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NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Contributor.

Rob Katz

After co-founding NextBillion.net and spending 8-plus years working at the intersection of business and international development, Rob Katz is currently pursuing a MBA at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

 

Prior to Stanford, Rob was Acumen Fund’s Knowledge Manager, leading Acumen’s efforts to understand where markets work –and where they don’t – in terms of solving the problems of poverty. Most recently, he co-authored From Blueprint to Scale: The Case for Philanthropy in Impact Investing(Monitor Group and Acumen Fund, 2012.) In addition to writing reports, he was responsible for applied research and writing efforts across the firm; he also oversaw Acumen’s knowledge management systems.Rob joined Acumen Fund in 2008, managing online communications as well as knowledge before shifting full time into applied research work.

 

Before Acumen Fund, Rob worked with the Markets and Enterprise Program of the World Resources Institute, where he began his career researching, writing and speaking about “base of the pyramid” business approaches to poverty alleviation. At WRI, he co-founded www.NextBillion.net, a web site and blog about enterprise and development, and co-authored The Next 4 Billion: Market Size and Business Strategy at the Base of the Pyramid (IFC and WRI, 2007).

 

Here at NextBillion, Rob is both a member of our Advisory Board and a contributor to the blog.

 

Rob earned his B.A. in Political Economy from Georgetown University.

 

Follow Rob on Twitter @robertkatz.

 

Articles by Rob Katz

  • Monday
    September 21
    2009

    Rob Katz

    BoP Conference Updates – A Busy Fall Ahead

    For those interested in the base of the pyramid (BoP) space, it will be a busy fall as many conferences and events are upcoming. I’ve just updated the Take Action page here at NextBillion, but in case you are not in the habit of checking it regularly, here’s a rundown of the events coming up, along with some commentary.

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  • Tuesday
    September 15
    2009

    Rob Katz

    Apply Now! Lemelson-MIT Awards

    The Lemelson-MIT Awards honor both established and rising inventors for their ingenuity, creativity and contribution to invention and innovation. The awards recognize the profound impact that inventors can have on economic and social well-being.

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  • Monday
    September 14
    2009

    Rob Katz

    Social Capital Markets 09: SME Finance in Developing Countries

    Day 1 of SoCap09, and I was already conflicted. Sonal Shah’s keynote address had ended and there I stood as 800 folks milled about, trying to decide: which of these awesome panels should I choose - and, by association, which will I have to miss? After quick deliberation, I took off for SME Finance in Developing Countries...and I’m glad I did.

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  • Wednesday
    September 9
    2009

    Rob Katz

    Pop!Tech Announces 2009 Social Innovation Fellows

    As if on queue - and on the heels of SoCap09 - Pop!Tech, a leading ideas summit and social innovation network, today announces its 2009 class of Social Innovation Fellows. This will be the second class of Fellows - last year the cohort included innovators ranging from Mobile Metrix to Pharmasecure to Por Fin, Nuestra Casa to Ushahidi to...

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  • Saturday
    August 29
    2009

    Rob Katz

    BoP Narrative Essay Competition Announced

    The 2009 BoP Narrative Competition has been created to help identify cutting-edge experiences of business innovation in underserved or marginalized communities. Winning submissions must clearly articulate a business challenge that an organization working in low-income communities is striving to overcome...

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  • Wednesday
    August 12
    2009

    Rob Katz

    Introducing Staff Writer Phil LaRocco

    The NextBillion.net team is proud to announce the addition of our newest member: Staff Writer Phil LaRocco. Phil is the founder of E+Co, the leading practitioner of the enterprise-centered model of investing in energy businesses in developing countries. Until his retirement in April 2009, LaRocco also served as E+Co’s Executive Director and CEO.

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  • Tuesday
    August 11
    2009

    Rob Katz

    Legatum Center Photo Contest Now Accepting Submissions

    In contrast with images that show only the most devastating aspects of life in low-income countries, Legatum’s contest looks for photos that capture stories of entrepreneurial activity and demonstrate innovation and empowerment. The contest helps Legatum present a new vision for development ? one that is more dignified, one that is more...

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  • Wednesday
    August 5
    2009

    Rob Katz

    SoCAP09: 358 More Reasons to Attend

    SOCAP09 is less than 4 weeks away. Will you be there? Francisco will. I will. Brian Trelstad will. So will Alvaro Rodriguez...and many more. Do you need reasons to come? How about these three reasons why you need to be there?Need more? Well, how about these 358 MORE reasons!?

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