Comments for Acumen Fund Blog http://blog.acumenfund.org Blueprints For Change Mon, 12 May 2008 05:34:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 Comment on Africa Investment Horizons by Perspective 2.0 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/02/africa-investment-horizons/#comment-137034 Mon, 05 May 2008 04:02:00 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/02/africa-investment-horizons/#comment-137034 <strong>Overlooking the impact of the mobile phone in Africa</strong> Ken Banks of Kiwanja.net makes an extremely insightful observation in a recent opinion piece on PC World. He points out that though there has been an increase in hubbub around the developmental and economic efforts in Africa, particularly opinions in Overlooking the impact of the mobile phone in Africa

Ken Banks of Kiwanja.net makes an extremely insightful observation in a recent opinion piece on PC World. He points out that though there has been an increase in hubbub around the developmental and economic efforts in Africa, particularly opinions in

]]> Comment on Africa Investment Horizons by Nate Laurell http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/02/africa-investment-horizons/#comment-136940 Sun, 04 May 2008 19:03:55 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/02/africa-investment-horizons/#comment-136940 In terms of investment capital directly into Africa, there are few options for investors in the US. There are a couple new mutual funds focused on the region, but even those typically incorporate the Middle East into the portfolio (TRAMX being one of the largest at $4.5B). The others focus on a few distinct areas, mostly South Africa and the Ghana or Botswana stock exchanges. As you mentioned, a large part of it could be a question of image, but one of the main factors is the structural capacity of the markets. Securities firms need size - the TRAMX fund of $4.5B is already roughly the size of 30% of the entire Ghana stock exchange, which has a market cap of $15B - and this is just one fund in the space. Even with this, interest is growing in these "frontier markets" from Wall Street. Indices are being built to track these markets by S&#38;P and others - the first step in setting up funds to invest. The question remains is whether cheap capital flooding into these markets will do any good. Often times, it simply means local inflation and large asset bubbles. If anything, this development points to the real gap in funding between capital markets at one extreme and philanthropic at the other. The world needs patient capital in the middle, so these economies can make the jump from developing to developed and thus support rich, structurally-sound capital markets. All the more reason and opportunity for funds like Acumen to fill the void. In terms of investment capital directly into Africa, there are few
options for investors in the US. There are a couple new mutual funds
focused on the region, but even those typically incorporate the Middle
East into the portfolio (TRAMX being one of the largest at $4.5B).
The others focus on a few distinct areas, mostly South Africa and the
Ghana or Botswana stock exchanges. As you mentioned, a large part of
it could be a question of image, but one of the main factors is the
structural capacity of the markets. Securities firms need size - the
TRAMX fund of $4.5B is already roughly the size of 30% of the entire
Ghana stock exchange, which has a market cap of $15B - and this is
just one fund in the space. Even with this, interest is growing in
these “frontier markets” from Wall Street. Indices are being built to
track these markets by S&P and others - the first step in setting up
funds to invest. The question remains is whether cheap capital
flooding into these markets will do any good. Often times, it simply
means local inflation and large asset bubbles. If anything, this
development points to the real gap in funding between capital markets
at one extreme and philanthropic at the other. The world needs
patient capital in the middle, so these economies can make the jump
from developing to developed and thus support rich, structurally-sound
capital markets. All the more reason and opportunity for funds like
Acumen to fill the void.

]]> Comment on Breakfast With Aun Rahman, Pakistan Country Director by Rob Katz http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/25/breakfast-with-aun-rahman-pakistan-country-director/#comment-136039 Thu, 01 May 2008 16:10:25 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/25/breakfast-with-aun-rahman-pakistan-country-director/#comment-136039 Thanks Munya. While I agree that African businesses are informal compared to European or American counterparts, some are not. It's interesting to look at the <a href="http://www.doingbusiness.org/" rel="nofollow">Doing Business</a> rankings published by the World Bank. Most African countries rank higher than Brazil, India and Indonesia - three countries that are receiving loads of foreign investment. Why? Partly it's an image problem, but I think things are beginning to change. There's a lot of interest in investing in Africa...new funds are cropping up all the time, and more savvy investors are taking note. Thanks Munya. While I agree that African businesses are informal compared to European or American counterparts, some are not. It’s interesting to look at the Doing Business rankings published by the World Bank. Most African countries rank higher than Brazil, India and Indonesia - three countries that are receiving loads of foreign investment. Why? Partly it’s an image problem, but I think things are beginning to change. There’s a lot of interest in investing in Africa…new funds are cropping up all the time, and more savvy investors are taking note.

