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One nation, under code: How India leads the way in the interoperability of QR code for payments
Thanks to Paytm, the use of QR code as a form of mobile payment made an entry and has begun to impact. The black-and-white sign is sported by kirana stores, vegetable carts and tea stalls all over the country. In the aftermath of demonetization, Paytm made it ubiquitous in their attempt to sign up merchants for acceptance of Paytm wallet.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Reserve Bank of India to Launch Financial Literacy Drive in Nine States
Six NGOs registered with the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund -- CRISIL Foundation, Dhan Foundation, Swadhaar Fin Access, Indian School of Micro Finance for Women (ISMW), Samarpit and the PACE Foundation -- have been selected to execute the pilot project in collaboration with banks.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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India’s great leap into services
India’s growth pattern contradicts an iron law of development that has held true for 200 years, since the start of the Industrial Revolution. This law has argued that industrialization is the only route to rapid economic development for developing countries. The potential for explosive growth was seen only in the manufacturing sector.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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CLEAN launches first “State of the Sector” report on last-mile clean energy access in India
The Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN) (thecleannetwork.org), India’s industry body representing the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector, today launched its first annual “State of the Sector” report. The report highlights the significant progress and innovation made by the sector.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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India’s microfinance institutions are struggling for survival. Here’s why.
Two decades after India-born Americancitizen Vikram Akula founded SKS Microfinance, which was rechristened as Bharat Financial, the industry that delivered livelihood to millions of poor is facing its pincer moment with private banks giving a big push to micro lending.
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- microfinance
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Upaya Social Ventures Selects Next Two Companies for Investment: UpSkill and SMV Green
“We are thrilled to support these two companies as they scale.” Upaya’s CEO Kate Cochran said. “Upaya believes in the power of entrepreneurs to fight global poverty. Mansi and Naveen are exceptional in how deeply they share our commitment to providing jobs and opportunity."
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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Social entrepreneurs need an extra push to scale up and be sustainable
For entities looking to solve SIN (spillover, important, neglected) problems and aiming to bring about social change, the going is not always easy, specially when it comes to scaling up and becoming sustainable.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Aavishkaar, the Modern Day Impact Investor
In October 2001, Aavishkaar (Hindi for ‘invention’) was launched with the money Rai had raised. It’s now part of the parent company, Aavishkaar-Intellecap Group. Intellecap was founded in 2002. The company identifies investable businesses from underprivileged areas and provides the necessary business training.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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