Remember IPEG (International Private Enterprise Group)? We've written about it in the past, and have mentioned the nascent DC chapter as well. A quick reminder: the group aims to create an opportunity for professionals interested in the intersection between business and development to network, learn from each other and hear from leaders in the field.

At IPEG meetings, we discuss cutting-edge work in investing in emerging economies, sustainable enterprise growth, 'Base of the Economic Pyramid' concepts, heath and technology innovations that serve low-income communities, and many others. For those working in and around Washington, we are excited to announce that this month's meeting of the International Private Enterprise Group will take place on Thursday, January 25 at 6:30 PM in Oxfam's main conference room. This month's meeting is organized around a general theme: Venture Capital and Private Equity for Development. Ben Powell from Agora Partnerships will share more about his challenges raising and running a fund in Nicaragua, as will another expert from the field (to be confirmed). Update: Wayne Farmer, Vice President of Next Steps Research, has been confirmed as our second speaker.

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The Rockefeller Foundation is partnering with InnoCentive to offer an innovative way of solving the science and technology challenges faced by the world’s poorest citizens.

InnoCentive is a privately-held company that provides a web-based service to Fortune 500 companies to tap into a global community of scientists for solving R&D problems. From the “seeker,” InnoCentive collects an annual service fee for the use of its platform and also for posted questions. In addition, InnoCentive receives a commission on awards made by the “seeker” to the “problem solver.” So, for a relatively modest fee and comparatively minor effort (to formulate the R&D question and vet solutions), “seekers” significantly increase their research capacity.

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Editor's note: NextBillion staff writer Courtland Walker recently returned from a 10-day trip to Rwanda. Over the next week, he will post reflections on his trip as part of the Rwanda Journal series.

The most recurrent thought during my time in Rwanda was, "What’s the first step?" I kept doing a hypothetical in my head: You have a million dollars. Do you pave roads? Do you put up more power lines? Do you put a floor in every house? A bed net? Do you buy tractors? Fertilizer? Laptops? Cell phones?

"People don't need electricity, they need jobs." That response, from my sister who has been in-country for three and a half years and seen first-hand both the education and health systems in Rwanda, has been on my mind since my return.

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