]]> Comment on Hoos Excited About Social Entrepreneurship? UVA, Of Course by Premal http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/10/hoos-excited-about-social-entrepreneurship-uva-of-course/#comment-135760 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:01:17 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/10/hoos-excited-about-social-entrepreneurship-uva-of-course/#comment-135760 Hi Blair, Thanks for your response...this is useful to know. Premal Hi Blair,
Thanks for your response…this is useful to know.

Premal

]]> Comment on Breakfast With Aun Rahman, Pakistan Country Director by Munya http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/25/breakfast-with-aun-rahman-pakistan-country-director/#comment-135758 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:42:50 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/25/breakfast-with-aun-rahman-pakistan-country-director/#comment-135758 Wow great stuff is happening in Pakistan. I always ask myself how these kinds of efforts can be mass replicated in Africa but in my constant reading and research, African businesses seem to come short in terms of formalisation which is a key ingredient for an external actor like Acumen to come in with human and financial capital. How do we get past this hurdle? Wow great stuff is happening in Pakistan. I always ask myself how these kinds of efforts can be mass replicated in Africa but in my constant reading and research, African businesses seem to come short in terms of formalisation which is a key ingredient for an external actor like Acumen to come in with human and financial capital.

How do we get past this hurdle?

]]> Comment on On World Water Day by Ashoka Changemakers http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/03/22/on-world-water-day/#comment-135469 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:49:37 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/03/22/on-world-water-day/#comment-135469 Cast Your Vote in The Global Competition -- Tapping Local Innovation: Unclogging the Water and Sanitation Crisis Ashoka’s Changemakers and Global Water Challenge invite you to vote for the most innovative approaches to providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation worldwide. We’ve received 265 entries from 54 countries, and 8 finalists were chosen for their pioneering ideas: 1. Naandi Foundation, India 2. WaterParterns, United States 3. City Garbage Recyclers, Kenya 4. Ecotact – Innovating Sanitation, Kenya 5. Swayam Shikshan Prayog, India 6. Himanshu Parikh Consulting Engineers, India 7. The Clean Shop, South Africa 8. Centre for Community Organisation and Development, Malawi Now we need your help: Log onto www.changemakers.net, read through these inventive solutions and select your 3 favorites by May 11. The three winners will each receive $5,000. Your voice is vital. Vote today! Cast Your Vote in The Global Competition — Tapping Local Innovation: Unclogging the Water and Sanitation Crisis

Ashoka’s Changemakers and Global Water Challenge invite you to vote for the most innovative approaches to providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation worldwide.

We’ve received 265 entries from 54 countries, and 8 finalists were chosen for their pioneering ideas:

1. Naandi Foundation, India
2. WaterParterns, United States
3. City Garbage Recyclers, Kenya
4. Ecotact – Innovating Sanitation, Kenya
5. Swayam Shikshan Prayog, India
6. Himanshu Parikh Consulting Engineers, India
7. The Clean Shop, South Africa
8. Centre for Community Organisation and Development, Malawi

Now we need your help: Log onto www.changemakers.net, read through these inventive solutions and select your 3 favorites by May 11. The three winners will each receive $5,000.

Your voice is vital. Vote today!

]]> Comment on A Happy Customer by Aparajita http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/21/a-happy-customer/#comment-133724 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:20:32 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/21/a-happy-customer/#comment-133724 That's something great!!! Dorah...u r serving the little ones with quality care. Immunization is available free of cost at public health care centres, but we pay so much to be extra careful about our child. I think all parents would want to get the best for their child and u r giving them just that. Thanks. That’s something great!!! Dorah…u r serving the little ones with quality care. Immunization is available free of cost at public health care centres, but we pay so much to be extra careful about our child. I think all parents would want to get the best for their child and u r giving them just that. Thanks.

