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The (Not So) Dangerous Promise of Impact Investing
As impact investors, we welcome criticism because it will help clarify the role of impact investing within the space. That said, we disagree with many assertions made by Felix Oldenburg of Ashoka Europe recently. The truth is that for-profit social enterprise and impact investing do not limit social impact by taking away dollars from the "idea."
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- Investing
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How Social Entrepreneurs Are Doing More for the Environment Than Tree Huggers
Could it be that by working to cure the ills of poverty, we are in fact "saving the planet?" Is it possible that #SOCENT is doing more to save the polar bears than solar roofing companies? My answer: maybe, probably. It’s not that the environmental movement is erroneous, but rather that it lacks an emphasis on poverty reduction.
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- Uncategorized
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Striking a Balance: GIIN Leader On Impact Investment’s Role, Critics and Future
Not every investment is an impact investment; not every enterprise can (or should) be funded by impact investors. In our interview, Amit Bouri, Director of Strategy and Development at the Global Impact Investing Network, defines impact investing, discusses its role in the sector, responds to recent criticism of the field and charts a path forward.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- impact investing
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Friday Roundup 7/1/11: Kiva Launches First ’Kiva City’ in Detroit
The new Kiva City initiative combines the power of civic leaders, community organizations, and financial institutions. Rolling out first in Detroit, Kiva has partnered with Michigan Corps and ACCION USA to bring financial inclusion to a city that is wholly determined - from the government level to the individual level - on working collaboratively.
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- Uncategorized
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Building a Network to Scale Up Technical Assistance
Newly budding networks where high impact businesses are coming together to develop tools, strategies, and best practices for a wide variety of contexts across the developing world. Last month, the Grassroots Business Fund hosted a two-day management training workshop in Nairobi, Kenya to help existing GBF clients gain tangible management skills.
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- Uncategorized
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Back From the Brink: How Good Governance Spurs Growth in Post-War Liberia
Liberia has become much friendlier to entrepreneurs and business interests since President Sirleaf took office. The average number of days required to start a business plummeted from 68 to 20. (The worldwide average is 24). The number of start-up procedures required to register a business dropped from 10 to five, below the global average of 7.8.
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- Education
- Tags
- academia
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Fishing for Technical Assistance: How TA Investments at the Client Level Impact BoP Markets
Despite adding cost to business models, can technical assistance investments at the client level seed success and sustainability in the housing industry? Can TA to clients build capacity among BoP consumers, unlocking market potential beyond the initial transaction? Ashoka’s Housing for All initiative and the Hilti Foundation are betting yes.
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- Uncategorized
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Taking the Plunge: ’Journeys for Change’ Dive Into India’s Social Enterprise World
Journeys for Change is no hectic commercial tour. Rather, it’s more of a pilgrimage. Over the course of nine days, Journeys for Change connects you with real people implementing real change with well-functioning models. You will slow down, reflect, and become more grounded in the realities of the field-and the possibilities in store.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Social Enterprise
