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From Building Robots in Nagpur to Global Recognition: Abheejit Khandagale Named to Amazon CTO’s Now Go Build Fellowship

<p><strong>&&num;8211&semi; Catalyst Now leader selected for exclusive program after championing tech-enabled resilience at AWS re&colon;Invent<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Las Vegas&comma; NV &colon;–<&sol;strong> Abheejit Khandagale&comma; Digital Solutions Director at Catalyst Now&comma; has been selected for the Now Go Build Fellowship—an exclusive global program led by Amazon CTO Dr&period; Werner Vogels&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The recognition caps a journey from Nagpur&comma; India&comma; where Khandagale built robots and a working Batpod &lpar;Batman&&num;8217&semi;s motorcycle&rpar; as a mechanical engineer&comma; to leading digital transformation for social impact organizations worldwide&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&&num;8220&semi;Growing up in central India&comma; I was always taking things apart to see how they worked&comma;&&num;8221&semi; said Khandagale&period; &&num;8220&semi;Today&comma; I&&num;8217&semi;m doing the same thing—but with systems that keep communities resilient&period; We&&num;8217&semi;re showing that technology can create safety nets that last&comma; not just quick fixes&period;&&num;8221&semi;<img class&equals;"alignnone wp-image-23616 size-full" src&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;insidernewstoday&period;in&sol;wp-content&sol;uploads&sol;2025&sol;12&sol;WhatsAppImage2025-12-09at10&period;47&period;19AM&lowbar;copy&lowbar;800x442&period;webp" alt&equals;"" width&equals;"800" height&equals;"442" &sol;><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>At Catalyst Now&comma; Khandagale builds digital platforms that connect private capital with community infrastructure needs—from decentralized healthcare to climate-adapted utilities&period; His approach addresses a critical moment&colon; as traditional donor funding becomes uncertain&comma; technology offers new paths to sustainable impact&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The fellowship follows his participation at AWS re&colon;Invent 2025&comma; where he discussed how cloud computing and AI can strengthen organizations serving vulnerable communities&period; His selection&comma; backed by Tech To The Rescue&comma; reflects years of community building—from creating Misfits&comma; a 500&plus; member social entrepreneur network across South Asia&comma; to founding Vruksh Ecosystem Foundation&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Khandagale&&num;8217&semi;s path includes recognition as a World Economic Forum Top Innovator for ekatra&comma; serving as a US Department of State Professional Fellow&comma; and leading national sanitation innovation initiatives with the Bill &amp&semi; Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&&num;8220&semi;The Now Go Build Fellowship connects impact builders who understand that AI works best when humans are in the loop&comma; not the other way around&comma;&&num;8221&semi; said Khandagale&period; &&num;8220&semi;This is about putting powerful tools in the hands of people doing meaningful work in their communities&period;&&num;8221&semi;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The fellowship&comma; now in its second year with four cohorts&comma; provides technology training and strategic support to social impact leaders&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;