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Viewpoint: Why Microfinance Is Becoming a Bad Word All Over Again in India
Just when everyone thought the microfinance industry – which almost collapsed after the Andhra Pradesh crisis in 2010, when more than 60 persons committed suicide due to indebtedness – is resurgent and poised to touch new heights in lending to the poor, the spectre of another crisis looms on the horizon.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- microfinance
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Health Startups Cry Foul Over Tender
While the country is prepping hard for the launch of the 'Startup India' movement by prime minister Modi on Saturday, most healthcare startups are suffering teething problems; that of selling their products to the government sector. Medical technology startups are struggling to scale up, especially with regard to tapping into the government hospitals market, because of the rigid tendering processes in place. Major challenges at the entry point for these startups include guidelines such as a minimum of three years' industry experience, no single-bidder policy and tenders not being time-bound.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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Remitly Nears $1B Mobile Money Transfer Mark
Remitly, a U.S.-based mobile payments service, is nearing its next milestone. The company announced yesterday (Jan. 12) that its money transfer growth grew more than 400 percent in 2015, giving it close to $1 billion in annualized mobile money transfers. The company noted that December was a record month for the company.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Tags
- remittances
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How a Partnership Led an Outdoor Equipment Company to Start a New Division
When Mountain Safety Research, an outdoor equipment manufacturer, donated gear following the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, the team started to ask whether some of its products might be adapted to meet the needs of remote villages. A deep partnership withPATH, a Seattle-based nonprofit focused on global health innovation, evolved over time and eventually led MSR to launch a global health division last May.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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M-Pesa Rolls Out in Ghana, Expands Into West African Market
Vodafone Group announced the rollout of mobile money platform M-Pesa in Ghana, the 11th market where it has launched the service so far.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Sanofi Pasteur Provides Key Support to the Human Vaccines Project
Sanofi Pasteur is supporting the Project by providing research funding to oversee, coordinate and conduct the scientific and administrative activities of the Human Vaccines Project Research Program this year. The funds will be used by the Project to launch and execute pilot studies, build partnerships with and across the stakeholder community, and set up the infrastructure and operational support for the Human Vaccines Project Research Program, according to Sanofi.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Tags
- vaccines
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Indian Government to Launch Program to Boost Innovation and Entrepreneurship Among Young People
The government is likely to set up an inter-ministerial board on the lines of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to vet proposals to select start-ups who will be eligible for incentives under the Start-up India Action Plan to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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A Bill Gates Backed Fund Is Investing in an Aussie HIV Testing Company
An investment fund backed by billionaire Bill Gates is pouring $6 million into a Sydney HIV and malaria testing company.
- Categories
- Health Care, Investing
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