-
Creating an Exit Strategy for Aid (Part 1): Nonprofit mWater, in striving to eliminate diarrheal disease, runs like a for-profit Silicon Valley startup
The world met the Millennium Development Goal target for water – doubling the number of improved water sources by 2015 – but that accomplishment won't save lives unless those new water sources are safe. Making sure they are is the goal of a nonprofit tech startup, mWater, that's being run like a for-profit tech startup in Silicon Valley.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Health Care, Technology
-
NexThought Monday: The benefits of cross-selling financial products
Formal financial institutions often struggle to justify the business case for serving poor clients. Acquisition costs are high and low balance savings are not sustainable. At the same time, providers recognize that only providing credit to clients may be profitable, but may not develop client trust and longer-term engagement. As a result, cross-selling in recent years has become a popular strategy for financial service providers, including those trying to reach lower-income clients. How can we make it work for everyone?
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Weekly Roundup 9-25-15: The Pope, SDGs and why VW’s eco impact lies matter to social enterprise worldwide
The setting couldn't have been grander for Business Call to Action’s (BCtA) sixth annual forum Thursday in New York City where the Sustainable Development Goals were the focus. The streets were buzzing with anticipation of Pope Francis’ arrival later in the day, but some were disappointed with his climate change pitch. We look at both, plus what B Labs can teach VW.
- Categories
- Environment, Transportation
- Tags
- transportation
-
‘Financial Inclusion for Sustainable Development’: European Microfinance Week Nov. 18th – 20th
European Microfinance Week is a major annual event featuring high level, in-depth discussions by all sectors of the European microfinance community. The conference, which will take place Nov. 18th – 20th in Luxembourg, will welcome over 400 top professionals in the industry, from several dozen countries. NextBillion will be a media partner at the event, providing live tweeting, blog coverage and interviews with key participants.
- Categories
- Finance, Impact Assessment, Technology
-
How Does Economic Empowerment Happen? (Part 2): Tracking the progress of five female entrepreneurs as they take part in a fellowship and grow their businesses
For the next 15 months, the author will follow five women participating in the year-long Vital Voices GROW Fellowship as they undergo training while simultaneously juggling work and home responsibilities. The point is to, at the end, form some conclusions about what training practices bear replicating.
- Categories
- Education, Social Enterprise
-
Previewing the Biggest SOCAP Yet: 140+ sessions, 2,500+ attendees – here’s what’s on tap at this year’s event
On Oct. 6-9, SOCAP, the leading conference on social enterprise and impact investing, will gather over 2,500 attendees at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco. SOCAP15 will feature more than 140 sessions for learning, connecting and meeting peers and potential partners. NextBillion will be a media partner at the event, and you can take advantage of the $500 discount on registration available to our readers until Sept. 30.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- impact investing
-
How Does Economic Empowerment Happen? (Part 1): Listening for answers as five women participate in the Vital Voices GROW Fellowship
This article launches a series on entrepreneurs as part of a wider movement for women’s empowerment. Nathan Rauh-Bieri will follow five women participating in the year-long Vital Voices GROW Fellowship with the ultimate goal of making some conclusions about what training practices bear replicating within the growing field of entrepreneurship education.
- Categories
- Education, Social Enterprise
-
Seeing Solutions Instead of Problems: What happens when 16 Changemakers come together to innovate? They hope to find out Sept. 25–27
Being part of a network not only gives social entrepreneurs visibility and recognition for their innovative work, it also puts them in contact with entrepreneurs from all over the world who, like them, are implementing projects that positively impact communities. That’s the idea behind the Ashoka Globalizer Summit on Economic Inclusion taking place in Buenos Aires, Sept. 25–27.
- Categories
- Education, Health Care, Social Enterprise
