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    <title><![CDATA[NextBillion.net - Author: Rob Katz]]></title>
    <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog</link>
    <description><![CDATA[Thank you for coming to NextBillion.net. Our goal is to identify and discuss sustainable business models that address the needs of the world's poorest citizens.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:21:10 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[WDI to Host Impact Assessment Workshop]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/11/13/wdi-to-host-impact-assessment-workshop</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/11/13/wdi-to-host-impact-assessment-workshop</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/a973d83971b919dcf0b3ead842ca2d7a.jpg" alt="WDI to Host Impact Assessment Workshop" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>Metrics, impact assessment and impact investing are popular and important  topics in development right now.&nbsp; Much of the work in this area has been done ad hoc, though that is beginning to change with the advent of the <a href="http://www.globalimpactinvestingnetwork.org/cgi-bin/iowa/home/index.html" target="_blank">Global Impact Investing Network</a> and the <a href="../../../2009/11/02/impact-reporting-and-investment-standards---comment-now" target="_blank">Impact Reporting and Investment Standards</a>. (Be sure to comment on the IRIS asap...)</p>
<p>To get an idea of the popularity of metrics and measurement, just take a look at the number of blog posts we've had here on NextBillion about the topic lately: <a title="http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/04/social-capital-markets-09-metastasizing-metrics" href="../../../2009/09/04/social-capital-markets-09-metastasizing-metrics">Social  Capital Markets09: Metastasizing Metrics</a>, <a title="http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/21/anecdotes-and-analysis-the-microfinance-bubble" href="../../../2009/09/21/anecdotes-and-analysis-the-microfinance-bubble">Anecdotes  and Analysis: The Microfinance "Bubble"</a>, <a title="http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/01/why-should-we-evaluate-social-enterprises" href="../../../2009/10/01/why-should-we-evaluate-social-enterprises">Why  Should We Evaluate Social Enterprises?</a> and my recent post <a title="http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/11/09/nyu-measuring-impact-valuing-investment" href="../../../2009/11/09/nyu-measuring-impact-valuing-investment">NYU:  Measuring Impact, Valuing Investment</a>.</p>
<p>So it's not a minor step forward when academic institutions and practitioners are starting to take what they've learned and share it more broadly with the field through workshops and training sessions.&nbsp; NextBillion ally Ted London will be doing just this, based on his impact assessment framework (which we first reported on back in July: <a title="http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/07/08/better-investments-at-the-base-of-the-pyramid-a-framework-for-im" href="../../../2009/07/08/better-investments-at-the-base-of-the-pyramid-a-framework-for-im">Making  Better Investments at the BoP: A Framework for Impact  Assessment</a>.)</p>
<p>Ted is organizing a workshop, to be held in February 2010 at the University of Michigan.&nbsp; More information is available in the attached PDF - be sure to check it out and register early, as space is extremely limited.</p>
<p><a href="../../../../lib/assets/documents/WDI_Impact_Assessment_Workshop.pdf">WDI_Impact_Assessment_Workshop.pdf</a></p>
<p>Should be a good workshop - stay tuned to NextBillion for further updates.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[NYU: Measuring Impact, Valuing Investment]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/11/09/nyu-measuring-impact-valuing-investment</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/11/09/nyu-measuring-impact-valuing-investment</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/6d55441569a922f4c85293db10f33766.jpg" alt="NYU: Measuring Impact, Valuing Investment" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Sixth Annual <a href="http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/berkley/social.cfm?doc_id=100537" target="_blank">NYU Conference of Social Entrepreneurs</a> here in New York.&nbsp; The day-long conference brought practitioners together with academics for a day-long discourse on measuring impact and valuing (social) investment.</p>
<p>(Before I get much further, some needed disclosure: I sit on the conference's Practitioner Advisory Board.)</p>
<p>The day kicked off with <a href="http://www.blendedvalue.org/about/emerson.html" target="_blank">Jed Emerson</a>, arguably the most well-known expert in the field of strategic philanthropy and impact investing.&nbsp; Of course, Jed began his talk by demurring - he claims he's not an expert in metrics nor impact investing; rather, the expertise is in the room and the larger community.&nbsp; I beg to differ, Jed - after all, your introduction of social return on investment (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Return_on_Investment" target="_blank">SROI</a>) is one of the founding blocks on which impact investing has been built.<br /> <br /> But I digress.&nbsp; To Jed, the question is simple:<strong> "Are we maximizing total performance while generating real impact for our multiple investments?"</strong></p>
<p>Easier said than done, and from Jed's quick (and clear) overview of the history of impact investing, it is clear that while much has been done, we still have a long way to go.&nbsp; Specifically, Jed focused on two challenges:</p>
<ul>
<li>First, the need for social management information systems to track outcomes - or else, as he put it, "you generate crap data".&nbsp;</li>
