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Digital Inclusion by Way of Backpack: A Q&A with Imcon International CEO Rob Loud
Internet access has the potential to transform livelihoods in a myriad of ways – and financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and education are just a few of the sectors that stand to benefit. However, despite growing global internet use, billions in rural, hard-to-reach areas still lack access, representing a massive missed opportunity. In this Q&A, Imcon International CEO Rob Loud shares how his company is partnering with governments and NGOs to increase connectivity in the last mile through an affordable, simple device – the humble backpack.
- Categories
- Education, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Microsoft to launch social entrepreneur accelerator programme in March
"Microsoft has always been an ardent enabler of the start-up ecosystem in the country," Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, said in a statement.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Ethiopia’s reforms spark ray of hope for struggling businesses doing good
“The challenges in Ethiopia are big, but the opportunities are also big. Ethiopia is the second largest population in Africa ... and now it’s slowly opening up,” Davis told delegates at the Sankalp Africa Forum, an event in Nairobi bringing together investors, social businesses and policymakers.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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A stumbling block to growth trips up companies trying to do good
When established social enterprises do secure funding to support their growth it is not necessarily the end to their woes.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Working with Tech Vendors: Do’s and Don’ts for Development Organizations
Working with outside vendors in information and communications technologies is a necessary part of global development work – and when done well, it can provide a major boost to an organization’s mission. But there are good and bad ways to select and work with vendors, and many NGOs and social enterprises don’t recognize the importance of choosing the right approach. Nathan Barthel at Catholic Relief Services presents a list of “dos and don’ts” for development organizations to keep in mind when working with vendors – essential reading for anyone planning an ICT4D project.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise, Technology
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Three Key Trends in Social Impact: Announcing NextBillion’s Special Series for 2019
NextBillion is pleased to announce the topics of our three special series for 2019: “By Women, For Women: Leaders and Innovations in Gender Equity,” “Scaling Up Without Selling Out,” and “New Frontiers in Renewable Energy.” Each series will be managed by a different member of NextBillion’s editorial team: Check out the descriptions and email the appropriate editor if you’d like to explore a potential guest post on any of these topics. We’re looking forward to seeing how the discussion in these series will develop in the coming months.
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- Energy, Finance, Investing, Social Enterprise
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Syrian refugee finds purpose at business school – and in life
She defines herself as a social entrepreneur, a blend of “doing well for yourself but also doing good in the world.”
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- Education
- Region
- North America
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From Iowa to India: The Importance of Entrepreneurship in Promoting Human Dignity
Farmers in both developed and emerging countries are facing similar challenges, from water shortages and climate change to stagnant crop prices. With many Indian farmers abandoning their rural communities in favor of growing urban centers, Chris Owen, a University of Michigan student and 2018 WDI Global Impact Fellow, asks how cities will meet their residents’ need for food, water and gainful employment. He explores the work of Poornatha, a Madurai-based social enterprise that’s tackling these issues through entrepreneurship education.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Social Enterprise
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