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Engaging Peer-to-Peer Networks for Enterprise Selection: A New Pilot VC Model for the Impact Sector
Ross Baird, executive director of Village Capital (VilCap), identified one of the sector’s main problems: even though there are over 300 funds that label themselves as impact funds, fewer than five will invest in deals that are $250,000 or less. VilCap aims to radically democratize this mismatch between investors and impact enterprises.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Tags
- venture capital
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The FOUND Middle: Arogyam Organics
As part the "FOUND Middle" series, we share this interview with Kanmani Arumugasamy of Arogyam Organics Pvt. Ltd. Based in India, Arogyam works to promote organic products and improve the quality of life of local farmers by reducing middle man costs. This video is one of many highlighting businesses and organizations making up the "missing middle."
- Categories
- Agriculture, Investing
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Bridging the Investor-Entrepreneur Gap
India has developed a well-deserved reputation as a hotbed of social enterprise activity. Yet, India’s wealth of ventures face significant challenges in their efforts to build and then scale. Guidance from seasoned investors who have analyzed countless enterprises is critical, and the driving force behind the Sankalp Investor-Entrepreneur Clinics.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- venture capital
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ANDE Moves From Analysis to Action
While it still represents "pocket change" compared to the heavy hitters of private equity and microfinance institutional lending, the small and growing business investment sector is growing. This was the prevailing view from the annual Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs Conference 2011, the organization’s third such summit.
- Categories
- Investing
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With Video: From Strawberries to Solar Lamps, Why Profit is the Only Way to Scale
In a wide-ranging discussion with The Economist Columnist Matthew Bishop at the ANDE Annual Conference 2011, Paul Polak, serial entrepreneur and BoP thought leader, said SMEs need to think BIG. Polak used to say don’t bother if you don’t plan to reach one million customers. Today, he thinks in terms of 100 million. Watch the full video discussion.
- Categories
- Investing
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The FOUND Middle: An ANDE Video Series
ANDE is all about identifying and supporting businesses that are often too large for microfinance, but too small for traditional financing (AKA: the missing middle). But "missing" implies this sector doesn’t exist, when in fact there is a thriving ecosystem of small and growing businesses. Today, we’re launching video series that spotlights them.
- Categories
- Investing
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SOCAP11: Breaking Down Barriers to People Powered Capital
"Why is it illegal for me to invest even $100 in the business of my choice?" The kick-off session on the democratization of impact investing tackled the tough questions, such as how can we channel the massive amount of capital latent in the 98 percent of people may want to invest in a venture, but who are not "accredited investors."
- Categories
- Investing
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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."
- Categories
- Investing
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