<li>Second, Jed pushed us to embed metrics into knowledge management, in order to actively improve practice.</li>
</ul>
<p>Both of these are ongoing.&nbsp; The social MIS is on track - with the <a href="../../../2009/11/02/impact-reporting-and-investment-standards---comment-now" target="_blank">Impact Reporting and Investment Standards</a> (IRIS) and the <a href="http://www.globalimpactinvestingnetwork.org/cgi-bin/iowa/home/index.html" target="_blank">Global Impact Investing Network</a> (GIIN) kicking off this year and Acumen Fund's <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/131/the-acumen-fund-portfolio-data-management-system.html" target="_blank">PULSE performance management tracking tool</a> being released to the public by the end of 2009.&nbsp; Having incubated these from the idea stage to the pilot stage to the test stage and now launching them, the entire sector is holding its breath, waiting to see if they will stick as standards and enable us to get closer to not generating Jed's dreaded (bad) data.</p>
<p>Following Jed's talk was a great panel on impact investing, but as it focused primarily on domestic work, I won't go into it here on NextBillion.</p>
<p>The afternoon, however, brought <a href="http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/Social_Sector/Meet_Our_People.aspx" target="_blank">Laura Callanan from McKinsey</a> to the stage. &nbsp;Laura, of McKinsey's <a href="http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/Social_Sector/home.aspx" target="_blank">Social Sector Office</a>, offered an excellent 10-point guide to good program evaluations.&nbsp; If you are involved with aid or social investing, LISTEN UP. &nbsp;This may seem obvious but taken together has real potential to help us all (myself included!) raise our game when it comes to program evaluations. &nbsp;Without further ado, the 10-point plan:</p>
<ol type="1">
<li>Hear the constituent voice<ol type="a">
<li>Context matters!</li>
<li>Give feedback on what works       and not</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Exercise rigor within reason<ol type="a">
<li>Use the right tool for the job       to maintain credibility and understand feasibility</li>
<li>For example, randomized control trials are not the right tool for every intervention</li>
<li>We're in a bubble around the "gold       standard" for measurement - careful not to get caught up in the bubble</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Drive assessment with learning<ol type="a">
<li>Start with a question: "What       are we trying to learn that will help us do our work better?"</li>
<li>What are the unintended       consequences?&nbsp; What is the external       environment in which you're working?</li>
<li>Look at "expectation failures"       - not necessarily a program failure, but something that simply did not       live up to the expectations</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Don't measure everything<ol type="a">
<li>"Funders are asking for reams       of information that they never really look at"</li>
<li>Don't shift the burden of       information gathering to the grantees</li>
<li>Hewlett Foundation, for       example, is cutting down their grant application form and reporting forms       based on asking themselves, "Do we use this information or not?"</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Design assessment and strategy      together<ol type="a">
<li>Assessment begins with the       start of the program and continues throughout - not for a few months at       the end</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Don't let assessment sit on a      shelf<ol type="a">
<li>"How many people have read an       audit and done something differently?"</li>
<li>How can audits be more       actionable?</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Collaborate, don't dictate<ol type="a">
<li>Make sure your grantees have       the resources to provide you what you're asking them for</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Build off and build up<ol type="a">
<li>What has already been tried       (and worked) and tried (and failed)</li>
<li>Use existing knowledge and       contribute more knowledge back into the sector</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Borrow, don't reinvent<ol type="a">
<li>Re-purpose existing assessment       tools, don't create your own until you've done a thorough search</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Foster a learning culture</li>
</ol>
<p>When it comes to doing a thorough search (point 9), the new <a href="http://foundationcenter.org/trasi/" target="_blank">Tools and Resources for Assessing Social Impact</a> (TRASI) will be a great tool.&nbsp; Be sure to check it out - currently in a beta version - and sign up for more updates.<br /><br />All told, it was a lot of metrics for one day but I left NYU last week feeling that we were closer than ever to counting what counts.&nbsp; After all, Albert Einstein said it best:</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.&rdquo;</em></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:10:39 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[Introducing Editor Nathan Wyeth]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/27/introducing-editor-nathan-wyeth</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/27/introducing-editor-nathan-wyeth</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/679c75434f6dcb802d1acb85e2a404cb.jpg" alt="Introducing Editor Nathan Wyeth" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>We are glad to welcome the newest member of the NextBillion.net team, Nathan Wyeth.&nbsp; Nathan will support the operations of NextBillion.net, specifically its news, research, and jobs sections.