Blog

Our Staff Writers and Editors offer insights on the latest news, events, interviews and other happenings from the development through enterprise and base of the pyramid universes

514 Articles

Kenya Dispatch - M-PESA to the Rescue

Since its introduction in 2006, I have been obsessing over an innovative little cell phone service called M-PESA. Launched by Safaricom – Vodafone’s subsidiary in East Africa – the M-PESA service allows Safaricom customers to transfer phone credit wirelessly, through SMS.

Indicorps Fellowships - Apply by March 1

Question: What do you get when you mix equal parts Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy? Answer: The ideal Indicorps Fellow.

Are You Unreasonable? Vote Now!

Were you unreasonable then? If so, then likely you still are. If not, then get with the program! (Just kidding - but seriously - check this out.) Thirty‐four young entrepreneurs, hailing from 19 countries are vying for twenty‐five spots in a ten‐week Boulder‐based incubator called the Unreasonable Institute.

Announcing TechnoServe as a New Partner in NextBillion

We are pleased to announce that TechnoServe has agreed to join the NextBillion community as an Associate Partner. TechnoServe joins World Resources Institute, Acumen Fund and William Davidson Institute as the site's Partners.

Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know: The Philanthrocapitalism Debate

Resolved: Market-based models will save the world. Bishop, New York Bureau Chief of The Economist and co-author of Philanthrocapitalism: How the Rich Can Save the World, spoke in the affirmative. Edwards, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos and author of the newly published Small Change: Why Business Won't Save the World, took up the negative.

BoP Heavyweights Bishop, Edwards and Tooley Coming to NYC

If you are based in or around New York - or have plans to travel there in the coming months - you may be interested in two upcoming events that feature base of the pyramid subjects and experts.

Announcing the William Davidson Institute as a New Partner to NextBillion

We are pleased to announce that the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan has agreed to join the NextBillion community as a Managing Partner. WDI joins the World Resources Institute and Acumen Fund as co-Managing Partners.

The $25K Global Social Benefit Incubator 2010

An emerging program at SCU is getting more and more press every year: the Global Social Benefit Incubator or GSBI. Next year, 20 organizations will be selected for a full scholarship, valued at US $25,000, to participate in 4-months of online preparation and then to attend the intensive two week in-residence program (to be held August 15-28, 2010)

Women in Social Enterprise: Three Conversations

I think I may be starting to figure it out: Joanna is a great listener. She seeks out interesting people and asks them probing questions, listening and capturing fantastic insights. Having seen Joanna in action while working for Dial 1298 for Ambulance - where she conducted surveys of low-income customers, among other things - this is no surprise

Root Capital, E+Co Tap Major New Funding

It must be the (giving) season. Just this week, NextBillion allies and SME investment pioneers Root Capital and E+Co announced $14M each of new investments and grants. Congrats to our friends and colleauges at both Root and E+Co - who have done pioneering work in the agricultural finance and energy finance sectors, respectively.