On this page, you'll find links to a variety of Academic Institutions, Blogs, Initiatives, Foundations, Consulting Firms and other Relevant Sites that focus on the base of the pyramid.

Academic Institutions

Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management – Home of the Base of the Pyramid Learning Lab and the Parker Center for Investment Research.

University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School – Home of the Kenan Institute Center for Sustainable Enterprise. Also see their BOP Case Studies.

University of Michigan Ross School of Business – Home of the William Davidson Institute and the Frederick A. & Barbara M. Erb Environmental Management Institute. Also see their online video & case studies of BOP projects.

Fundaco Getulio Vargas (FGV) – The Center for Sustainability Studies (GVces), an initiative of the Business School at FGV, contributes to the promotion of sustainable development according to the Triple Bottom Line principle. The Center partnered with WRI to hold the Opportunities for Business and Innovation at the BOP conference that took place in Sao Paulo in August 2005.

EGADE – The EGADE graduate business school of Mexico’s Monterrey Tec Institute has convened a multi-disciplinary team of investigators and industrial experts to identify and to develop opportunities Base of the Pyramid (BOP) markets. In September 2005, it partnered with WRI to hold the Opportunities for Business and Innovation at the BOP conference.

York University, Schulich School of Business – Home of the Erivan K Haub Program in Business and Sustainability and the Sustainable Enterprise Academy. See also the Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability and the Foundation for Sustainable Enterprise and Development.

Blogs

BOPreneur - Entrepreneur and educator Paul Hudnut's blog. A "BOPreneur" is an entrepreneur focused on improving the lives of the world's poorest people, the 3 billion people who earn less than $3/day. This blog shares experiences and opinions about the BOP, social entrepreneurship, sustainability and other related topics.

 
Center for Global Development Blog - The Center is a pioneer among Washington think tanks in the use of blogs to track the progress of key policy initiatives. CGD's blogs provide frequent updates, analysis, and informed commentary on specific issues.

Fast Company Blog - Fast Company magazine charts the evolution of business through a unique focus on the most creative individuals sparking change in the marketplace. By uncovering best and "next" practices, the magazine helps a new breed of leader work smarter and more effectively.

My Heart's in Accra - Ethan Zuckerman's musings on Africa, international development and hacking the media.

Private Sector Development Blog – Maintained by the World Bank, this blog gathers together news, resources and ideas about the role of private enterprise in fighting poverty.

TED Blog - TED is a global and growing community devoted to giving millions of knowledge-seekers around the globe direct access to the world's greatest thinkers and teachers. TED is headquartered in New York and Vancouver but draws upon advisors and contributors worldwide who work to shape the TED Conference, the TED Prize and the TED website.

Timbuktu Chronicles – A view of Africa and Africans with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, practical remedies and other self sustaining activities.

Value – Value is a new magazine that offers a unique lens on tomorrow's markets, enterprises and investments. Through its blog and associated articles, the Web site provides a rigorous examination of how real value is created and sustained.

Initiatives

Acumen Fund – Acumen Fund is a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty. It supports enterprises that deliver affordable critical goods and services - like health, water and housing - through innovative market-oriented approaches, to the four billion people on earth living on less than $4 a day.

Ashoka – Working to shape a citizen sector that is entrepreneurial, productive and globally integrated, by developing the profession of social entrepreneurship. Their Web site contains many case studies about social entrepreneurs as well as resources about business-social partnerships to better serve low-income communities.

Base of the Pyramid Protocol– The BoP Protocol is a pioneering business incubation process that enables multinational corporations (MNCs) to generate new business opportunities at the Base of the Pyramid. Based on a participatory philosophy, the BoP Protocol is a model for business co-creation that marries MNCs’ resources, technologies and best practices with those of the community.

Business and MDGs – Seeks to capture the current best practices for private sector engagement in development and achieving the MDGs. It looks at the incentives for business to play an active role, and the potential of effective multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Business in Development – Promotes poverty reduction through profit in developing countries by actively engaging Dutch companies and their employees in initiatives for market-oriented sustainable development.

Development Marketplace – A competitive grant program of the World Bank that funds innovative, small-scale development projects. DM’s primary objective is to identify and support creative ideas that deliver results and have the potential to be expanded or replicated..

Enterprise for a Sustainable World– Enterprise for a Sustainable World (ESW) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to effectively addressing the world’s most pressing social and environmental problems through a new and more inclusive form of capitalism: Sustainable Enterprise.

