In the ever-evolving landscape of social innovation and entrepreneurship, the stories behind the names of organizations often carry deep meanings and inspirational tales. One such story is that of Babele, a name that resonates with ambition, unity, and the dream of a connected world. However, not many are familiar with the captivating journey and the rich tapestry of dreams and aspirations that led to the birth of Babele—a name, interestingly enough, that poses a playful challenge to pronounce for many of our esteemed partners and collaborators.
The Dream Begins
The seeds of Babele were sown in 2007, in the academic corridors of the Politecnico di Torino, where our co-founder, Manu, was wrestling with the complexities of math and physics. It was during this time that Manu envisioned a groundbreaking e-learning platform. This platform wasn’t just any educational tool; it aimed to revolutionize the way math and physics were taught, making these subjects accessible and engaging through practical examples and mini-documentaries. The goal was to guide the curious student, to show how these abstract subjects play a tangible role in our daily lives.
A Name That Unites
The name “Babele” emerged from a conversation between Manu and a close friend during a visit back to Sardinia for Easter. Over beers and cigarettes, as they discussed ideas and dreams of entrepreneurship, the friend suggested calling this dream “BABELE,” reminiscent of the biblical Tower of Babel. In that story, humanity, once united by a single language, faced division as their languages were confounded. Yet, the story also held a vision of unity and understanding—a vision that resonated with what Manu hoped to achieve through his e-learning platform.
A Vision Reborn
While the initial vision of Babele as an e-learning platform did not materialize beyond the conceptual stage, the spirit of the name lived on. In 2009, while completing his Master’s in Rio de Janeiro, Manu found himself needing to conceive a new business model, this time focused on Sustainability. It was here that the vision for Babele was reborn, but with a broader scope: achieving social innovation through open collaboration.
The name “Babele” once again proved to be the perfect embodiment of this vision. This new iteration of Babele aimed to build a “tower” not of stones but of collective effort, shared dreams, and open collaboration—a tower built not on ambition and pride but on a cohesive society working together for a sustainable future.
The Journey Continues
Today, Babele stands as a testament to the power of dreams, collaboration, and the belief in a united future. As we reflect on our journey, we’re reminded of the countless individuals and organizations that have joined us in building this “tower.” Each collaboration, each project, and each innovation has been a step towards realizing a vision where we can all speak a common language of change and progress.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this journey—our partners, our collaborators, and the communities we serve. Together, we’ve proven that unity, collaboration, and innovation can lead to meaningful social impact. And together, we will continue to reach for the heavens.
As Babele evolves, our commitment to open collaboration, social innovation, and sustainability remains unwavering. We invite you to join us on this journey, to share in our dreams, and to contribute to a future where we can all understand each other a little better, one project at a time.
Together, we are Babele. Together, we can build a better world.