&nbsp; <br /><br />He combines an academic background in international development with experience in environmental and energy policymaking.&nbsp; When not working on NextBillion, he supports the creation and implementation of impact investing and patient capital strategies on behalf of philanthropic clients operating in the U.S., China, and Israel.<br /> <br />Nathan has previously managed public health economics research in Tamil Nadu, India and worked with the Clinton Foundation and the House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.&nbsp; Prior to this he coordinated national and international advocacy campaigns on renewable energy, trade policy, and international financial institutions with the Sierra Club, and currently serves on the Sierra Club's Board of Directors.&nbsp; He has previously <a href="http://www.grist.org/member/view-all/posts/1620/P0/" target="_blank">blogged on Grist.or</a><a href="http://www.grist.org/member/view-all/posts/1620/P0/" target="_blank">g</a> and <a href="http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/author/nathanwyeth/" target="_blank">ItsGettingHotinHere.org</a>.&nbsp; <br /> <br />He grew up in Washington, DC and received a B.A. in Development Studies from Brown University, where he wrote his senior thesis on the political economy of rural electrification in India and strategies to finance renewable energy for electrification.&nbsp; Nathan is currently based in San Francisco, CA and gets out to enjoy the mountains of California as frequently as possible. <br /><br />Welcome, Nathan!</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[D.Light's $10 Kerosene Killer]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/22/dlights-10-kerosene-killer</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/22/dlights-10-kerosene-killer</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/1ac8ffab41b099b8ed883c306e5e83b6.jpg" alt="D.Light's $10 Kerosene Killer" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>On Tuesday, <a href="http://www.dlightdesign.com/" target="_blank">D.Light Design</a> released its newest product, the <a href="http://www.dlightdesign.com/product_kiran.html" target="_blank">Kiran</a>.&nbsp; Dubbed by its staff the "$10 Kerosene Killer" the Kiran is the world's most affordable quality solar lamp.&nbsp; According to the company's web site, "It is a safer and brighter alternative to the kerosene lantern, and is designed to provide 360-degree lighting for the home or workplace."<br /><br />Quite frankly, this little lamp is a big deal.&nbsp; There are more than 1 million deaths every year attributed to kerosene lamps; 62% of the people who die are under the age of fourteen, according to the <a href="http://www.who.int/indoorair/health_impacts/disease/en/index.html" target="_blank">World Health Organization</a>.&nbsp; If that weren't enough, kerosene lamps are responsible for at least 100 million tons of <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/BBS/bbs_view.asp?categoryCode=277&amp;field=&amp;keyword=&amp;page=5&amp;idx=128300" target="_blank">carbon dioxide emissions</a> annually.&nbsp; Every D.Light sold - every non-kerosene lamp sold, for that matter - eliminates one or more kerosene lamp, fighting the scourge of kerosene.<br /><br />The Kiran is not just a kerosene killer; it is also a livelihood-enhancer.&nbsp; According to the UNDP, the ability to engage in nighttime activities increases the average poor family's income by <a href="http://www.dlightdesign.com/designphilo.html" target="_blank">up to 30 percent</a>.<br /><br />Of course, solar-powered LED lamps have not been the most affordable products in the past.&nbsp; D.Light's other products sell for between $15 and $30 dollars, depending on features (a little more or a little less, depending on exchange rates).&nbsp; Cosmos Ignite's MightyLight costs around $20; ToughStuff costs around $15.<br /><br />A cost reduction to $10 is a big deal.&nbsp; Lower-income customers can buy the light, with financing (and more often, without).&nbsp; <br /><br />The Kiran is not just lower-cost - it is designed to be extremely user-friendly and flexible. It has no detachable parts, including an integrated solar panel that makes recharging simple and easy. The product shape, portability, and handle with 9 different settings give the customer many options for use. The Kiran can be carried, hung from the wall or ceiling, or placed on any surface to effectively illuminate the surrounding area.<br /><br />The health, environmental and economic impacts of improved lighting are known.&nbsp; With that in mind, D.Light has just raised the game again.&nbsp; They have put the kerosene lamp on notice - sometime soon, these solar power LEDs, along with grid extensions, micro grids and other electrification schemes - are going to put dirty, inefficient kerosene out of business.&nbsp; Watch out, kerosene - a killer's on the loose.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:26:39 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[Apply Now to Become a 2011 Acumen Fund Fellow]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/06/apply-now-to-become-a-2011-acumen-fund-fellow</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/06/apply-now-to-become-a-2011-acumen-fund-fellow</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/4b26ad5ac42ad237580383c5d890eefb.jpg" alt="Apply Now to Become a 2011 Acumen Fund Fellow" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>Acumen Fund is excited to announce that the application process for the 2010-2011 Class of <a href="http://www.acumenfund.org/get-involved/fellows-program.html">Acumen Fund Fellows</a> is now open!&nbsp; (Full disclosure: I work at Acumen Fund and the organization is one of the NextBillion's Founding Sponsors.)