-
No girl’s period should force her to miss school, and this startup is making sure of that
Twenty years after Bamisaye finished school, Nigerian schoolgirls continue to face the same challenges when they menstruate. So, she decided to do something about it—by creating a startup that provides girls with menstrual hygiene kits in the hope that they'll stay in school.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Bringing Technology to Microfinance in the Age of Data Scandals: European Microfinance Award Seeks Solutions
Fintech advances are often heralded for bringing financially excluded people into the mainstream. But Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent appearance before Congress is a stark reminder of the need for protection from – along with access to – technology. This year's European Microfinance Award is seeking organizations whose tech-enabled financial solutions place client protection at the forefront.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Fintech, Technology
-
Press release: Cold chain technology proving a cool choice for impact investors
AgTech and ‘first mile’ distribution innovator InspiraFarms has just announced the successful closing of €2.5 million Series-A 2 equity investment. The latest round of investment will enable the B-Corp to expand its operations, offering solar-powered cold storage technology and asset financing to a broader base of perishable food producers and distributers across the developing world.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Investing, Technology
-
The Downside to Being Nice: Why is the Social Sector Allergic to Comparative Advertising?
Unlike retailers and manufacturers that use advertising to build their brands and generate sales, the nonprofit and social business sectors are curiously allergic to spending money on advertising – and, more specifically, to saying, "We're better than our competitors, and this is why!" According to Charlie Bresler, former Men's Wearhouse president, this is a major mistake: Now executive director of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, Bresler explores the reasons for this reluctance – and imagines what could happen if the social sector used comparative advertising to attract donors and investors.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
-
NRD Foundation Supports Jibu with First Philanthropic Pledge
The foundation was inspired by Aziz Hashim, the successful multi-unit franchisee that created a franchise-focused private equity firm NRD Capital, to support social entrepreneurs and job growth around the world. The first focus for the foundation is Africa, where NRD Capital already has investments.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Investing, WASH
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Bending the Arc of Humanity – Effective Development of Exponential Technologies to Serve Mankind
Exponential technologies such as big data, the internet of things and artificial intelligence can transform lives in poor countries. But Akhtar Badshah – who led Microsoft’s philanthropic efforts for 10 years – highlights some risks alongside that potential. The main question, he says, is how to bridge the gap between those who quickly benefit from these technologies, and those who are left behind.
- Categories
- Technology
- Tags
- agribusiness, Base of the Pyramid, business development, digital payments, education, entrepreneurship, financial innovation, financial services, fintech, global health, government, health care, healthcare technology, infectious diseases, poverty alleviation, public health, social enterprise, technology
-
How Steve Jobs inspired PARK, a soccer social enterprise that’s on the hunt for $500,000 in equity crowdfunding
As Apple’s former creative director, Davy regularly sat down with Jobs and even worked on developing a “global giving platform” through iTunes. It was a project that never fully eventuated due to Jobs’ health difficulties, but in the following years, Davy kept coming back to the idea of business models that make a solid impact.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
-
No One Should be ‘Scared to Live too Long’ – Innovating Insurance for the Elderly
After a chilling conversation with his family housekeeper about her fear of "living too long" and becoming a burden on her family, Tyron Fouche was inspired to start Nobuntu, an insurance plan for low-income South Africans. Combining an ancient risk-sharing design with modern tools like chatbots and biometric tech, the plan offers customers an income that actually increases as they get older. Fouche discusses Nobuntu's innovative model – and the big challenges it faces – in the latest post in NextBillion’s "Startup Showcase" series.
- Categories
- Inclusive Fintech
Parent Organization
