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The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has people with big Rolodexes that extend into high levels of government, philanthropy, public health, and Big Pharma. Now the organization has hired someone to open doors to biotech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
Gates Foundation Lures Biotech VC to Work on Global Health StartupsNews
Using the sun instead of fuel to cook is an important innovation for the developing world, where fuel is scarce and fumes from burning can be deadly. This stove doesn’t just use the sun--it uses the sun to heat up salt until it melts.
A Stove That Cooks With Molten SaltNews
Should entrepreneurs focus solely on growing their business or also be concerned about social causes such as sustainability, women's empowerment, equality or the local economy?
When Does Being Socially Responsible Hurt Your Business?Blog Post
Historically, expansion of basic service access has been hindered by the costs and slow speed of expanding “the grid.” Yet there is no longer any need to move at the pace of grid expansion; technology to offer basic services safely and affordably, without relying on grid electricity, is here today. Interestingly, this opportunity to reach the poorest has been created by the insatiable demand in richer countries for what is in our pockets, handbags and briefcases.
Productive Consumption: How high-end technology enables market-driven service delivery for the BoPBlog Post
Direct sales agent models are generating a lot of buzz in BoP health care. By recruiting local sales teams to sell health products directly to their communities, social enterprises hope to improve health, provide an income for the salespeople – and make a profit. But can they overcome the challenges of working at the BoP? The SHOPS project studied several approaches in Africa, and lead researcher Michael Kubzansky discusses what works – and what doesn’t – in part 2 of our Q&A.
Avon, Amway … Africa?: Can the direct sales agent model work for health goods at the BoP? Part 2Blog Post
It’s not easy marketing health products to the BoP. Challenges range from remote distribution to customers’ limited awareness of the products’ benefits or correct usage. That’s why some companies are recruiting local sales teams to sell health products directly to their communities. But how can the Avon/Amway model work for low-margin goods at the BoP? The SHOPS Project analyzed five business models in Africa over 16 months. In Part 1 of this Q&A, lead researcher Michael Kubzansky describes its findings.
Avon, Amway … Africa?: Can the direct sales agent model work for health goods at the BoP? Part 1News
Legislation to regulate and supervise microfinance institutions, including finance companies and banks accepting deposits from the public, will be introduced in Parliament.
New legislation to regulate micro finance companiesNews
Some innovations spread fast. How do you speed the ones that don’t?
Slow Ideas