<br /><br />Detailed information about the program and application the process, as well as the <a href="http://www.acumenfund.org/get-involved/fellows-program/meet-the-fellows.html">bios of current and past fellows</a>, can be found on our <a href="http://www.acumenfund.org/get-involved/fellows-program.html">website</a>. To apply, or to send more information to others you know who might be interested, please click <a href="http://www.acumenfund.org/get-involved/fellows-program/become-a-fellow.html">here</a>. Applications will be <a href="http://www.acumenfund.org/get-involved/fellows-program/become-a-fellow.html">accepted online</a> until 11:59pm EST on <strong>Thursday, November 5, 2009</strong>.<br /><br />What does it take to be a Fellow? We are looking for dedicated individuals with the practical skills, the creativity, the empathy and the leadership potential to affect change by leveraging market-based solutions to create social impact. Acumen Fund Fellows are drawn from a pool of talented, passionate people from all geographies, sectors, backgrounds and ethnicities.<br /><br />Since graduating its first class of Fellows in 2007, the Fellows Program has continued to grow and expand, using the experiences of each class to continue building a unique training curriculum specifically focused on leadership and social enterprise. Fellows Alumni have called the program a life-changing experience, and one that allowed them to build critical business skills and a better understanding of the challenges involved in serving low-income consumers around the world.<br /><br />We are also excited to welcome our new <a href="http://www.acumenfund.org/uploads/assets/documents/Fellows%202010%20bios%20-%20print_LBcuKg8S.pdf">Class of 2009-2010 Fellows</a> to New York. Over the coming weeks the 2010 Fellows will be training and actively preparing to support Acumen Fund investments. The Fellows have committed to sharing their experiences both from New York and on the ground, so expect to see frequent posts from them here on the <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.acumenfundblog.org');" href="http://www.acumenfundblog.org/">blog</a>.<br /><br /><em>If you know exceptional individuals who should be part of our 2010-2011 class, we hope you will encourage them to apply. Please share this announcement throughout your networks so that we reach the strongest and most diverse candidate pool.</em></p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[BoP Conference Report: Be Patient, Stay Longer, Come Back]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/06/bop-conference-report-be-patient-stay-longer-come-back</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/10/06/bop-conference-report-be-patient-stay-longer-come-back</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/90ff060eb31f9e23660b6a4f9b00e874.jpg" alt="BoP Conference Report: Be Patient, Stay Longer, Come Back" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>This past weekend, 100+ attendees convened in Ann Arbor, Michigan for "<a href="http://www.bop2009.org/" target="_blank">Creating a Shared Roadmap: Collaboratively Advancing the Base of the Pyramid Community</a>."&nbsp; Despite the tortured title - one only an academic could love! - the 3-day event was incredibly vibrant and merits a quick report-out here on NextBillion.<br /><br />We went to Michigan to work with 10 co-authors, who are working on a volume marking the 10-year anniversary of the original "Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid" white paper (later <a href="http://www.strategy-business.com/article/11518?gko=9a4ba" target="_blank">published by strategy+business</a>, then turned into a book by CK Prahalad).&nbsp; Unfortunately, CK could not join us for the weekend, but many BoP-sector heavyweights were in attendance - Stu Hart, Al Hammond, Ted London, Mark Milstein - the list is long, so I'll simply point you to the <a href="http://www.bop2009.org/bios/" target="_blank">authors'</a> and the <a href="http://www.bop2009.org/registration/registration-list.aspx" target="_blank">attendees'</a> list and you can judge for yourself.&nbsp; Personally, it was a great group to be part of, and the discussions lived up to my pre-conference expectations (high).<br /><br />The title of this post is a quote from <a href="http://www.bop2009.org/bios/#Ted">Ted London</a>, who gave a great conference-opening keynote address.&nbsp; While discussing how to <a href="../../../../research/making-better-investments-at-the-base-of-the-pyramid">build better ventures with the base of the pyramid</a> - and measure their impact - he adroitly mixed academic theory and real-world practice.&nbsp; In doing so, he reminded the audience that, at the end of the day, we are all working with real low-income communities.&nbsp; <br /><br />To do this successfully - whether as a funder, implementer or advisor - Ted urged us all to "be patient, stay longer and come back".&nbsp; After all, many low-income communities have seen this all before - well-meaning businessmen, governments and non-profits seeking to work with and for them.&nbsp; Why should they trust those of us espousing market-based approaches to poverty alleviation?&nbsp; They shouldn't - and we as a sector must earn that trust.&nbsp; Kudos to Ted for not forgetting the key point here - and starting the conference off on the right foot.<br /><br />I've been asked by the conference organizers not to delve too deeply into the actual content discussions over the weekend, as we came together to work on a book (stay tuned for its publication in 2010!) and we're trying to respect the publisher.&nbsp; You'll have to take my word that it was fantastic to have a mix of academics, practitioners, NGOs, funders, governments, multilaterals and large companies talking about where we've been since the original "Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid" white paper was released - and where we're going from here.