-
Bringing social change to the dinner table, one rice bowl at a time
“I wouldn’t say I intended to venture into social entrepreneurship, but I’ve always wanted to make a difference. It took me about 15 years to really start this (Siam Organic) and prior to that, I was thinking about tackling the various problems faced by the world,” Neil tells The Edge.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
In Cambodia, a bold teaching program draws on international models and local context
The program is the first of its kind in Cambodia, where founder Siv Monirath, or Moni, hopes the global model can gain a foothold in his country. A staunch advocate for educational equality, Moni has firsthand experience of the difference that the right or wrong type of schooling can make.
- Categories
- Education
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
Press release: Indonesia Takes First Steps Towards a Digital Fiat Currency Solution with eCurrency
The digital fiat currency solution initiative is to be part of Indonesia’s FinTech regulatory sandbox designed to promote and facilitate financial technology innovation in the country. While multiple mobile money solutions exist in Indonesia, the lack of interoperability and challenges to regulate them have hindered the adoption and development of digital financial services and true financial inclusion for all Indonesians. The eCurrency solution overcomes these challenges.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech
-
Lusia Kiroyan: Empowering female inmates through batik-wearing dolls
Since setting up the Cinderella from Indonesia Center (CFIC) foundation in 2012, she has empowered over 740 female inmates at two penitentiaries in Riau Islands and one in Jakarta to make dolls with dresses made of used batik attire or fabrics.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
Why is Asia lukewarm to sustainable investing?
Investors in Asia, a region made up of numerous emerging markets that have made economic growth a priority, typically take a shorter-term view on investments. Coupled with a lack of government initiatives to drive sustainable investing, Asian investors and their fund managers have lagged far behind their western counterparts in embracing “ESG investing” – the inclusion of companies’ environmental, social and governance performance as criteria in fund allocation decisions.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- ESG, impact investing
-
Mongolia’s Untapped Lending Market Has Earned This Japanese-Backed Fintech Startup A $30M Valuation
In Mongolia, where the average monthly income is $390, informal loans between friends or family members are commonplace as credit and small bank loans are hard to get. On the other hand, small informal loans are almost expected to not be paid back.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
Accelerating fintech in China
In 2016, investment in mainland Chinese and Hong Kong fintech ventures totaled $10.2 billion, exceeding North America’s $9.2 billion. Many domestic financial services and e-commerce conglomerates are supporting Chinese fintech startups.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- fintech, startups, venture capital
-
Chinese money dominates bitcoin, now its companies are gunning for blockchain tech
I meet Jack Liao, who runs a bitcoin mining firm called Lightning Asic. He leads me through a dark hutong, coming to a set of carved wooden double-doors. Pushing them open, we enter into the courtyard of a palatially renovated villa. This is my first look at the elusive “bitcoin club.”
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- blockchain, cryptocurrency, fintech
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter, "NextBillion Notes"
Published each Wednesday, our e-newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with a selection of news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage — and regular conference ticket giveaways.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.