-
The Path Toward Commercialization: How Research Can Generate Business Opportunities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Research universities and labs are important engines of innovation that play a vital role in global business development – and commercializing these innovations can deliver real-world impact. But according to Dana Gorodetsky and Sachin Nijhawan at the William Davidson Institute, there's a lack of expertise and resources related to the commercialization of research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They explore the benefits of commercialization for researchers, institutions and entrepreneurs, and offer four key lessons for commercializing research in LMICs.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Technology
-
Lal10: This Startup Is Building the Alibaba of Indian Crafts Industry
Lal10 is a fast-growing wholesale cross-border sales platform for creative products from India to the world.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
Analysis: Transformation of India’s Digital Economy: The Rise of Developers and Open Source
With contribution from developers, open source is flourishing in India, but what does this explosive growth mean? What is the economic impact of a thriving developer community? Read on to find out.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
African Development Bank Pays $24 Million to Increase Investment in West African Development Bank
The AfDB also approved a line of credit to support businesses in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, particularly in job-creating sectors.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Accelerating Digital Transformation: Why Technology is the Key to Eliminating the MSME Finance Gap in Emerging Markets
According to the IFC, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets face a finance gap of $5.2 trillion every year. Since MSMEs are responsible for 70% of job opportunities in these countries, this gap must be addressed. According to Brian Pallas at Opportunity Network, that’s where digital technologies can offer a solution. He explores how emerging innovations offer alternative, tech-enabled means of financing for MSMEs, and how business leaders and policymakers can support these enterprises' digital transformation.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
-
Scale Is Overrated: Why the ‘Unicorn Industrial Complex’ is Holding Back Social Enterprise and Emerging Markets Business
Social enterprises and small and growing businesses (SGBs) are the focus of a lot of discussion and excitement in the development sector, as seen in recent SGB coverage on NextBillion and other publications. But Jack Foreman at Foresee Advisors argues that this discussion ignores the needs – and essential natures – of the vast majority of these businesses, particularly in emerging markets. He explains why the focus on scale – and investors' search for the next potential "unicorn" startup – overlook the crucial importance of SMEs that are content to remain small or medium-sized.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
-
Report: COVID-19 Brings 10 Challenges That Hinders Africa’s Path to Recovery
Africa faces 10 key governance challenges it must resolve in order for it to fully recover from the Covid-19 outbreak, according to this report by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Asilimia Secures $2 Million To Build the Financial Infrastructure of Africa’s Informal Economy
Asilimia, a startup that is building the digital infrastructure to connect African MSMEs to the formal financial economy, has secured $2 million.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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.