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Taking a Virtual Trip to the Last Mile: How an Innovative Program is Harnessing Virtual Reality to Advance Progress Toward the SDGs
Boosted by growing internet access and fueled by the pandemic, the virtual reality (VR) market has become the fastest-growing media segment, projected to reach US $185 billion by 2026. According to Julia Winterflood at Kopernik, the immersive nature of VR makes it uniquely suited to raising awareness of social challenges, and the technology is finding applications in the global development sector. She explores how Kopernik is leveraging virtual reality videos to document challenges faced by underserved communities and accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise, Technology, Telecommunications
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Why Social Design Projects Fail
Wizbang innovations capture the public’s imagination, but thoughtful, incremental development is often more valuable to those in need.
- Categories
- WASH
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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FSDH Merchant Bank Announces $35 Million Facility From International Finance Corporation to Boost Growth of Businesses in Nigeria
The credit facility will be used to improve access to finance for medium-scale businesses in the emerging sectors of the Nigerian economy.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Esports Start-up Gamerji Raises $3 Million Funding for Business Expansion
As per the company, the funds raised will be deployed for growing the platform in MENA and South East Asia.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Analysis: African Biotech Holds the Key to Transforming Not Just the Health of African People, but Our Economies as Well
African biotech has the potential to create countless new job opportunities for Africa’s young and talented population which could catalyze significant and sustainable economic growth across the continent.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- innovation, vaccines
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The Power of Trust in Digital Finance: How to Leverage Trusted Technology to Maximize Inclusion and Impact
Trust can be a significant barrier to engagement in digital financial services among low-income users. According to William Derban at Opportunity International, that means providers must often take measures to address this trust deficit when developing digital services that target these customers — particularly women. He discusses Opportunity International's new Trusted Tech Microfinance Initiative, and shares six ways the initiative is working to build clients’ trust in the technologies Opportunity and its microfinance partners are using.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology, Telecommunications
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The Urgent Need to Address Climate Impacts on MSMEs: Recommendations for Designing Right-Fit Tools and Solutions
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) provide a critical link to goods and services while generating income for millions of households around the world. But as Bethany Kanten at Mercy Corps Ventures points out, these businesses remain underserved in several areas that are limiting their resilience to key challenges – including climate change. She shares new research based on interviews with hundreds of MSMEs in Africa, which reveals the opportunity for innovators, investors and funders to positively impact these enterprises with climate solutions.
- Categories
- Environment, Investing, Telecommunications
- Tags
- climate change, innovation, MSMEs, research, startups
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HR Tech Firm Keka Raises $57 Million From WestBridge Capital in India
Keka, a Hyderabad-based HR tech firm, has secured India’s largest Series A SaaS funding with a whopping $57 million from WestBridge Capital.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- innovation