What defines a Base of the Pyramid (BoP) business? Here at NextBillion.net, our goal is to identify and discuss sustainable business models that address the needs of the BoP.

We have had many debates about the size, total income and expenditure of this group. NextBillion is currently hosting some debate about what development means. At the same time, we've been thinking about the role and importance of BoP businesses within the development community thanks to Michael Edwards' criticism of 'philanthrocapitalism'. But what exactly do we mean about when we talk about BoP businesses?

Everything BoP is currently in fashion. The 'BoP business' term is catchy, but unfortunately it has no easy or clear-cut definition. That BoP business initiatives are currently so popular is, of course, a wonderful thing. All of a sudden, people want to consider alternatives to traditional, top-down development.

On the other hand, being fashionable is also dangerous. We – the base of the pyramid movement – risk forgetting the big picture. We're involved in a debate that more and more people are joining, and in the process, we risk diluting the meaning of what BoP businesses truly are.

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