Category: Energy

Energy

Why Does Healthcare Need ‘Intrapreneurs’?

When most of us think about entrepreneurs, a certain image springs to mind. It is of an individual pursuing their big idea outside of the confines of a large business; of an intrepid individual heading into the ‘Dragon’s Den’ or making their fortune in Silicon Valley. But, that kind of disruptive innovation is not limited […]

Economic Inclusion – Accelerating Impact Collectively

Social Entrepreneurs with proven models for including low-income populations convene to refine their impact scaling strategies and collectively overcome ecosystem barriers. Great business ideas go global to serve customers around the world. Great social innovations, however, too often remain local or national because market forces do not work as efficiently in low-income markets. Although many […]

Business Models Engaging BoP Consumers & Producers

Success in inclusive business depends on getting the business model right. Obvious, but not easy. Of course there is no blueprint. But scrutinising 40 inclusive businesses in the portfolio supported by the Business Innovation Facility pilot from 2010-2013, we discern some common features. As the BIF pilot draws to a close, we have five assertions […]

Business Models Engaging BoP Consumers & Producers

Success in inclusive business depends on getting the business model right. Obvious, but not easy. Of course there is no blueprint. But scrutinising 40 inclusive businesses in the portfolio supported by the Business Innovation Facility pilot from 2010-2013, we discern some common features. As the BIF pilot draws to a close, we have five assertions […]

Business Models that Engage Consumers or Producers at the Base of the Pyramid

Success in inclusive business depends on getting the business model right. Obvious, but not easy. Of course there is no blueprint. But scrutinising 40 inclusive businesses in the portfolio supported by the Business Innovation Facility pilot from 2010-2013, we discern some common features. As the BIF pilot draws to a close, we have five assertions […]

Enterprise: Focusing on the Next Generation

UNICEF refers to early childhood (pre-natal to eight years old) as the “years of wonder.” In no other period in human life is the brain so responsive to changes in the environment and so able to learn, grow, and develop. Billions of highly integrated neural circuits in the brain are established through the interaction of […]

Top 10 Discussions of 2013

In January 2013 we launched our new discussion forum, with regular live panel chats. We also co-hosted Google Hangouts with Ashoka and webinars with the Business Call to Action and others. Most recently, we were excited to host a Google Hangout with Paul Polak, one of the true gurus in this field (click here to […]

Tackling the Youth Employment Crisis in Southern Africa

News headlines are filled with stories of a growing youth bulge and impending youth unemployment crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. This is the bad news. Many social entrepreneurs are at work even now creating solutions to these types of challenges—a sort of counterbalance that shapes fortune out of misfortune. Young Africa (YA) founder, Ashoka Fellow Dorien […]

Inclusive Business for Women Entrepreneurs

Women make up half the world’s population, but in many cultures and countries, women entrepreneurs face enormous challenges accessing opportunities – in education, business, and capital. Audry Maulana asks: What does the term “inclusive business” mean for some of the women attending IBF 2013? “Inclusive business is not charity,” even if the aim for many […]

Impact Investing for Green and Inclusive Business

Green and inclusive businesses need finance – impact investing can provide this. Discuss with us along seven hot topics why impact investors and green and inclusive businesses are a perfect fit and how they could be better matched – from new kids on the block to the super-heroes in the field. Green and inclusive businesses, […]

Market & Social Impact Research: A Dual Approach

Having worked in the local sustainable energy sector for the last seven years, I cannot stress enough how important it is to conduct both market and social impact research. Yet most organisations tend to focus on one or the other. Enterprises and charities founded in countries where they operate, especially when they are led by […]

Market & Social Impact Research: A Dual Approach

Having worked in the local sustainable energy sector for the last seven years, I cannot stress enough how important it is to conduct both market and social impact research. Yet most organisations tend to focus on one or the other. Enterprises and charities founded in countries where they operate, especially when they are led by […]

Does Scaling Up Compromise our Social Mission?

When charities concentrate on measuring the impact of their work it is easy to justify certain inefficiencies or not reaching scale, but a business wouldn’t have that attitude. That’s why SolarAid have chosen a business based approach; our mission to eradicate the kerosene lamp from Africa requires that we get solar lights to people at […]

'Eco' Status Quo? Why We're Growing Our Own Food

Social entrepreneurs are driving a global movement to think, eat, and grow local. UK Venture Manager Julia Koskella shares Ashoka’s key insights for success as part of a series on leading trends in social entrepreneurship and the environment coming out of Europe. The past few years have seen a massive increase in demand for locally-sourced […]

‘Eco’ Status Quo? Why We’re Growing Our Own Food

Social entrepreneurs are driving a global movement to think, eat, and grow local. UK Venture Manager Julia Koskella shares Ashoka’s key insights for success as part of a series on leading trends in social entrepreneurship and the environment coming out of Europe. The past few years have seen a massive increase in demand for locally-sourced […]

The Best Social Innovations of 2013

The SAB Foundation has announced the finalists of its 3rd Annual Social Innovation Awards 2013. A total of 26 finalists will vie for the R1-million first place prize, which will be used to grow and commercialise their product or service. The SAB Foundation Social Innovations Awards was first launched in 2011 by its chairperson, Cyril […]

A Unique Opportunity to Reach the Rural BoP

The significance of harvest time for farmers is not going to shock many but less obvious, perhaps, is its importance for those trying to reach the rural BOP. Through its social enterprise, SunnyMoney, SolarAid has now reached over 3 million people with pico (<10 watt) solar lights, selling over 670,000 in East Africa and eradicating […]