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Staying Ahead of the Technical Assistance Curve: Six Lessons from Fintech Startups in India
India is at the forefront of inclusive fintech innovation. But it’s often difficult for Indian fintech startups to build and grow their businesses, while distributing the benefits of their work among their low-and middle-income (LMI) customers. MicroSave Consulting (MSC) is participating in a Financial Inclusion Lab, providing technical assistance to fintech startups serving India’s LMI segment. Authors at MSC share six key insights from their work that could be helpful both to startups, and to the investors, consultants and other organizations that support them.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Kenya’s Sokowatch Raises Further $2.5m Funding, Expands to Rwanda, Uganda
Kenyan startup Sokowatch, a B2B e-commerce platform supplying informal African retail stores, has expanded into Rwanda and Uganda after securing a further tranche of seed funding worth US$2.5 million in February.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Flipkart Launches ‘Samarth’ to Empower Indian Artisans, Weavers, Craftsmen
This move will open up national market access for these underserved communities.
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- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Ripple Takes Fright at Congressional Pushback on Digital Currencies
In the face of a Congressional onslaught against Facebook and its putative digital currency Libra, Ripple chiefs Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen have penned an open letter to lawmakers urging them not to paint all fiat alternatives with the same brush.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- North America
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Myanmar Telco Frontiir Bags $30M From UK Development Finance Group
CDC's investment will help Frontiir connect over 2 million people on the internet in Myanmar.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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GSMA signs $46.5M funding partnership with DFID
The partnership will unearth critical insights on the needs of the underserved and identify and invest in mobile-enabled innovations and business models which can drive inclusion at scale.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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The Challenges of Going Local: A Medical Device Innovator Faces the Reality of Manufacturing in Rural Africa
Like many enterprises working in emerging markets, Noor Medical wanted to manufacture its product locally. As COO Andrew Bonneau explains, a local approach promised many advantages, from lower costs to a better understanding of its customers. But the company soon learned that manufacturing in developing countries like Uganda is often easier said than done. Bonneau discusses the obstacles the company has faced, and how they've overcome them.
- Categories
- Health Care, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Google Is Using Maps to Try and Bring Order to One of Africa’s Most Chaotic Cities
The service now has a new “informal directions” interface dedicated to traveling with public transport buses, known locally as danfo. The interface will also include danfo fare estimates and levels of busyness at local bus stops.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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