Growing Sustainable Business Initiative – The Growing Sustainable Business initiative facilitates business-led enterprise solutions to poverty in advancement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These enterprise solutions accelerate and sustain access to needed goods/services and livelihoods opportunities.

International Development Enterprises – A non-profit organization that employs market principles to strike at the roots of rural poverty in the world's least developed countries. By taking advantage of market forces, IDE is able to have widespread impact using minimal resources.

IPEG – The International Private Enterprise Group (IPEG) is a network of professionals working at the intersection of the private sector, capital markets, technology and international development. The group was formed to promote the role of private enterprise and capital markets in catalyzing economic development and facilitate collaboration and the sharing of resources on international projects.

MIF: Promotion of Opportunities in the BOP- The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) works with the Inter-American Bank Group to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises at the base of the pyramid.

New Ventures – Supports sustainable enterprise creation in emerging economies by accelerating the transfer of venture capital to outstanding investment opportunities that incorporate social and environmental benefits.

WBCSD Sustainable Livelihoods Initiative – Seeks ways by which business can extend the benefits of the markets to serve people, address their needs and allow companies to develop their business sustainably and profitably.

Foundations

Calvert Foundation - Calvert Foundation's goal is to maximize the flow of capital to disadvantaged communities in order to foster a more equitable and sustainable society. Calvert Foundation raises investment capital through individuals and institutions, and uses it to provide affordable loans to nonprofit organizations that help underserved communities. Its portfolio finances affordable homes, funds small businesses and finances essential community services.

Case Foundation - The Case Foundation supports individuals and organizations that have the strategy, leadership, and commitment to make positive, widespread social change. In forming partnerships and making investments, The Case Foundation looks for people and groups that have the ability to scale and sustain their impact over the long term.

Scojo Foundation - Scojo Foundation turns profits into social progress by training local entrepreneurs to give basic eye exams and sell low-cost reading glasses in their communities. By providing people with the tools to see, Scojo Foundation improves their health and doubles their working life. At the same time, Scojo helps raise the standard of living for local entrepreneurs and their families.

Shell Foundation – Supports efforts worldwide to achieve sustainable development. Its two reports, Enterprise Solutions to Poverty and Aid Reform and the Role of Enterprise, argue that enterprise and business thinking must be placed at the heart of the war on poverty. Nextbillion has also conducted an interview with Kurt Hoffman, the Director of the Shell Foundation.

Skoll Foundation - The Skoll Foundation’s mission is to advance systemic change to benefit communities around the world by investing in, connecting and celebrating social entrepreneurs. By identifying the people and programs already bringing positive changes to communities throughout the world, the Skoll Foundation empowers social entrepreneurs to extend their reach, deepen their impact and fundamentally improve society.

Ford Foundation – Supports initiatives that reduce poverty and injustice. It's latest report, Part of the Solution - Leveraging Business and Markets for Low-Income People, explores how corporate resources and competencies can be used for the benefit of both business and poor people.


Consulting Firms

Base of the Pyramid Business Development Station – Uses a unique business model that brings together a broad group of stakeholders in order to build an understanding of BOP markets and develop businesses that meet their needs.

Development Alternatives Inc. – Provides comprehensive consulting services particularly for development related projects.

Emerging Markets Group – An international development consulting firm that serves donor agencies, private clients and sovereign governments.

The Next Practice – A strategic advisory firm which enables the world’s leading companies to leverage the emerging trends that are reshaping the face of competition.

Origo, Inc. – Consulting expertise includes social enterprise development and partnership.

Strategic Sustainability Consulting - Offers tools and expertise to actively manage social and environmental impacts, and specializes in helping under-resourced organizations implement sustainable solutions usually reserved for large, multinational companies.

SustainAbility – A strategy consultancy and independent think tank specialising in the business risks and market opportunities of corporate responsibility and sustainable development.

Sustainability Knowledge Network (SKN) – Provides business and government customers with customized sustainability solutions to improve their economic, environmental and social performance


Other Relevant Sites

Business and Economic Development Impacts – Designed to help you understand and measure the corporate economic footprint on a community’s economic development.

Dev-Zone – An independent resource center on international development and global issues. The site aims to inform and educate readers about international development and global issues. Resources include a library, email updates, and the magazine Just Change.

id21 – id21 communicates international development research to policymakers and practitioners worldwide. Research featured on id21 focuses on policy solutions relating to health, education, urban development, rural development, natural resources and global issues policy in developing countries.