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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.
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- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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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.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Vaccine Storage Hubs in Six Tribal Districts
The state government is gearing up to strengthen the immunization supply chain in tribal districts to further reduce vaccine preventable infants' deaths.
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- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- vaccines
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The Equity Crowdfunding Bandwagon: South East Asia Jumps on Board
Southeast Asia (SEA) represents a burgeoning regional economy comprising of 11 countries with a consolidated GDP of US$2.57 trillion (that’s approximately 15% the size of the US economy), and a combined population of 620 million people. It’s no wonder that there’s a buzz around the potential that the region presents; growing populations, rising wealth of the middle class and a track record of 5.23% GDP y-o-y growth since 2011 form the core pillars of the SEA growth story.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- crowdfunding
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What You Need to Know About the Mobile Wallet War in India
“Buy this through XYZ digital wallet and get Rs. 50 (US$0.75) cashback on every ticket booked,” read a recent email I received from PVR Cinema. I usually receive this a few times a week and it keeps me informed about the latest movies. The bottom of the emails, as seen, are peppered with advertisements for mobile wallets. All of them vying for your attention and begging to pay part of the ticket price on your behalf. All I have to do is make the transaction through them.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- digital payments
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First Medical Technology Incubator Created in India
India is a country known for its rich culture and amazing food, but for a country of more than 1.2 billion individuals, medical technologies are largely neglected. That is what makes InnAccel such a unique startup. It’s the first and currently only medical technology incubator in India.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Dubai’s Abraaj Group to Acquire a Majority Stake in India’s CARE Hospitals
Dubai-based private equity investor Abraaj Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Quality CARE India Ltd, which runs chain of CARE Hospitals in the country, from private equity firm Advent International, according to a statement.
- Categories
- Health Care, Investing
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- impact investing
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