Microfinance, Innovations, Sustainable Development - Microfranchising

A Report from the Harvard Social Enterprise Conference

Gerard — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:54:24 GMT

Conferences usually are not the venue for admitting failure. But on the first day of the Harvard University’s 2012 Social Enterprise Conference, Vikram Akula, the founder of SKS Microfinance who left the organization in November 2011, made just such an admission. In a speech delivered at the day’s closing reception, Akula described his experience first establishing the organization as a non-profit, converting to a for-profit model, and taking the company public in 2010. He recalled how Muhammad Yunus of the Grameen Bank criticized him and the SKS model, and observed: “Today, I can look back at what we did and say, ‘Professor Yunus was right.’”
“We really are at a crossroads,” The Economist’s Matt Bishop observed at the opening of the second day of Harvard’s Social Enterprise Conference. We’ve reached a point in time to rethink how markets work, and how more people can share in the benefits of the global economy, he noted.

This weblog is sponsored by Avgo.org and Photo Cyprus.

Microfinance USA: Conference 2011

Gerard — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:43:45 GMT

Microfinance USA is the conference where the nation's leading microfinance champions exchange ideas and information that set the agenda for the future of the field. Join the conversation with expert practitioners, top investors, and frontline researchers to explore and expand microfinance in the U.S.

This weblog is sponsored by Avgo.org and Photo Cyprus.

South India: Samasta Microfinance

Gerard — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 08:46:10 GMT

Samasta Microfinance is a public limited, for profit Non Banking Financial Company, established in March 2008. We offer microfinance solutions to the urban and rural poor in South India, and currently operate in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Their aim is to drive social change and be a catalyst for entrepreneurial ambition by providing a host of financial and non-financial products to our members. Their loan products are geared towards income generation supplemented by loans for education and social commitments. Samasta's operations use the Joint Liability Group (JLG) model.

This weblog is sponsored by Avgo.org and Photo Cyprus.

Africa: Book Notes

Gerard — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:33:55 GMT

This AfricaFocus contains a diverse selection of recent books likely to be of interest and new to AfricaFocus readers. You will find, for example, new books by Africa's distinguished elders, such as Achebe, wa Thiong'o, and Mandela. Selected new books from publishers such as Africa World Press, HSRC Press, and Aflame Books. Books on topical themes such as SMS activism and other ICT developments, on India and China's relations with Africa, and on xenophobia and migration. And more.

This weblog is sponsored by Avgo.org and Photo Cyprus.

Public issue of SKS Microfinance to open on July 28

Gerard — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:16:27 GMT

SKS Microfinance Limited, the largest Micro Finance Institution in India, today announced that its public issue will open on July 28.

This weblog is sponsored by Avgo.org and Photo Cyprus.

Financial Women's Association Events Calendar

Gerard — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:46:42 GMT

A permanent Calendar about the events of the FWA. The Financial Women’s Association brings together high achieving professionals from every sector of the financial world.

This weblog is sponsored by Avgo.org and Photo Cyprus.

Can we bring Internet to the Poorest? Grameenphone Community Information Center did it!

Gerard — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 07:53:54 GMT

Grameen Phone and its Village Phone Initiative is akin to a public pay phone microenterprise run by a rural woman. A Grameen Bank borrower uses their loan to become a Grameen Phone microfranchisee. The new business owner gains access to the branding, training, and partners of Grameen Phone. To date there are over 200,000 Village Phone operators in rural areas bringing increased access to regional markets, knowledge, and services to the rural poor.

This weblog is sponsored by Avgo.org and Photo Cyprus.

A star is born...

Gerard — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:56:40 GMT

Welcome to this blog about Microfinance, Innovations and Sustainable Development

This weblog is sponsored by Avgo.org and Photo Cyprus.