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The Beauty of Bricks and Mortar: Low-cost Housing as a Foundation for Impact
At Acumen Fund, we feel it is high time for the dynamic to change - for the social enterprise sector to recognize the need to catalyze and support affordable housing across emerging markets. But we know there are forces working against us that cause housing to be treated like the forgotten stepchild of the social enterprise sector.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- housing, impact investing
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Housing Series: Establishing Quality Standards for Affordable Housing
Who enforces building standards? If customers are sold a home with sub-standard construction or materials - or their neighbor builds a dangerously unstable structure - what recourse do BoP citizens have? The certification prices we are developing is not a one-time "stamp of approval." Rather, it starts with pre-building and lasts over time.
- Categories
- Investing
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Bridging the Investor-Entrepreneur Gap
India has developed a well-deserved reputation as a hotbed of social enterprise activity. Yet, India’s wealth of ventures face significant challenges in their efforts to build and then scale. Guidance from seasoned investors who have analyzed countless enterprises is critical, and the driving force behind the Sankalp Investor-Entrepreneur Clinics.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- venture capital
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Unleash Social Impact: Ashoka’s Globalizer and Skoll World Forum
Felix Oldenburg is challenging the mainstream dialogue on social enterprise. I had an insightful conversation with Felix, Ashoka’s Europe and Germany director, and a speaker at the Skoll World Forum. He, along with Konstanze Frischen and Maria Zapata, organized Ashoka’s first-annual Globalizer program that accelerated Ashoka Fellow enterprises.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing, Social Enterprise
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Why Inclusive Growth is Critical for Economic Success in Brazil’s BoP
Racial and gender inequity, sex tourism, cultural tourism, and economic opportunity form a complex intersection in Brazil, though it is one that is shifting. Upgrading labor market access through transportation, education and social policies - and this has already begun. But can Brazil’s tourism industry be shifted to perpetuate greater equality?
- Categories
- Investing
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Exploring the Link between Multinational Corporations and SMEs in Emerging Markets
NV has realized that not all the companies it works with are looking for investment or are at the right stage to receive investment from venture funds. In stead, a fair portion of companies are looking to expand into new markets and obtain contracts from international buyers. Here’s a way for you to contribute to this goal.
- Categories
- Investing, Uncategorized
- Tags
- corporations, MSMEs