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What is Extreme?

The Design for Extreme Affordability program [affectionately called Extreme] creates an environment where students learn to design products and services that will change the lives of the world’s poorest citizens. Using human centered design methods, students work with our international partners on real world problems. After the Program, solutions create impact either through implementation by the partner, new student-led startups, or implementation through another appropriate organization.

The Course

The course is a two quarter, multidisciplinary, project-based course open to Stanford University students (selected through an application process).

Social Entrepreneurship Lab

The Social E Lab provides funding, space, and mentorship over the summer as the student teams take prototyping and testing to the next level.

Design Lab

The Design Lab offers continued support for extraordinary student teams to drive towards real implementation.

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Check Out Our Impact

Browse our project database!

Projects

See video coverage of past projects

Press Page
Students
565
Projects
140
International Partners
58
People Impacted
67160794
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Impact Map

Our Stories

What Past Students & Partners Say

The experience, smarts and energy of both our Extreme teams, coupled with the rigorous design process provided by the d.school, allowed for very significant leaps forward in two different areas. I really believe that the power of a Stanford/miraclefeet team will result in the development of a brace that will have significant impact on the cost and effectiveness of clubfoot treatment on a global scale. And the simple text message tool developed by the other Extreme team is practical, low cost and leverages a technology that is widely available. Both ideas will make major contributions to clubfoot treatment, which in turn will transform the lives of children around the world.

Chesca Colloredo-Mansfeld Co-Founder and Executive Director, miraclefeet, Brazil

Extreme teams have the time and outside perspective to think deeply and creatively about a concept.  The organizational reality for us is that we need to move fast and execute efficiently, and this creates pressure to stick with “safe” ideas.  We leverage the creativity of Extreme teams to explore totally new ideas and keep us thinking outside the box.

David Klaus Proximity Designs, Myanmar

This was my first exposure to the d.school process, and never before in my education have I had such open-­ended prompts and deliverables and such encouragement to be creative! The most appropriate summary is what Prof. Beach said to me when I first asked him about Extreme, “Extreme will change your life.”  You could say I’ve drunk the Kool-­Aid.

Annie Scalmanini Earth Systems, Extreme 2012

I came into Extreme with really high expectations. And I wasn’t disappointed. It is a real gem of a learning experience, one that goes a long way towards validating my b-school expenses, since it’s precisely the kind of work I’d like to do long-term. Knowing just how many hours I haven’t slept for this class, I would still do it again next year if I could.

Ryan Takasugi Graduate School of Business

Extreme will be a class that I talk about for the rest of my life, and will undoubtedly influence my future career choices, management style and approach to problem solving.

Kylan Lundeen Business, Extreme 2012

It has been extremely gratifying to contribute to improving critical medical systems for some of India’s poorest patients, even as these interactions have permanently altered my perspective on a doctor’s role in society. Extreme is perhaps the most important class I have taken in over a decade of medical training – and I am certainly a better physician for it.

Dr. Dhruv Kazi Medicine, Extreme 2012
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Design for Extreme Affordability

2 weeks ago

Design for Extreme Affordability

We're doing it again! Design for Extreme Affordability 2019 kicked off yesterday. The fabulous Marlo Dreissigacker Kohn leading the class to their first prototype build. Projects this year in Brazil, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Uganda. #stanfordextreme2019 #stanfordextreme ... See MoreSee Less

Were doing it again! Design for Extreme Affordability 2019 kicked off yesterday. The fabulous Marlo Dreissigacker Kohn leading the class to their first prototype build. Projects this year in Brazil, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Uganda. #stanfordextreme2019 #stanfordextreme
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Go Marlo Dreissigacker Kohn!

Best class ever!!!

Can you take this course from any of the grad programs?

Go team!

Gogogo!

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Design for Extreme Affordability shared d.light Design's post.

1 month ago

Design for Extreme Affordability

Design for Extreme Affordability alums d.light Design raises $41m to continue growing their Solar and Appliance business.d.light Design successfully raised US$41 Million to finance its rapidly growing Solar and Appliances business from a consortium led by Inspired Evolution and partners which included the Dutch Development Bank FMO, government-sponsored investment funds Swedfund and Norfund.

Wayne Keast, Managing Partner, at Inspired Evolution expressed his excitement to partner with d.light Design, the market leader in the portable solar products and off-grid solar home system market to help address the needs of more than 600 million people in Africa without access to electricity.

Ned Tozun, d.light Design`s co-founder and CEO welcomes the newest funding partner, Inspired Evolution in the family and is confident that their expertise and the strong network will add significant value to expand our product line, launch in new markets and reach out to more customers.

#BrighterFuture #EnablingPossibilities #88mLivesEmpowered

For complete press release visit the link: www.dlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/d.light-41M-Raised-Press-Release-Dec-17-2018.pdf ... See MoreSee Less

Design for Extreme Affordability alums d.light Design raises $41m to continue growing their Solar and Appliance business.
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Design for Extreme Affordability shared Noora Health's post.

2 months ago

Design for Extreme Affordability

Noora Health's latest NICU curriculum works to reduce neonatal mortality. A Design for Extreme Affordability startup and now partner.The last decade has seen a tremendous decline in neonatal mortality rates in India, but a number of preventable deaths still occur. Our latest NICU curriculum specifically targets high-risk newborns and forms part of the push to reduce neonatal mortality to a single digit per 1000 live births by 2030.

#healtheducation #patientcare #health #behaviourchange #baby #goodhealth #noorahealth #noorans #makeadifference #healtheducation #mother #newborn #healthyfamily #nicu ... See MoreSee Less

Noora Healths latest NICU curriculum works to reduce neonatal mortality. A Design for Extreme Affordability startup and now partner.
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Design for Extreme Affordability shared d.light Design's post.

3 months ago

Design for Extreme Affordability

Congratulations to Design for Extreme Affordability alums Sam Goldman and Ned Tozun.d.light founders, Ned Tozun & Sam Goldman, received the ELITE Rising Star Award at a black-tie gala event held to mark the 21st Century Icon Awards 2018 in London.

These awards celebrate the success of the ‘Next Generation’ by helping dynamic entrepreneurs and successful individuals to keep growing and competing on the world stage. Around 300 celebrities, business leaders, socialites, film stars, sports champions, thought leaders and politicians all gathered to witness these global, unique and distinctive Awards.

#21stcenturyiconaward #Eliterisingstar #Nextgeneration #London2018 ... See MoreSee Less

Congratulations to Design for Extreme Affordability alums Sam Goldman and Ned Tozun.
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