-
A Heretic in Our Midst
Last month, the Silicon Valley Microfinance Network cosponsored “Microfinance West: The Investment Opportunity Conference.” This event, which brought together some of the leading commercial players in the microfinance field, was heavily geared towards institutional and retail...
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
What Gets Measured Gets Done: Analyzing the WBCSD’s New Tool
Many of us in the base of the pyramid community, myself included, often wonder, “is this business really making a social impact?” Sure, there are real indicators of success, but what action drove that particular outcome? As I ponder the social impact of business, I’m reminded of an...
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Guest Post: Harnessing and Harmonizing: Making Natural Resources and Markets Work for the Poor
Guest blogger Lauren Withey is a research analyst working on the World Resources Report at the World Resources Institute. She is a contributing writer to the newly-released World Resources 2008 - Roots of Resilience: Growing the Wealth of the Poor.By Lauren WitheySofia Begum never imagined...
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Defining a Base of the Pyramid Business
What defines a Base of the Pyramid (BoP) business? Here at NextBillion.net, our goal is to identify and discuss sustainable business models that address the needs of the BoP. We have had many debates about the size, total income and expenditure of this group. NextBillion is currently hosting...
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Guest Post: ANDE Initiative Rolls Out in D.C. ? The Need for Growth and Collaboration
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Entrepreneurship and Development Reception, which marked the launch of the ANDE Network in Washington DC. My biggest takeaway: nothing says more about the bridging spirit of this initiative than the event being co-hosted by organizations...
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Guest Post: 42 People Hiked in Maroon Bells, and…
Guest blogger Virginia Barreiro is the Global Director of the New Ventures Project at the World Resources Institute. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California in San Diego and an M.A. in Latin American Studies from George Washington University.By Virginia...
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Creating a World of Smart Energy: Interview with Kushant Uppal, Intelizon
More than 1.5 billion people in the world live without access to electricity. India alone houses more than 35% of the world’s population without electricity, approximately 579 million people. Kushant Uppal is working to change that. ? After earning a MS and Ph.D. from the University of...
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Beyond Microcredit: Savings, Assets and Financial Inclusion
Last night I attended a reception to launch Global Savings, Assets and Financial Inclusion, a new report issued by Citi Foundation drawing on the conclusions of last year’s Global Symposium on Savings, Assets and Financial Inclusion organized, among others, by New America...
- Categories
- Uncategorized