http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2006/09/28/the-business-in-development-challenge Comments for "The Business in Development Challenge" en http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2006/09/28/the-business-in-development-challenge <img src="/image/view/2258" border="0" width="300" height="55" align="left" />The <a href="/event/2006/02/07/bid-challenge-2006-the-international-business-plan-competition-for-poverty-reduction-and-profit">Business in Development Challenge</a>, the world’s first international business plan competition for poverty reduction and profit, is taking place this week in Amsterdam. Hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, NGOs, and government representatives have gathered on the eve of tomorrow’s award ceremony, when a 150,000 Euro prize pool will be divided among 15 or so winners.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.bidnetwork.org/set-140-en.html">BiD Challenge</a> is the product of a partnership between the Dutch bi-lateral development agency, <a href="http://www.ncdo.nl">NCDO</a>, and a local NGO named <a href="http://www.fairventures.nl/">Fair Ventures</a>. Their goal is simple: generate jobs and incomes by boosting small enterprises in developing countries. What’s unique about the BiD Challenge is that it combines a business plan competition with a charitable award – a hybrid financing scheme that attracts both corporate and NGO interest.<br /><br />Of 903 initial applicants, the pool has been whittled down to <a href="http://www.bidnetwork.org/set-38141-en.html">25 finalists</a>; about fifteen of them will split the 150,000 Euro prize pool. Winners will be announced tomorrow; prior to the awards ceremony, finalists will have the chance to pitch their business plans to investors during a large venture fair. <br /><br />The BiD Challenge is the ultimate partnership – it bridges the government, NGO, and corporate worlds relatively seamlessly. Each participant has a clearly defined role, and acts in its own best interests: government funds projects that have been vetted by experts; NGOs highlight the importance of small-scale enterprise; corporations and investors see the next wave of BOP innovations and invest in the best models. Everyone wins, right?<br /><br class="clear" /><p><a href="http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2006/09/28/the-business-in-development-challenge">read more</a></p> http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2006/09/28/the-business-in-development-challenge#comment Business Development Successful Models Thu, 28 Sep 2006 17:22:43 -0400 Rob Katz 3410 at http://www.nextbillion.net