NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

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. As an Associate Partner, TechnoServe will not be responsible for managing or funding the site, but will play a major role in developing content, editing and marketing.

TechnoServe is one of the longest-tenured members of the “base of the pyramid” community. Founded in 1968, TechnoServe has been helping entrepreneurial men and women in poor areas of the developing world to build businesses that create income, opportunity and economic growth for their families, their communities and their countries. Frankly, TechnoServe was part of the BoP movement before there was a named BoP movement.

With a focus on developing entrepreneurs, building businesses and industries, and improving the business environment, TechnoServe will add tremendous value to the NextBillion community through its orignal content contributions and editorial oversight.. Over the course of four decades, TechnoServe has learned what does and doesn’t work.

For example, TechnoServe recently partnered with the Coca-Cola Company and the Gates Foundation to work with 50,000 fruit farmers in Uganda and Tanzania, helping them double their incomes over the next 4 years. They are also one of the most accomplished facilitators of business plan competitions, which we have covered on NextBillion in the past.

Representing TechnoServe on NextBillion are new Staff Writers Kevin Keepper and Matt Cohen.

Please join me in welcoming TechnoServe to the NextBillion community!