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RSF-Purpose Initiative Responds to Demand for Mission-First Business Models
A grassroots global movement is emerging behind mission-first business models rooted in stakeholder governance—rather than shareholder control—and RSF Social Finance and the Purpose Foundation are collaborating to help that movement grow. Today they released a report that serves as a handbook for companies exploring alternative business structures and financing.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Environment, Finance, Investing, Technology
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A New How-To Guide Chronicles Food and Water Innovators
It's challenging enough to start a business in mature markets, but just try running one in a rural community in a developing country with poor roads and customers who can't pay you. “Innovator Guidebook: Navigating Business Models for the Base of the Pyramid in Water and Energy for Food," highlights lessons from innovators funded by the five-year Securing Water for Food Grand Challenge. The online resource was unveiled today at SOCAP.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Education, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Technology
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Kenyan telco Safaricom’s Alpha incubator faces uncertain future
Safaricom’s Nairobi-based Alpha innovation incubator may have an uncertain future, according to sources - TechCrunch reports.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- incubators, technology
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Amazon Pay Users in India Can Now Pay Their Utility, Mobile and Cable Bills With Alexa
To be sure, Amazon has long allowed users in many markets to purchase items using voice command with Alexa. But this is the first time the American company is letting users pay their electricity, water, cooking gas, broadband and satellite TV bills with voice and Amazon Pay.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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TikTok Makes Education Push in India
The social platform, which is used by more than 200 million users in India every month, said its education program is aimed at “democratizing learning for the Indian digital community on the platform.” (TikTok had 120 million monthly active users in April this year.)
- Categories
- Education, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Southeast Asia’s Booming Internet Economy to Boost Fintech Growth
In the e-Conomy SEA Report 2019, released earlier this month, the companies say that the region’s Internet economy has hit a new milestone, reaching US$100 billion for the first time this year, corresponding to a 39% increase from 2018. The sector is on track to hit US$300 billion in 2025, the report says.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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A Devil’s Bargain to Bank the Unbanked: Why Financial Inclusion Advocates Shouldn’t Trust Facebook’s Libra
As you've likely heard, Facebook has entered the inclusive finance arena, pitching Libra, a global cryptocurrency – ostensibly to promote financial inclusion. But as Digital Equity co-founder Valerie Khan argues, there are plenty of reasons to doubt Facebook's intentions and Libra's “social good” marketing campaign. In fact, she says, "Facebook is not being transparent about its real interest in Libra" – and both financial inclusion advocates and emerging countries should beware.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Flipkart to Foray Into Food Retail With New Entity
Newly registered Flipkart FarmerMart, with an authorised equity capital of Rs 1,845 crore, will sell items produced locally.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- e-commerce, emerging markets, farmers, food
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