]]> Comment on A View From the Inside by Vinay Ganti http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/22/a-view-from-the-inside/#comment-133607 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:47:14 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/22/a-view-from-the-inside/#comment-133607 I agree with the value of employing business concepts to that of social ROI, but I find it intriguing that you used Porter's 5 forces as part of your analysis. At first blush it would seem as though threat of substitutes or new entrants would actually be good things for this space, because it would suggest that more people are trying to imitate your model to reach more people. It seems that minimal barriers to entry are ideal in this space, not the other way around. I agree with the value of employing business concepts to that of social ROI, but I find it intriguing that you used Porter’s 5 forces as part of your analysis. At first blush it would seem as though threat of substitutes or new entrants would actually be good things for this space, because it would suggest that more people are trying to imitate your model to reach more people.

It seems that minimal barriers to entry are ideal in this space, not the other way around.

]]> Comment on A View From the Inside by Brian McCarthy http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/22/a-view-from-the-inside/#comment-133462 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:41:52 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/22/a-view-from-the-inside/#comment-133462 Gerald, Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight! Basic housing is so fundamental and lacking in so many places. We're working to address housing for a tiny sliver of the population in Mexico, and its still a tremendous effort. I hope that you represent the 'wave of the future'. We need first class students with a business mindset to be attracted to Social Enterprise. Happy Earth Day! Best Regards, Brian Gerald,

Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight! Basic housing is so fundamental and lacking in so many places. We’re working to address housing for a tiny sliver of the population in Mexico, and its still a tremendous effort.

I hope that you represent the ‘wave of the future’. We need first class students with a business mindset to be attracted to Social Enterprise.

Happy Earth Day!

Best Regards,

Brian

]]> Comment on The Commercialization of Microfinance: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by Jeremy Gregg http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-132641 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:19:01 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-132641 With all the fluff writing on this topic, I thank you for this incredibly insightful anaylsis of both the strengths and weaknesses of MFIs. Jeremy Gregg, Editor The Raiser's Razor http://theraiser.blogspot.com/ With all the fluff writing on this topic, I thank you for this incredibly insightful anaylsis of both the strengths and weaknesses of MFIs.

Jeremy Gregg, Editor
The Raiser’s Razor
http://theraiser.blogspot.com/

]]> Comment on The Commercialization of Microfinance: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by Murali Srinivas http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-132452 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:23:21 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-132452 I completely agree with Zafar when she said that 'a non-sustainable MFI is fraudulent.'. Micro-finance is a financial service and has to be profitable to continue its business. I'd agree with Iskenderian's point of view about interest rates. Competition is the key! Indian MFIs have demonstrated profits while offering rates between just 26-32%. (Amongst the lowest in the world!). This is largely due to a fair and reasonable regulatory system. Coleman did open the curtain rightly by saying that micro-finance is at its inflection point. NGOs or entrepreneurs have cracked the basic models during the past decade, but require help from favorable regulation to grow and serve the remaining of the 4 billion population. Maybe it is time that microfinance facilitators shift their focus towards regulatory challenges. I completely agree with Zafar when she said that ‘a non-sustainable MFI is fraudulent.’. Micro-finance is a financial service and has to be profitable to continue its business. I’d agree with Iskenderian’s point of view about interest rates. Competition is the key! Indian MFIs have demonstrated profits while offering rates between just 26-32%. (Amongst the lowest in the world!). This is largely due to a fair and reasonable regulatory system.
Coleman did open the curtain rightly by saying that micro-finance is at its inflection point. NGOs or entrepreneurs have cracked the basic models during the past decade, but require help from favorable regulation to grow and serve the remaining of the 4 billion population. Maybe it is time that microfinance facilitators shift their focus towards regulatory challenges.

