity, access to energy and economic opportunity where they're needed most

He made a vow. When his 16-year-old daughter died from an illness doctors could not diagnose, Allen Bailochan Tuladhar promised he would carry out her dream to help young people in Nepal obtain better access to technology and computer science education.

In the 10 years since Ellaine’s passing, it’s a vow Tuladhar has kept. He has established a foundation in his daughter’s name that offers scholarships and helps educate young women about technology. And his company, Picosoft Nepal, is working to bring low-cost internet to schools in the country’s heavily rural areas.

On Monday, Picosoft Nepal received additional support for its mission. Microsoft awarded an Affordable Access Initiative (AAI) grant to the company, and to nine other businesses whose solutions deliver internet connectivity, access to energy and the power of the cloud to communities in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the U.S.