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Co-Creating a More Equitable World: The Transformative Benefits of Participatory Design
Technology is often designed for people — not with them or by them. Participatory design, says Sher Vogel of MIT D-Lab, is meant to change that. She explores how the method, which actively involves end-users in the design process, can produce products that are better aligned to people’s needs, while also building the skills and confidence of participants. Vogel explains how the process can be applied to business, technology and humanitarian aid, summarizes some challenges it can present, and shares links to upcoming MIT D-Lab courses that can provide a framework.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Technology, WASH
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Analysis: Corporate Investors Hold the Key to Fostering Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Alarming headlines about women leaving the workforce during the pandemic abound. A quick Google on the topic will yield results including “How COVID-19 Sent Women’s Workforce Progress Backward”, “Women’s COVID-Fueled Exodus from the Workplace Hurts Us All”, “Why COVID-19 Could Force Millions of Women to Quit Work – and How to Support Them” from American Progress, Time and the Forum, respectively.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship
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Press Release: Nuvemshop Raises $90 Million as It Catalyzes E-Commerce and Entrepreneurship Across Latin America
With tremendous momentum over the past year, Nuvemshop tripled its customer base and has been a key enabler of commerce in the region. Latin America is not only a huge market (with over 650 million consumers), it is now the fastest growing e-commerce market in the world, reaching $85 billion in total sales.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Technology
- Region
- Latin America
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Educating the Sustainability Generation: How Universities Can Advance Social Business and Innovation
The world is facing unprecedented challenges, and new economic systems centered around social and environmental impact can help solve them, say Aline Laucke and Ella-Maria Gollmer of Studio Nima. But to build a more sustainable future, they explain, universities need to integrate innovative concepts like social business into their educational models. They explore the benefits – and challenges – of bringing this new focus to higher education.
- Categories
- Education, Entrepreneurship
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South Africa Fintech Startup Nomanini Raises $1.5m Funding Round
South African fintech startup Nomanini has raised a new round of funding worth US$1.5 million from new and existing investors to grow its team, invest in product development and scale its offering.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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How Decentralized Business Models Can Serve India’s Rural Communities During – and After – COVID-19
Centralizing business operations can improve efficiency, but it can also hinder a company's ability to innovate and tailor products for local markets. Mahesh Yagnaraman at Acumen shares how two companies used their decentralized models to quickly address COVID-19's challenges and adjust their offerings accordingly. He explores how these agile models can better identify the needs of their communities, no matter how remote, and reach them effectively.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship
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Analysis: How Nigerian Banks Empower Women Through Corporate Social Responsibility
The benefits of corporate social responsibility practices for businesses include enhanced reputation, legitimacy and customer loyalty. But these practices are not just marketing to make businesses look good. They are also a way to develop markets and sustain business.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Facebook to Provide Grants to Four Women-Led NGOs
Facebook will provide grants to four early-stage women-led NGOs through Facebook Pragati that will focus on boosting women entrepreneurship through the adoption of digital skills and tools.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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