]]> Comment on The Commercialization of Microfinance: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by B.S.Suran http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-132332 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 06:00:17 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-132332 My comments Thanks for the feedback, it was posted on the microfinance Yahoo groups and thus gave us a chance to read. I do have a few comments to offer …. 1. On the issue unsustainability (and the risk of closing and breaking trust). i feel sustainability has to be viewed from a different perspective …the client , the primary stakeholder point of view and not mere institution …loaning done when it is needed is fine, institution should not clamour about credit intensification, depth of service ….blah blah etc and overtly ensure the institutions existence as their primary goal ...there are many ways to cut corners, if there is a will ( there is a way too) ...delivery systems like SHGs/ JLGs can work, technology , business correspondents , franchisees etc etc). 2. The other point about formality is so important, because a BoP client can never really come out of poverty if they are in the informal economy. To this I need to mention that charging at informal market rates, this formal institution( MFI) preaches informality ethos /culture and clubs with it inefficiency too. (While a money lender in the informal market …just charges high usurious rates…he is not inefficient in any sense..he just charges, because he wants to, he was no qualms about social missions...this in many cases are done with good information of the client…..one could say the risk is high, but when pawning of gold ornaments are done , they don’t reduce rates) In the same breath , it can be said that access to formal economy also does not allow sojourns out of poverty traps too..if it had then all our poverty programmes of the Government of India / others would have been a great success …let alone the leaky nature …whosoever clients( 15 % ) who have received the grant and loan should have moved out of poverty )....but the picture is much more dismal. Even in cases when non-subsidised bank lending is done ...where the poor clients is slipped into greater misery after availing loans.....i come from a village in kerala , India, my own neighbour who was a jobless ( unemployed )guy surviving on 1/2 ac of agri land with coconuts ...ventured out of this , mortgaged the land &#38; house to take a loan for motor vehicle to ferry people / tourists...ended up in a great tragedy...he had to give up his land due to non-repayments and defaults....now in virtual penury. Unfortunately many like us who have experienced this sought of practical experiences in mf don’t get access to Yale / world bank discussions or even the New Delhi ones …we are too poor (Bop) to be heard too. 3. the next observation about “commercialization has been a positive vehicle for achieving social missions” let me add that , cost + is a must ..but not over pricing and paying unsustainable salaries to the CEOs also…should they also NOT have a social slant, why do many that join mFis from B schools look for corporate salaries….many have an inkling to get the best of both …this is unfortunate. B.S.Suran, suranbs@gmail.com My comments
Thanks for the feedback, it was posted on the microfinance Yahoo groups and thus gave us a chance to read. I do have a few comments to offer ….
1. On the issue unsustainability (and the risk of closing and breaking trust). i feel sustainability has to be viewed from a different perspective …the client , the primary stakeholder point of view and not mere institution …loaning done when it is needed is fine, institution should not clamour about credit intensification, depth of service ….blah blah etc and overtly ensure the institutions existence as their primary goal …there are many ways to cut corners, if there is a will ( there is a way too) …delivery systems like SHGs/ JLGs can work, technology , business correspondents , franchisees etc etc).

2. The other point about formality is so important, because a BoP client can never really come out of poverty if they are in the informal economy. To this I need to mention that charging at informal market rates, this formal institution( MFI) preaches informality ethos /culture and clubs with it inefficiency too. (While a money lender in the informal market …just charges high usurious rates…he is not inefficient in any sense..he just charges, because he wants to, he was no qualms about social missions…this in many cases are done with good information of the client…..one could say the risk is high, but when pawning of gold ornaments are done , they don’t reduce rates) In the same breath , it can be said that access to formal economy also does not allow sojourns out of poverty traps too..if it had then all our poverty programmes of the Government of India / others would have been a great success …let alone the leaky nature …whosoever clients( 15 % ) who have received the grant and loan should have moved out of poverty )….but the picture is much more dismal. Even in cases when non-subsidised bank lending is done …where the poor clients is slipped into greater misery after availing loans…..i come from a village in kerala , India, my own neighbour who was a jobless ( unemployed )guy surviving on 1/2 ac of agri land with coconuts …ventured out of this , mortgaged the land & house to take a loan for motor vehicle to ferry people / tourists…ended up in a great tragedy…he had to give up his land due to non-repayments and defaults….now in virtual penury. Unfortunately many like us who have experienced this sought of practical experiences in mf don’t get access to Yale / world bank discussions or even the New Delhi ones …we are too poor (Bop) to be heard too.

