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Electrifying India, With the Sun and Small Loans
A few years ago, the hundred or so residents of Paradeshappanamatha, a secluded hamlet in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, gathered along the central pathway between their 22 densely clustered homes, and watched as government workers hoisted a solar-powered streetlamp. As the first display of electricity in the town, it was an object of mild interest, but, being outside, the light didn’t help anyone cook or study, and only attracted moths.
- Region
- South Asia
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Social enterprises increasingly getting more capital, from impact and venture capital funds
GoCoop now has 250 cooperatives on its ecommerce platform and B2B customers include the likes of Levi's and Reliance Retail. While Devireddy used his savings of 10 years and funds from his colleagues to get his dream project off the ground, the startup later raised seed funding and is currently in the process of closing its Series A round of funds, both from impact investors.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- impact investing
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The Most Popular Posts of 2015: Which One Most Influenced You?
For the fourth year in a row, we're launching our Most Influential Post of the Year Contest – think of it as a listicle that you control. Below are the 12 most viewed articles on NB by month. Please read or re-read them and then vote for your favorite(s).
- Categories
- Agriculture, Education, Energy, Environment, Health Care, Impact Assessment, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Ebay Philanthropist Funds ‘Cryptocomplex’ Cash for Central Banks
Central banks around the world say they want to drive financial inclusion, especially since telecoms operators have provided them with an object lesson in how this can be done with digital money.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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NextBillion’s Most Popular and Most Shared Posts in the 4th Quarter of 2015
Our most-viewed and most-shared blog posts from the months of October, November and December explored the history and future of impact assessment, a randomized control trial around financial inclusion in Afghanistan and technology solutions for mitigating the youth jobs shortage.
- Categories
- Education, Health Care, Impact Assessment, Investing
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Zephyr Peacock, Omidyar Network invest Rs 100 Crore in Swarna Pragati
Bengaluru-based private equity funds Zephyr Peacock and Omidyar Network have picked up about 15 per cent stake in housing microfinance firm Swarna Pragati for about Rs 100 crore, people close to the development said.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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Why Silicon Valley is failing when it comes to social impact investing
Lately there is a lot of buzz in Silicon Valley about social impact investing. Startup executives and venture capitalists with an earnest gleam in their eyes increasingly talk about using hi-tech to make the world a better place for everyone — rather than just vying for the multimillion-dollar exit. It sounds great in principle, but when it comes to social entrepreneurship, how many Silicon Valley investors are actually willing to put their cold hard cash on the line?
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- impact investing
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Is There A Funding Gap in Impact Investing?
Are you a young professional? Want to start investing in companies that inspire you? You don’t need loads of money to be an investor. Just the right tools and mindset, according to this startup.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Tags
- impact investing
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