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Surviving the ‘Valley of Death’: A New Funding Database Aims to Help Agtech Companies Avoid Early-Stage Failure
Population growth and climate change are bringing extraordinary challenges to the agriculture sector in emerging markets. But though small- and medium-sized enterprises are essential to addressing these issues, they remain underfunded – particularly in the period before they become profitable (often referred to as the ‘‘Valley of Death’’). Aarno Keijzer at NpM explores these challenges, and presents a free database that NpM has compiled, highlighting funds that can help early-stage agriculture companies bridge this financial gap.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
- Tags
- agtech, business development, data, failure
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PayPal Helps Entrepreneurs With MetLife and Village Capital
PayPal, venture capital firm Village Capital and financial health expert, MetLife Foundation, have come to together to launch Finance Forward – a global coalition to support fresh entrepreneurs.
- Categories
- Finance, Health Care
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Do Inclusive Business Models Need a ‘Safe Space’ to Survive Within Multinational Companies?
Though many are skeptical when multinational corporations proclaim devotion to social impact, Tom Harrison of Business Innovation Facility sees numerous success stories. But these approaches raise an interesting question: Should inclusive initiatives within a corporation be treated the same as any other innovation? Or does their social impact focus justify – and perhaps require – a more lenient approach? He explores both sides of the issue in this thought-provoking post.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Why China’s Next Crop of ‘Techpreneurs’ Are Skipping Home and Eyeing a Fresh Gold Rush in New Markets
China’s tech entrepreneurs are finding that affordable innovation appeals in developing markets.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Low Energy Consumption = Unprofitable Mini-Grids. Is Appliance Financing the Answer?
Over 600 million Africans live without electricity, and mini-grids are a cheap solution to bring power to at least 100 million of them. But the mini-grid business model is not yet sustainable. This is due in part to low levels of energy consumption by rural customers, who often can't afford the high upfront costs of appliances that would increase their energy usage. Analysts at CrossBoundary explore new research on whether offering financing for household appliances can help overcome this barrier.
- Categories
- Energy
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Staying Ahead of the Technical Assistance Curve: Six Lessons from Fintech Startups in India
India is at the forefront of inclusive fintech innovation. But it’s often difficult for Indian fintech startups to build and grow their businesses, while distributing the benefits of their work among their low-and middle-income (LMI) customers. MicroSave Consulting (MSC) is participating in a Financial Inclusion Lab, providing technical assistance to fintech startups serving India’s LMI segment. Authors at MSC share six key insights from their work that could be helpful both to startups, and to the investors, consultants and other organizations that support them.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Flipkart Launches ‘Samarth’ to Empower Indian Artisans, Weavers, Craftsmen
This move will open up national market access for these underserved communities.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Getting Past Doubt: Finding Better Ways for Multinationals and SMEs to Intersect
Developing countries have become increasingly important to multinational companies, with foreign direct investment often outpacing development aid. Meanwhile, the 400 million micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in these countries are facing a wide variety of obstacles to growth. The new Catalyzing SGB Acceleration initiative, launched by TechnoServe and the Argidius Foundation, aims to find common ground between those two worlds. Juan Carlos Thomas and Annie Shoemaker at TechnoServe discuss the new project.
- Categories
- Investing
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