3. the next observation about “commercialization has been a positive vehicle for achieving social missions” let me add that , cost + is a must ..but not over pricing and paying unsustainable salaries to the CEOs also…should they also NOT have a social slant, why do many that join mFis from B schools look for corporate salaries….many have an inkling to get the best of both …this is unfortunate.

B.S.Suran, suranbs@gmail.com

]]> Comment on The Commercialization of Microfinance: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by Manish Lohani http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-131934 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:18:43 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-131934 I think the "good" is the fact that with Mr Yunus winning the Nobel Prize made people accept the fact that Microfinance and not grants and charities are the way to alleviate poverty. And acceptance of the same by various governments around the World has helped in the momentum catching up for Microfinance. The "Bad" has been the worry that governments are trying to meddle in and the fear being that they might kill this industry and come back to charities, grants and so called government support systems. I think it might be good for the governments to help grow this industry and set up a regulatory body to monitor this industry. I think the “good” is the fact that with Mr Yunus winning the Nobel Prize made people accept the fact that Microfinance and not grants and charities are the way to alleviate poverty. And acceptance of the same by various governments around the World has helped in the momentum catching up for Microfinance.
The “Bad” has been the worry that governments are trying to meddle in and the fear being that they might kill this industry and come back to charities, grants and so called government support systems.
I think it might be good for the governments to help grow this industry and set up a regulatory body to monitor this industry.

]]> Comment on The Commercialization of Microfinance: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by Don http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-131538 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:56:02 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/18/the-commercialization-of-microfinance-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-131538 Any compeition against the loan sharks is good. The vig is high but these MFI are proto banks and should cease to be considered charitable. Any compeition against the loan sharks is good. The vig is high but these MFI are proto banks and should cease to be considered charitable.

]]> Comment on Hoos Excited About Social Entrepreneurship? UVA, Of Course by Blair Miller http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/10/hoos-excited-about-social-entrepreneurship-uva-of-course/#comment-131203 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:15:20 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/10/hoos-excited-about-social-entrepreneurship-uva-of-course/#comment-131203 Premal, Thank you for your post, you really hit on the key elements of our university strategy. Yes, institutionalizing our work is critical. For example The William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan, Stanford GSB, and Harvard Business School have all published or are in the process of publishing case studies on Acumen and our investments (Water Health International, 1298, Scojo, and Voxiva). This year we are pushing hard to increase the number of case studies written as well as working with professors to influence the curriculum at top business schools. Your second point around connecting the eager and skilled talent with the needs of our investees is a good one but as you mentioned a real challenge. We are doing this on a small scale, currently we are managing with 3 student teams in New York, India, and Tanzania, but this is such a small piece of the puzzle. As we move forward we working with some of our key partners to help us think through this issue. Stay tuned to our website as many ideas are brewing… Premal,

Thank you for your post, you really hit on the key elements of our university strategy.

Yes, institutionalizing our work is critical. For example The William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan, Stanford GSB, and Harvard Business School have all published or are in the process of publishing case studies on Acumen and our investments (Water Health International, 1298, Scojo, and Voxiva). This year we are pushing hard to increase the number of case studies written as well as working with professors to influence the curriculum at top business schools.

Your second point around connecting the eager and skilled talent with the needs of our investees is a good one but as you mentioned a real challenge. We are doing this on a small scale, currently we are managing with 3 student teams in New York, India, and Tanzania, but this is such a small piece of the puzzle.

As we move forward we working with some of our key partners to help us think through this issue. Stay tuned to our website as many ideas are brewing…

]]> Comment on Happy birthday, Acumen Fund! by Masami Sato http://blog.acumenfund.org/2006/04/06/happy-birthday-acumen-fund/#comment-128725 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:42:04 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2006/04/06/happy-birthday-acumen-fund/#comment-128725 Great work guys - keep this up. So wonderful what y are doing. Warmest Masami www.B1G1.com A Simple Idea Sharing The JOY Of Giving Great work guys - keep this up. So wonderful what y are doing.

