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When ‘Hibernation’ Is Not an Option: How a Small Business in India Fought to Stay Alive During the Pandemic
Soon after the COVID-19 lockdown started, Lal10 – a social enterprise that connects India’s indigenous artisans to formal markets – faced cratering demand for its standard products, like saris and other textiles. As Sachi Shenoy at Upaya Social Ventures explains, in order to survive, the company essentially had to start over. She explores how Lal10 managed to quickly pivot to meet the intense demand for personal protective equipment, while continuing to connect its artisans to dignified work – and building a more efficient company in the process.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Social Enterprise
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Nigerian Fintech Startup, Cowrywise, Raises $3 Million Pre-Series a Funding Led by Quona Capital
Nigerian wealth management startup, Cowrywise, has announced that it has raised $3 million pre-series A funding.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: Stephanie Cohn Rupp Appointed CEO of Veris Wealth Partners
Veris Wealth Partners, a B Corp certified impact wealth management firm, announced today that Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Cohn Rupp has been promoted to CEO. Cohn Rupp’s appointment to the CEO position demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to talent development and its 100% focus on impact investing.
- Categories
- Investing
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General Motors Commits to Being Carbon Neutral by 2040
General Motors is the latest automaker to publicly commit to setting science based targets with the aim of becoming completely carbon neutral by 2040. GM GM +4.3% joins Volkswagen, Ford and others in pledging a move to carbon neutrality although the other automakers have announced a 2050 timeline.
- Categories
- Energy
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Minigrids and Cold Storage Are a Match Made in Sustainable Development Heaven – So What’s Keeping Them Apart?
The minigrid sector faces a dilemma: Most rural customers need electricity in the evenings, yet most minigrids generate their power during the day. This requires them to store unused power in expensive batteries, complement their solar power with diesel generators, or reduce production. As Seth Silverman and Tom Chaplin at Factor[e] Ventures explain, cold storage providers could offer minigrids reliable demand for their surplus power – yet these partnerships aren't happening. They explore the obstacles, and some potential solutions.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy
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Black Businesses Matter: Leveling the Playing Field for Black Entrepreneurs in Africa and the Diaspora
For Black lives to matter, it is critical that we discuss more than just survival, but rather how to enable Blacks to thrive, says Charity Kabango at Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners. She argues that entrepreneurship is a key means to that end, as it empowers Black people to create jobs for themselves and others, and facilitates the flow of wealth within communities. However, limited access to finance and the absence of structured support has held back the development of entrepreneurship among Black people globally. She explores some solutions to this ongoing challenge.
- Categories
- Finance
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African Tech Startups Raise Over $700 Million in 2020 Despite Pandemic
African tech startups raised more funding from more investors than ever before in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Innovex Closes an Equity Investment With GAIA Impact Fund, a VC Fund Dedicated to Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs
Innovex, a Uganda-based startup enabling pay-as-you-go and remote monitoring for solar companies, closed a Series Seed Round with an equity investment from Gaia Impact Fund.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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