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Not Just Another Startup Accelerator in India: How the Financial Inclusion Lab is Shining a Light on Underserved Customers
India today has an accelerator for almost every domain, ranging from fintechs to healthcare. But as analysts at MSC point out, many of these accelerators face a common shortcoming: a lack of inclusivity. They discuss how the Financial Inclusion Lab accelerator avoids that issue, and how it boosts startups to strengthen the financial inclusion movement in India.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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No Light at the End of the Tunnel: Why Social Entrepreneurs Are Susceptible to Burnout – And How They Can Prevent It
Starting a business is hard – whether it's a tech company or a social enterprise. Both technology and social startups face an endless set of problems and long, grueling work hours. But as Sam Alhadeff at Finding Impact points out, social enterprises lack the "light at the end of the tunnel" of a large potential pay-out from an acquisition or IPO. He shares several ways social entrepreneurs can avoid burnout and achieve long-term personal and professional fulfillment.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Agency Banking and Off-Grid Energy: Banking the Unbanked Through Solar
In rural Africa, off-grid renewable energy products are gaining momentum - but their upfront cost can make them inaccessible to low-income customers. Commercial banks have struggled to penetrate these markets, but Thelma Obiakor at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa explains that this is now changing. Thanks to agency banking, financial services and solar companies are providing a bridge to both energy access and greater financial inclusion.
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Unicorns vs. Camels: Three Lessons for Building Resilient Businesses – Despite the COVID-19 Crisis
As COVID-19 continues to transform the global economy, many businesses are shifting towards safety and longer-term thinking. But as Alex Lazarow at Cathay Innovation points out, many social entrepreneurs have been building sustainability and resilience into their business models from day one. He contrasts the approach of these "camels" to the growth-at-all-costs model common among "unicorns."
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Social Enterprise
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From Student to Entrepreneur: 18 Tips for Starting a Career in Social Impact
Each year, hundreds (if not thousands) of engaged students eagerly learn the art of social change. But does a career in social impact really begin in the classroom, or out in the “real world?” Long-term social entrepreneur Ken Banks shares a few of the lessons he has learned in practice, which could help students and others start their careers in social innovation.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Four Lessons Utility Providers Can Learn from the Financial Inclusion Sector
Over 1 billion people lack reliable access to essential services like sanitation, potable water and electricity - and reaching them remains a stubborn challenge. But as Jacob Winiecki and Malika Anand at BFA point out, the financial inclusion industry has learned a lot about how to serve low-income customers in remote communities. They share four key lessons in this thought-provoking article.
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Weathering a Perfect Storm – Part 2: Seven Ways Fintechs Can Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the financial services industry – particularly in emerging markets. In the second article of this two-part series, analysts at MSC explore seven key measures fintechs are taking to stay relevant, augment their recovery and build their resilience during the crisis.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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Weathering a Perfect Storm – Part 1: The Challenges Facing Fintechs in Emerging Markets During COVID-19
Fintechs have proven their potential to deliver financial services to low- and middle-income customers in emerging markets. But even the most innovative approaches can fail in an economy devastated by COVID-19. In this article – the first in a two-part series – analysts at MSC explore the challenges and opportunities the pandemic brings to the fintech sector.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
