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Chu, Rodriguez Form Social Enterprise VC Fund
Michael Chu , co-founder of Pegasus Capital , a South American private equity firm and Alv?ro Rodr?guez Arregu? , former CFO of restructured glass manufacturer Vitro have teamed up to launch Ignia. The venture capital firm is focused on investing in and developing commercial and socially inclusive enterprises for the lowest socio-economic sectors. Rodr?guez says the fund will concentrate its first phase of operations in Mexico, but hopes to expand ...
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The Wealth of Nations
A country’s competitive edge can spread industry to industry, like a disease The economies of poor and developing countries often depend almost exclusively on a single product?perhaps timber or coffee?or on a handful of products at most. That’s hardly a startling observation, but what’s puzzled economists over the years is why it’s been so difficult for these countries to start up new activities in the hope of spurring economic growth and lifting themselves out of poverty.
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In Turbulent Pakistan, Start-Ups Drive a Boom
Pakistan’s political scene is growing more clouded, but a clear demonstration of confidence in the country’s future is coming from an emerging economic force: entrepreneurs. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan’s political scene is growing more clouded, but a clear demonstration of confidence in the country’s future is coming from an emerging economic force: entrepreneurs. Scores of new businesses once unseen in Pakistan, from fitness studios to chic coffee shops to hair-tr...
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New Survey Reveals That Employees Believe Companies Should Join the Fight against Global Poverty
You might consider the fact that more than a billion people in the world live on less than a dollar a day motivation enough for every profitable company to contribute to the fight against extreme global poverty. But contributing - while seemingly simple - becomes staggeringly complex when terms like strategic philanthropy, accountability and measurement are involved. As more and more companies design and implement philanthropic programs ...
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Energy Poverty and Political Vision, Alejandro Litovsky
The delivery of affordable, reliable and sustainable power to citizens is one of the key challenges of the 21st century. Alejandro Litovsky reflects on the importance of political leadership in addressing an acute global problem. Around 2.64 billion people, 40% of the world?s population, lack modern fuels for cooking and heating. 1.6 billion have no access to electricity, three-quarters of them living in rural areas. As decision-makers in Europe and north America wonder how to reduce energy cons...
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CA Wants Intel as Bangladesh’s Partner in IT
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed has urged Intel Corporation to make Bangladesh a partner in its programmes, particularly in IT sector, in order to take advantage of the tremendous business opportunity in a huge market of 140 million people. Fakhruddin also gave assurance of all-out support from the government when visiting Intel Chairman Craig Barrett made a courtesy call on him at his office yesterday. Barrett said Intel is interested in the development of ICT and education...
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Venture Funds Head for Base of Pyramid
Cleantech companies applying new technologies to old problems faced by the world?s poor are attracting funds. But the money?s coming from Silicon Valley venture funds, not NGOs. Venture funds Walden International and New Enterprise Associates (NEA) are looking into funding India-based Novatium, developer of a $100 personal computer. Khosla Ventures invested an undisclosed amount in Stanford University-incubated Cosmos Ignite Innovations in 2006. The company?s $50 solar-powe...
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Taxing Sri Lanka’s Mobile Customers; Goose or Eggs?
Taxes are necessary. The consistent theme of the ’Choices’ columns has been that choices have to be made; that one cannot have the cake and eat it too. Sept 03, 2007 (LBO) - Taxes are necessary. The consistent theme of the ’Choices’ columns has been that choices have to be made; that one cannot have the cake and eat it too. Taxes or inflation The present administration got elected by promising to fight a war, give government employment to all gra...
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