NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Results

• Blog Post
  Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Reflections on the next wave of water innovation

  Paul Polak believes that the solution to expensive and often dirty diesel powered water pumps in emerging market lies in fundamentally re-engineering the affordability of solar powered (solar photovoltaic) pumps. His new company, SunWater is developing a 2 kilowatt solar-powered pumping system that can do the same job as a 5 horse power diesel pump, coupled with drip irrigation and water storage solutions, to boost yields for small farmers.

• Blog Post
  TOMS Shoes and Consumerism’s 3 Biggest Sins

  Unlike impact investing, which is often funded by rich angel investors, conscious consumerism allows middle class individuals to make philanthropy part of their daily lives. Unfortunately, the movement remains controversial because companies like TOMS don’t prioritize a lot of things that “normal” social enterprises do. Here are conscious consumerism’s three biggest sins.

• Blog Post
  Friday Roundup: Feb. 15, 2013

  As you may know, I am helming NextBillion while managing editor Scott Anderson is off tending to more important matters. I expect, or should I say I hope, Scott will be back towards the end of next week.

• Blog Post
  Weekly Roundup: Help Us Pick the Most Influential Post of 2012: Vote early and often

  OK, if you’re like me you’re probably getting tired of the “Best of 2012” lists. But I hope you can handle just one more, especially because this is one list that you can influence.

• Blog Post
  Weekly Roundup: Giving the Gift of Social Enterprise, But How? : Help us build a list of for social enterprise giving/investing

  It’s that time of year when charitable giving spikes. As the tax year comes to a close, many Americans scramble to make donations to help their fellow man – contributions they can also deduct from their taxes. But what about donations to help spur social enterprises serving the poor or helping the environment? Let’s make a list.
  

• Blog Post
  Week 1 is Done: Let us know what you think of NextBillion Health

  Your feedback on NextBillion Health Care will help us improve the blog. Let us know what you think, and where we should focus our coverage going forward.

• Blog Post
  Now In Its ‘Junior’ Year, Unreasonable Institute is Open for Business as Unusual

  When American high school students enter their junior year (their third of four years of high school) they face tests that will determine which colleges they may (or may not) attend. Those in sports are expected to compete and perform at the varsity level. They move from underclassmen to upperclassmen. In short, the stakes are upped.
  For the Unreasonable Institute the stakes are upped as well. This could, and by all means should, be an inflection year.

• Blog Post
  D-Rev’s Design Sense: Connecting World-Class Products With World Needs

  Krista Donaldson, CEO of Design Revolution, says innovators need to be flexible. D-Rev visited hundreds of clinics and hostels when designing "Brilliance," which uses blue light to treat newborn jaundice that can lead disability or death. "We found that the need we originally identified was not actually the most practical place to start."