<br /><br />I heard more this weekend about design, local companies, failure (not often discussed in polite BoP circles!), scale (and lack thereof), listening and trust than I have at any other BoP-focused meeting I've attended.&nbsp; I have high hopes that the forthcoming book will be a worthy companion to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fortune-Bottom-Pyramid-Eradicating-Poverty/dp/0131467506"><em>The  Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid</em></a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Capitalism-Crossroads-Aligning-Business-Humanity/dp/0136134394"><em>Capitalism at the Crossroads</em></a> (and hopefully one that builds on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Next-Billion-Business-Strategy-Pyramid/dp/1569736251"><em>The Next 4 Billion</em></a> as well).<br /><br />In addition to the planned conference activities, I managed to grab an hour with <a href="http://www.bus.umich.edu/FacultyBios/FacultyBio.asp?id=000119664">Aneel Karnani</a>, a noted critic of BoP theory.&nbsp; We had a very productive discussion around the role of employment (central to poverty alleviation, by anyone's measure) and the importance of discussing failure within the growing BoP community.&nbsp; I couldn't agree more, and am happy to report that Aneel will be publishing a new paper soon, which we'll be sure to review here on-site.<br /><br />Thanks again to the organizers - Ted London and Stu Hart, the conference co-chairs in particular - and to the fine people at <a href="http://www.zingermansdeli.com/content/pages/home.php">Zingerman's Deli</a> for keeping me well-fed.&nbsp; Hope I'll see the maize and blue hues of Ann Arbor again soon!&nbsp;</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[BoP Conference Updates - A Busy Fall Ahead]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/21/bop-conference-updates---a-busy-fall-ahead</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/21/bop-conference-updates---a-busy-fall-ahead</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/f51d7676cdc5ff1252b71172226a1eb5.jpg" alt="BoP Conference Updates - A Busy Fall Ahead" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>For those interested in the base of the pyramid (BoP) space, it will be a busy fall as many conferences and events are upcoming.&nbsp; I've just updated the Take Action page here at NextBillion, but in case you are not in the habit of checking it regularly, here's a rundown of the events coming up, along with some commentary.<br /><br />Disclaimer: This doesn't claim to be a comprehensive list.&nbsp; If you know of an event with a strong BoP focus that isn't listed here, please e-mail me and we'll add it up.&nbsp; Thanks!</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://asef2009.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Africa Social Enterprise Forum (AESF)</a>. September 26, 2009, New York, NY.<br />
<ul>
<li>"Bringing together aspiring and accomplished social entrepreneurs with an African interest"&nbsp; This is a new event for 2009, and it should be an interesting one, with funders like Rockefeller Foundation as well as intermediaries such as Endeavor both in attendance.<br /></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://legatum.mit.edu/conference2009" target="_blank">Legatum Center Conference, MIT</a>.&nbsp; October 2, 2009, Cambridge, MA.<br />
<ul>
<li>The 2008 edition featured an historic panel of 5 Nobel laureate economists; the 2009 conference will focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and technology and feature keynote speakers like Tim Berners-Lee and Desh Deshpande.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://bop2009.org/">BoP 2009 Conference</a>. October 1-3, 2009, Ann Arbor, MI. <br />
<ul>
<li>This invitation-only event will bring together approximately 300 BoP academicians and practitioners.&nbsp; The meeting's outcome will be an edited volume written by many of the so-called "founders of the BoP movement" including CK Prahalad, Stuart Hart and Al Hammond.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/students/organizations/sec/conference2009/">Columbia Social Enterprise Conference</a>. October 9, 2009, New York, NY.<br />
<ul>
<li>NextBillion is a conference sponsor of this year's Columbia Social Enterprise conference, and we will be providing blog coverage throughout.&nbsp; Speakers include Craig Barrett (ex-CEO of Intel) and Nancy Barry (former president of Women's World Banking).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.opportunitycollaboration.net/" target="_blank">Opportunity Collaboration</a>. October 17-20, 2009,  Ixtapa, Mexico.<br />
<ul>
<li>This deep-dive event is a BoP thinker retreat.&nbsp; NextBillion staff won't be attending but it does look interesting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.poptech.org/" target="_blank">Pop!Tech 2009</a>. October 21-24, Camden, ME.<br />
<ul>
<li>Pop!Tech's 2009 speakers aren't all BoP experts, per se, but Esther Duflo from MIT's Poverty Action Lab will be on stage, and more importantly, the Social Innovation Fellows will again represent a suite of market-based approaches to poverty alleviation.&nbsp; Can't beat coastal Maine in October, either!</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://ce.byu.edu/cw/esr/" target="_blank">2009 Economic Self-Reliance Conference</a>. November 5-6, Provo, UT.<br />
<ul>
<li>The ESR conference will honor Benetech's Jim Fruchterman as the social entrepreneur of the year; you'll no doubt get a strong dose of franchising expertise from BYU-based Jason Fairbourne and other experts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.netimpact.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&amp;subarticlenbr=2029" target="_blank">Net Impact Conference, Cornell University</a>.&nbsp; November 13-14, Ithaca, NY.<br />