Warmest

Masami
www.B1G1.com
A Simple Idea Sharing The JOY Of Giving

]]> Comment on More than one approach needed to fight malaria by Tom Gearing http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/08/20/more-than-one-approach-needed-to-fight-malaria/#comment-128680 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 04:47:24 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2007/08/20/more-than-one-approach-needed-to-fight-malaria/#comment-128680 Could the nets be "given away" as a "joining" gift for a club, like "People United for Better Health", which would have annual dues of one or two dollars? Every time someone in the US joins PBS, they get a book or a video, so could that model work in Africa? Bring in some guest speakers, have bi-monthly meetings, and any membership renewal dues would help reduce the subsidy needed in the future. Could the nets be “given away” as a “joining” gift for a club, like “People United for Better Health”, which would have annual dues of one or two dollars? Every time someone in the US joins PBS, they get a book or a video, so could that model work in Africa? Bring in some guest speakers, have bi-monthly meetings, and any membership renewal dues would help reduce the subsidy needed in the future.

]]> Comment on Hoos Excited About Social Entrepreneurship? UVA, Of Course by Premal http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/10/hoos-excited-about-social-entrepreneurship-uva-of-course/#comment-128472 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:21:51 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/10/hoos-excited-about-social-entrepreneurship-uva-of-course/#comment-128472 Thanks for this post. Like you say in this post, it's important that universities integrate social enterpruenership in the core curriculum. Having said that it would be nice for prospective students to have access to information about which universities are providing this curriculum. Secondly, I feel if some of the investment success stories from Acumen or other similar funds can be incoporated in the curriculum as case studies for students it would be a good learning experience. Finally, if students can do internships with investee companies as a part of the curriculum it would give first hand experience to them. I do recognize that the investee companies don't have enough resources to train or support these students so this is a problem that needs to be addressed. Thanks for this post.

Like you say in this post, it’s important that universities integrate social enterpruenership in the core curriculum. Having said that it would be nice for prospective students to have access to information about which universities are providing this curriculum.

Secondly, I feel if some of the investment success stories from Acumen or other similar funds can be incoporated in the curriculum as case studies for students it would be a good learning experience.

Finally, if students can do internships with investee companies as a part of the curriculum it would give first hand experience to them. I do recognize that the investee companies don’t have enough resources to train or support these students so this is a problem that needs to be addressed.

]]> Comment on Hoos Excited About Social Entrepreneurship? UVA, Of Course by Premal http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/10/hoos-excited-about-social-entrepreneurship-uva-of-course/#comment-128465 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:54:16 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/10/hoos-excited-about-social-entrepreneurship-uva-of-course/#comment-128465 I really liked this post for a few reasons. Like you mention it's good to see universities getting involved in making this a part of the curriculum. It would be great if prospective students can have access to information about unversities that specialize in social enterpreunership. The other thing I feel would be great to see is if some of the investment success stories from Acumen and other funds can become case studies for students in the universities. Finally, if there is a meaningful way to involve students in the investee companies like internships where they can learn first hand it would be good. I do recognize these companies don't have the luxury of providing training and support to students as they would find in a traditional internships with larger organizations. Thanks for the post. I really liked this post for a few reasons.

Like you mention it’s good to see universities getting involved in making this a part of the curriculum. It would be great if prospective students can have access to information about unversities that specialize in social enterpreunership.

The other thing I feel would be great to see is if some of the investment success stories from Acumen and other funds can become case studies for students in the universities.

Finally, if there is a meaningful way to involve students in the investee companies like internships where they can learn first hand it would be good. I do recognize these companies don’t have the luxury of providing training and support to students as they would find in a traditional internships with larger organizations.

Thanks for the post.

