Sophie Schmidt, the founder and publisher of Rest of World, has been named a 2024 Young Global Leader (YGL) by the World Economic Forum. This prestigious recognition is in honor of Sophie’s advocacy for overlooked global tech users and her vision for Rest of World, a pioneering news organization that delves into the untold stories of technology’s impact outside of the Western world.
Sophie is among the 91 individuals worldwide chosen to be a part of the 2024 class. As a YGL, Sophie now joins a distinguished community of innovators, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing issues.
Upon receiving the honor, Sophie expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am incredibly honored to be named a Young Global Leader. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the team at Rest of World, who are dedicated to uncovering bold and ambitious stories about the impact of tech-driven change on societies worldwide, especially in regions often overlooked by mainstream media.”
Sophie’s inspiration for founding Rest of World came after ten years of exploring why there was a lack of discussion in the West about how digital technology was reshaping the non-Western world. She identified a significant information gap – a lack of accessible tech reporting. In 2019, she established Rest