<ul>
<li>The pre-eminent social/environmental gathering for business school students in the US, Net Impact's 2009 conference will be held at Cornell this year.&nbsp; Be sure to visit the Moosewood Cafe if you make the trip!<br /></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bopimpact.nl/" target="_blank">Impact of Base of the Pyramid Ventures</a>. November 16-18, 2009, Delft, the Netherlands.<br />
<ul>
<li>Focus is on the following: How to define, measure, and optimize towards enduring value creation of BoP ventures?</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p>If you know of other events, or will be attending one of these conferences, please leave a comment below to let the NextBillion community know.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[Apply Now! Lemelson-MIT Awards]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/15/apply-now-lemelson-mit-and-pioneers-in-prosperity-awards</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/15/apply-now-lemelson-mit-and-pioneers-in-prosperity-awards</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/82a8f4772b46aafa4fc2aa5700d01bb2.jpg" alt="Apply Now! Lemelson-MIT Awards" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>A great opportunity for a sub-set of the "base of the pyramid" community - the inventors and innovators - just came across my desk, and I wanted to let folks know.<br /><br />That's right, the annual Lemelson-MIT awards are taking nominations.&nbsp; There are three awards - $500K, $100K and $30K.&nbsp; More details:<br /><br />The Lemelson-MIT Awards honor both established and rising inventors for their ingenuity, creativity and contribution to invention and innovation. The awards recognize the profound impact that inventors can have on economic and social well-being. <br /><br />The awards include the following:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-prize.html">The $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize</a> honors outstanding mid-career inventors dedicated to improving our world through technological invention and innovation. </li>
<li><a href="http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-award.html">The $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability</a> recognizes and supports inventors working to safeguard the well-being of our communities and planet.</li>
<li><a href="http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-student.html">The $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize</a> honors promising young inventors studying at MIT.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Lemelson-MIT Program funds three additional student prizes to recognize students who demonstrate remarkable inventiveness: <a href="http://www.eng.rpi.edu/lemelson/" target="_blank">$30,000 Lemelson-Rensselaer Student Prize</a> at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, <a href="http://30kprize.uiuc.edu/" target="_blank">$30,000 Lemelson-Illinois Student Prize</a> at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and <a href="http://www.lemelson-prize.caltech.edu/" target="_blank">$30,000 Lemelson-Caltech Student Prize</a> at the California Institute of Technology. Each student prize is administered by its respective school.<br /><br />Bestowed annually, the Lemelson-MIT Awards were first presented in 1995. They are part of a comprehensive program administered by the Lemelson-MIT Program and established by the Lemelson Foundation to raise the stature of inventors and to inspire invention among young people. Find out about previous recipients at the <a href="http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-winners.html">Winners Circle</a>.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[Social Capital Markets 09: SME Finance in Developing Countries]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/14/social-capital-markets-09-sme-finance-in-developing-countries</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/14/social-capital-markets-09-sme-finance-in-developing-countries</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/cb3ccef35a7239ef34525a91750d7ab3.jpg" alt="Social Capital Markets 09: SME Finance in Developing Countries" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>Day 1 of SoCap09, and I was already conflicted.&nbsp; <a href="../../../2009/09/01/social-capital-markets-opening-session">Sonal Shah's keynote</a> address had ended and there I stood as 800 folks milled about, trying to decide: which of these awesome panels should I choose - and, by association, which will I have to miss?&nbsp; Fortunately for me, I knew Shital would attend the fantastic <a href="../../../2009/09/02/social-capital-markets--public-good--market-discipline">Ag Finance panel</a>, while Jocelyn was headed over to learn about <a href="../../../2009/09/02/social-capital-markets-2009-disruptive-innovation">Disruptive Innovation</a>.&nbsp; So I took off for SME Finance in Developing Countries...and I'm glad I did.<br /><br />The panel featured ANDE's Randall Kempner, Lemelson's <a href="http://www.lemelson.org/about/bio_julia.php">Julia Novy-Hildesley</a>, CGD's <a href="http://www.cgdev.org/content/article/detail/1420989/">John Simon</a> and IFC's Dan Runde as moderator.&nbsp; Dan did a great job setting the stage, noting that 97% of all emerging markets jobs are created by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) - a staggering statistic.&nbsp; With this in mind, the IFC has a <a href="http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/media.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/AM08_SME_Ventures/$FILE/AM08_SME_Ventures_IssueBrief.pdf" target="_blank">SME Venture Fund</a> (PDF) up and running for 8 key countries (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan).&nbsp; They also support the <a href="http://www.gbfund.org/" target="_blank">Grassroots Business Fund</a> (which <a href="http://www.ifc.org/gbo" target="_blank">spun out</a> of the IFC) and publish the <a href="http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/sme.nsf/Content/SME_Toolkit" target="_blank">SME Toolkit</a>, which has 4 million visitors every year.&nbsp; It's good to see the big boys like IFC focusing on small and medium enterprises - a welcome change from the multilaterals' focus on big, often extractive, industries.<br /><br />If you think the IFC is doing a lot to support SMEs, you should check out ANDE - the <a href="../../../serving-the-missing-middle-ande-marks-its-official-launch">Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs</a>.&nbsp; Long-time NextBillion readers have heard this before - ANDE supports the ecosystem around small and medium enterprise development, from funders to intermediaries to partners/experts and everyone in between.&nbsp; <a href="../../../interview-randall-kempner-takes-the-reins-at-ande">Randall Kempner</a>, ANDE's Executive Director, has had a busy year, during which he's distilled 3 common challenges faced by most SMEs serving the poor in emerging markets:</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Human capital</span> - having the right staff, with the best skills and the most up-to-date information, is make-or-break.&nbsp; You can have a great business model, but if you can't execute on it, you're wasting your time.</li>
<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Knowledge capital</span> - specifically, being able to navigate the policy landscape and gain market access where subsidies, monopolists and corrupt local officials often stand in your way.</li>
<li><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Money</span> - of course! But SMEs in developing countries face special challenges, including artificially high interest rates (due to an overly cautious risk perception by most local banks) and the inability to access loans at all, most of the time (thanks to unrealistic collateral requirements.)</li>
</ol>
<p>I'll be interested in see how Randall, through ANDE, helps his <a href="http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/aspen-network-development-entrepreneurs/ande-members" target="_blank">members</a> tackle these problems as we transition into 2010.<br /><br />Julia Novy-Hildesley, meanwhile, sits in a similar but different seat - she runs the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemelson_Foundation">Lemelson Foundation</a>, which has committed more than $140M to education, innovation and invention.&nbsp; Where does that intersect social enterprise and the base of the pyramid, you might ask?&nbsp; Answer: at the start-up phase.&nbsp; Lemelson sponsors the $500K <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemelson-MIT_Prize">Lemelson-MIT prize</a> and also supports <a href="http://www.ashoka.org">Ashoka</a> and <a href="http://www.kickstart.org/">KickStart</a>, both of whom are using innovation and invention to improve the lives of those living at the BoP.<br /><br />During her remarks, Julia noted that joblessness leads to a lack of hope, and a lack of opportunity - so Lemelson funds startups, with the idea that innovation and invention beget jobs.&nbsp; In addition to Ashoka and KickStart, they've funded <a href="http://www.selco-india.com/">SELCO</a>, first with a grant, then a loan guarantee, and finally with an equity investment.&nbsp; This flexibility and patient approach allows Lemelson to support an enterprise from its early stages (the grant to Selco was for R&amp;D) to pre-profitability (loan guarantee) to growth (equity).&nbsp; They've also taken 1st loss positions in <a href="http://www.calvertfoundation.org/">Calvert Foundation</a> and <a href="http://www.dlightdesign.com/">D.Light Design</a>.&nbsp; It's good to see a foundation use its philanthropic power to add flexibility and patience to a capital market that often lacks those two key characteristics.<br /><br />The final speaker was John Simon, currently a Visiting Fellow at the Center for Global Development but formerly the Executive VP at the <a href="http://www.opic.gov/">Overseas Private Investment Corporation</a>.&nbsp; While at OPIC, John worked to finance SMEs in conflict and post-conflict areas - Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Liberia, etc.&nbsp; Talk about a tough business environment - but he offered some important lessons that are applicable to conflict and non-conflict BoP markets.<br /><br />First, business development services - technical assistance to the inside-the-beltway crowd - is paramount.&nbsp; In Liberia, for example, OPIC facilitated funding for 8 promising enterprises.&nbsp; 7 of the 8 failed within a year.&nbsp; A later round of investment, coupled with business mentoring and operational advice, saw 7 of 8 companies succeed.&nbsp; In short: the money alone won't cut it.<br /><br />Second, when investing in SMEs in developing countries, it's key to understand your exit options from the start.&nbsp; Unlike in developed markets, there aren't as many oppotunities for public offerings - so you're looking at conversion options, promoter buy-back, or sale to a private holder.&nbsp; Knowing the potential exit market when you first invest is key, according to Simon.<br /><br />Overall, the panel was an important line in the sand, demonstrating that SME finance in developing countries IS possible, and that the sector is beginning to distill some how-to's (and how-not-to's) as it grows.&nbsp; I'm glad I went - and I'm glad I managed to get there early - the room was packed.&nbsp; Among the audience, I noticed ISFC's David Kyle, Microvest's Gil Crawford, UNDP's Sabha Sobhani, Ushahidi's Erik Hersman, Salesforce's Steve Wright and many, many more.</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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      <title><![CDATA[Pop!Tech Announces 2009 Social Innovation Fellows]]></title>