]]> Comment on Grameen and Veolia Address the Water Crisis by Aditi Mehra http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/09/grameen-and-veolia-address-the-water-crisis/#comment-128100 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:43:30 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/09/grameen-and-veolia-address-the-water-crisis/#comment-128100 Leaders who adopted the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 envisioned halving the proportion of people living without access to basic sanitation by the year 2015 – but we are nowhere near on pace to achieve that goal. Experts predict that by 2015, 2.1 billion people will still lack basic sanitation. At the present rate, sub-Saharan Africa will not reach the target until 2076. If we take up the challenge, the positive impact will reverberate far beyond better access to clean water. Every dollar invested in water and sanitation yields an estimated seven dollars worth of productive activity. And that comes on top of the immeasurable gains in cutting poverty, improving health and raising living standards. This will help all you people on this blog to do something along with the United Nations in your locality. Check this http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=47234928 Leaders who adopted the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 envisioned halving the proportion of people living without access to basic sanitation by the year 2015 – but we are nowhere near on pace to achieve that goal. Experts predict that by 2015, 2.1 billion people will still lack basic sanitation. At the present rate, sub-Saharan Africa will not reach the target until 2076.

If we take up the challenge, the positive impact will reverberate far beyond better access to clean water. Every dollar invested in water and sanitation yields an estimated seven dollars worth of productive activity. And that comes on top of the immeasurable gains in cutting poverty, improving health and raising living standards.
This will help all you people on this blog to do something along with the United Nations in your locality.
Check this
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=47234928

]]> Comment on Article: Will Social Entrepreneurship Reach a Tipping Point? by Al Hammond http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/03/article-will-social-entrepreneurship-reach-a-tipping-point/#comment-127663 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:14:50 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/03/article-will-social-entrepreneurship-reach-a-tipping-point/#comment-127663 It strikes me that the determinant of scaling for social enterprises is more than money. It might equally have to do with the business model and the extent to which it succeeds in strategically meeting the unmet social needs. Not all social enterprises are well enough conceived that they can scale. so more attention to design of the enterprise and its business model in the first place--and, I would say--and to the key challenges of the sector and country in which it intends to grow might be as important as investment. It strikes me that the determinant of scaling for social enterprises is more than money. It might equally have to do with the business model and the extent to which it succeeds in strategically meeting the unmet social needs. Not all social enterprises are well enough conceived that they can scale. so more attention to design of the enterprise and its business model in the first place–and, I would say–and to the key challenges of the sector and country in which it intends to grow might be as important as investment.

]]> Comment on Skoll World Forum: Phil Hope & Karen Tse by David Kam http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/03/27/skoll-world-forum-phil-hope-karen-tse/#comment-125865 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:35:33 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/03/27/skoll-world-forum-phil-hope-karen-tse/#comment-125865 Thanks to you and the Acumenfund for your blog coverage. For people who could not be there, it is an important piece of inspiration. We are setting up North America's first social stock exchange connected to a green social network, called the Green Stock Exchange (GREENSX) at: http://greensx.com, which will be launched in the Summer of 2008 to begin trading. It will trade shares in social businesses. A social business is a business that makes a profit, but benefits society as well. We have a triple bottom line (economic + social + environmental). Since all the listed companies on the exchange are pre-screened, evaluated, and audited according to social and sustainable guidelines set by the exchange, it will make it much easier for green investors to find and support social businesses. The GREENSX provides opportunities for small green Issuers to access public equity capital efficiently, while providing early stage investors, angel investors, and venture capitalists with greater liquidity. This includes a eBAY.com trading system for carbon credits. It is still in the beta stage testing. Check it out at: http://greensx.com. Thanks to you and the Acumenfund for your blog coverage. For people who could not be there, it is an important piece of inspiration.

We are setting up North America’s first social stock exchange connected to a green social network, called the Green Stock Exchange (GREENSX) at: http://greensx.com, which will be launched in the Summer of 2008 to begin trading. It will trade shares in social businesses. A social business is a business that makes a profit, but benefits society as well. We have a triple bottom line (economic + social + environmental).

Since all the listed companies on the exchange are pre-screened, evaluated, and audited according to social and sustainable guidelines set by the exchange, it will make it much easier for green investors to find and support social businesses. The GREENSX provides opportunities for small green Issuers to access public equity capital efficiently, while providing early stage investors, angel investors, and venture capitalists with greater liquidity.

