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The Other Capital in Impact Investing: Why Human Capital May Matter More than Money, and What Investors Can Do About It
Money is not enough for impact businesses to succeed, according to Paul Breloff of Shortlist; they need an answer to their human capital challenges to unlock their world-changing potential. Here he discusses why human capital matters, why it's being under-supported by impact investors and what it will take for more investors to see it for what it is – an area of great opportunity.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
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How ‘Designing Under the Mango Tree’ Can Prevent Digital Solution Hiccups
Like an off-road vehicle, when you build a digital solution, you want to build with the most challenging environments in mind. Why? So the digital solution can scale with fewer hiccups, as it grows outward. Mobile services company Dimagi calls it “designing under the mango tree,” and it requires working in partnership with a variety of end users. It's hard work, Kathryn M. Clifton writes, but worth it.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise, Technology
- Tags
- data, partnerships, product design
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Why Alternative Lending Struggles to Scale in Emerging Markets – And What Fintech Companies Can Do About It
Fintech models have proliferated in most developing countries, but alternative lending has struggled to gain scale. That's why FIBR, a project by consulting firm BFA in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation, is bringing together fintechs and banks to use networks of small businesses – shops, clinics and even local schools – to deliver digital financial services to low-income customers.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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A Toolkit to Identify Sustainable, Market-Based Energy Solutions in Off-Grid Areas
The MIT D-Lab, working with Mercy Corps, developed the Energy Assessment Toolkit to help organizations with strong connections in off-grid communities assess local energy needs, and select and implement market-based solutions that meet those needs. The toolkit includes surveys and interview guides that an organization can use to gather information from a range of stakeholders.
- Categories
- Education, Energy, Telecommunications
- Tags
- supply chains
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Machine Learning Meets Credit Scoring: How it Can Help Reduce Loan Delinquency Costs
Investment in predictive algorithms for credit scoring is a no-brainer for sophisticated digital financial service providers. Brick-and-mortar financial institutions that are just beginning to explore technology applications should follow suit, according to BFA, because credit scoring optimizes three business layers that improve the overall bottom line.
- Categories
- Finance
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The Great Equalizer: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Heart Health Care More Accessible
Cardiotrack began as a three-lead ECG machine but has evolved into a complete cardiac care platform designed to make heart health care delivery more accessible, especially in underserved areas. The firm is now using artificial intelligence analytics, Internet of Things sensors and cloud-based storage to diagnose cardiovascular disease, and even (potentially) to predict and forestall heart attacks.
- Categories
- Health Care, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Beyond ‘Pilotitis’: Three Critical Success Factors for National Digital Health Strategies
The ecosystem of digital health solutions and programs remains disjointed and many countries are moving toward the complex task of implementing national strategies to coordinate this fragmentation. A new report highlights eight countries that are effectively developing and implementing national digital health strategies, and finds three common success factors.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
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Building an App in Africa: Lessons From an Aspiring Tech Disruptor
The motorcycle taxi, or boda boda, industry is the second-highest employer in Uganda, but is marked by rising crime and road accidents. SafeBoda, founded in 2015, wants to change this through an app that connects its community of trained, professional drivers with passengers who are looking for a safer ride. The company's co-founder discusses what they've learned so far about building an app in Africa.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications, Transportation
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