      <link>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/09/poptech-announces-2009-social-innovation-fellows</link>
      <guid>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/09/poptech-announces-2009-social-innovation-fellows</guid>
      <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://www.nextbillion.net/lib/assets/blog/feature/304d4dfaad75c91782df4c3e3869c0d0.jpg" alt="Pop!Tech Announces 2009 Social Innovation Fellows" align="right" /><p><em>Authored by: Rob Katz</em></p><p>As if on queue - and on the heels of <a href="http://www.socialcapitalmarkets.net" target="_blank">SoCap09</a> - Pop!Tech, a leading ideas summit and social innovation network, today announces its 2009 class of Social Innovation Fellows.&nbsp; This will be the second class of Fellows - last year <a href="../../../../news/pop-tech-launches-social-innovation-fellows-program" target="_blank">the cohort</a> included <a href="http://www.poptech.org/class2008/" target="_blank">innovators</a> ranging from Mobile Metrix to Pharmasecure to Por Fin, Nuestra Casa to Ushahidi to Frontline:SMS and of course <a href="../../../2008/10/26/pop-tech-rice-power-to-the-people-with-husk-power-systems" target="_blank">Husk Power Systems</a>, perhaps the crown jewel of the class after it <a href="../../../2009/07/01/breaking-news-husk-power-systems-wins-250k-venture-competition" target="_blank">won a $250K business plan competitio</a>n this summer.</p>
<p>The 2009 Fellows indeed have large shoes to fill.&nbsp; Here is a snapshot of some of the BoP-oriented Fellows:<strong><br /><br />Aviva Presser Aiden and Hugo Van Vuuren - Leb&ocirc;n&ecirc; Solutions, Inc.</strong></p>
<p>(<em>Cambridge</em><em>, MA and South Africa</em>)</p>
<p>Aviva and Hugo co-founded Leb&ocirc;n&ecirc; in 2007 to help meet the need for off-grid energy and lighting in the developing world. Using microbial fuel cells sold by local entrepreneurs, Leb&ocirc;n&ecirc;'s technology generates electricity from soil microbes to power LED lights, cell phones, radios and other devices. By extracting energy and light from dirt, Leb&ocirc;n&ecirc; is providing a tool that improves results for rural health workers, students, small businesses, farmers and families. <a href="http://www.lebone.org/">www.lebone.org</a><strong><br /><br />Jason Aramburu - re:char</strong></p>
<p>(<em>New York</em><em>, NY</em>)</p>
<p>Jason launched re:char in 2005 to develop low-cost technologies that fight climate change while improving the quality of degraded soils. re:char's systems convert agricultural waste into renewable fuel and into biochar, preventing the emission of CO2 via decomposition. The biochar is used to improve soil on farms, locking away emissions for thousands of years. By producing energy, sequestering atmospheric carbon and improving soil quality, re:char brings the promise of distributed, carbon-negative energy to underserved communities worldwide. <a href="http://www.re-char.com/">www.re-char.com</a><strong><br /><br />Derek Lomas - Playpower Foundation</strong><em><br /><br />(San Diego, CA)</em></p>
<p>The Playpower Foundation was created in 2008 to foster development of affordable, effective and fun learning games for under-privileged children around the world. Motivated by the availability of ultra-low-cost computers, Playpower has cultivated a global network of developers, designers, academics, NGOs and businesses to participate in the research, development and distribution of learning games that will help bring education to children in Bottom-of-the-Pyramid settings. <a href="http://www.playpower.org/">www.playpower.org</a><strong><br /><br />Josh Nesbit - FrontlineSMS:Medic</strong></p>
<p>(<em>Stanford</em><em>, CA</em>)</p>
<p>Having pioneered the use of mobile phones for healthcare in a remote region of Malawi, Josh co-founded FrontlineSMS:Medic to bring these innovations to the rest of the world. The model features a central clinic laptop running FrontlineSMS software, enabling community health workers to use mobile phones to coordinate patient care. Pushing the technology to enable better patient management, electronic medical records via mobile phone, cheap mobile diagnostics and mapping of health services, the FrontlineSMS:Medic team is proving that text messages can help save lives.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://medic.frontlinesms.com/"> medic.frontlinesms.com<br /><br /></a></span><strong>Hayat Sindi - Diagnostics For All</strong></p>
<p>(<em>Cambridge</em><em>, MA and Saudi Arabia</em>)</p>
<p>Diagnostics For All is creating point-of-care diagnostic devices microfabricated in paper, a game-changing technology for delivering low-cost medical care in the developing world. Reliable, safe and easy to use, these devices allow healthcare workers to diagnose and monitor treatment for the 60% of people living beyond the reach of urban hospitals and medical infrastructures. In addition to extending the reach of high-quality healthcare through her work with nanotechnology and Diagnostics For All, Hayat is a powerful advocate for science education and careers for women in the Middle East. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.dfadx.org/">www.dfadx.org</a></span></p>
<p>We may have more from Pop!Tech coming in October.&nbsp; Stay tuned for details...</p>]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
      <comments>http://www.nextbillion.net/blog/2009/09/09/poptech-announces-2009-social-innovation-fellows#comments</comments>
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