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

Are you a key player on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the Sustainable Development Goals?

Join our 2-day SDG Factory during the Accelerate2030 scaling week on the 11th and 12th of October, 2017!

Meet key players in the field, join 5 high profile workshops on accelerating the SDGs, and meet A2030 finalists!

Accelerate2030 believes that a paradigm shift towards sustainable business practices is underway, and we wish to support ventures around the world to scale their business working towards achieving positive social impact in their communities, as well as to support them with internal sustainable corporate culture through our leadership coaching. We believe that the future of business relies on sustainable business practices, and the unique positioning of the programme in Geneva can leverage the potential and networks of many organisations headquartered in Switzerland, as well as the vibrant financial community in the country and rest of Europe.

According to Gallup, “Data shows that demonstrating an interest in improving the consumer’s financial well-being is the biggest driver of consumers’ confidence in their banks.” But how do you do it? CFSI has developed an approach to measuring consumer financial health across four key areas — spending, saving, borrowing, and planning. Through its research and beta-testing with over 25 organizations across the financial services industry, we’re mapping how to turn those measurements into better financial outcomes for banks. Join us for a free webinar discussing our approach, and walk away with: -Why your brand should be in the financial health business, including the value proposition to brand, product, and customer loyalty -A clear framework for measuring customer financial well- being -Ideas for forging relationships between data, product, marketing, and customer experience teams to buy-in to measuring financial well-being -An understanding of what services CFSI can offer to your organization in your journey

The National Association of Investment Companies will host its Annual Private Equity and Hedge Fund Conference October 11-12, 2017, at the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business in Washington, DC. The premier thought leadership event in alternative investments brings together chief investment officers, investment managers, limited partners and policymakers for networking as well as in-depth industry panel discussions. The Conference’s opening event, The Capital Connection: NAIC Awards and Welcome Reception, will be held at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture.  This year’s conference will explore the innovative models deployed by diverse private equity firms and hedge funds, fundraising best practices, and insights into the landscape and outlook for the industry while honoring those firms who have generated stellar returns.

The African continent is rich with diversity – in language, culture, and perspectives – which has fostered innovation and creativity across a broad spectrum of categories. TechCrunch is bringing its experience with Startup Battlefield, one of the world’s premier startup competitions, to Sub-Saharan Africa to discover great early stage companies that have created technology to solve problems and develop the ecosystem within the region.

In the first event of its kind on the continent, TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield Africa 2017, will search for the best innovators, makers and technical entrepreneurs in Sub Saharan Africa. The event will see entrepreneurs and developers compete across three categories: social good; productivity and utility; and gaming and entertainment. It will tell the founders’ stories, uncovering the next wave of disruptive innovations and putting African invention under the global spotlight.

Ned Desmond, COO, TechCrunch adds, “We’re really pleased to be able to bring the first Startup Battlefield to Africa. This is an exciting event, with opportunities to discover the creativity, talent and imagination of startups from across the continent. TechCrunch has held events across the world, and being able to hold Battlefield Africa is a natural progression. We can’t wait to see the results.

Apart from the exposure that comes from pitching to the global TechCrunch audience as well as distinguished technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors live in Nairobi, the overall winner will receive $25,000 in no-equity cash plus an all-expense paid trip for two to San Francisco to compete in Battlefield at TechCrunch’s flagship event, Disrupt SF 2018.