This includes a eBAY.com trading system for carbon credits.

It is still in the beta stage testing. Check it out at: http://greensx.com.

]]> Comment on An Evening With the MFPA and Acumen Fund by Rob Katz http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/04/an-evening-with-the-mfpa-and-acumen-fund/#comment-125640 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:21:16 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/04/an-evening-with-the-mfpa-and-acumen-fund/#comment-125640 I would be remiss if I didn't mention the contributions of another Acumen colleague, Lalita Advani. Lalita's commitment to making this event happen - in addition to her excellent presentation - really drove the night from its outset through the finale. Thanks, Lalita! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the contributions of another Acumen colleague, Lalita Advani. Lalita’s commitment to making this event happen - in addition to her excellent presentation - really drove the night from its outset through the finale. Thanks, Lalita!

]]> Comment on An Evening With the MFPA and Acumen Fund by Sajjad http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/04/an-evening-with-the-mfpa-and-acumen-fund/#comment-125510 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:33:10 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/04/an-evening-with-the-mfpa-and-acumen-fund/#comment-125510 I got the email for this event but wasn't able to attend. I think the collaboration will be fantastic! There is a lot that Muslim Finance Professionals can contribute - God Willing. I got the email for this event but wasn’t able to attend. I think the collaboration will be fantastic! There is a lot that Muslim Finance Professionals can contribute - God Willing.

]]> Comment on Acumen Fund Celebrates Year 7 by David Kam http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/01/acumen-fund-begins-year-7/#comment-123175 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:20:43 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/04/01/acumen-fund-begins-year-7/#comment-123175 Bravo for celebrating 7 years. Hope to celebrate your 100 years. Thank you for doing good for the planet and humanity too. We are setting up North America's first social stock exchange connected to a green social network, called the Green Stock Exchange (GREENSX) at: http://greensx.com, which will be launched in the Summer of 2008 to begin trading. It will trade shares in small social businesses. A social business is a business that makes a profit, but benefits society as well. We have a triple bottom line (economic + social + environmental). Hope to partner with Acumen Fund in the future. Now, 99% of small businesses do not have access to public funds, yet small business has added 20 million new jobs over the last 15 years to the US economy, using less than 1% of publicly traded equity capital. Therefore, it is obvious that if small businesses had more access to public money via the Green Stock Exchange (GREENSX), they could propel the economy forward in a spectacular fashion. Financial funding for small green businesses are scarce with public money; SustainAbility, a consultancy and think tank, says " money remains the main headache for social businesses; 72% of the social businesses surveyed cited raising money as their main challenge". The Green Stock Exchange (GREENSX) intend to bridge this funding gap. Since all the listed companies on the exchange are pre-screened, evaluated, and audited according to social and sustainable guidelines set by the exchange, it will make it much easier for green investors to find and support social businesses. The GREENSX provides opportunities for small green Issuers to access public equity capital efficiently, while providing early stage investors, angel investors, and venture capitalists with greater liquidity. This includes a eBAY.com trading system for carbon credits. Check it out at: http://greensx.com. Bravo for celebrating 7 years. Hope to celebrate your 100 years. Thank you for doing good for the planet and humanity too.

We are setting up North America’s first social stock exchange connected to a green social network, called the Green Stock Exchange (GREENSX) at: http://greensx.com, which will be launched in the Summer of 2008 to begin trading. It will trade shares in small social businesses. A social business is a business that makes a profit, but benefits society as well. We have a triple bottom line (economic + social + environmental).

Hope to partner with Acumen Fund in the future.

Now, 99% of small businesses do not have access to public funds, yet small business has added 20 million new jobs over the last 15 years to the US economy, using less than 1% of publicly traded equity capital. Therefore, it is obvious that if small businesses had more access to public money via the Green Stock Exchange (GREENSX), they could propel the economy forward in a spectacular fashion.

Financial funding for small green businesses are scarce with public money; SustainAbility, a consultancy and think tank, says ” money remains the main headache for social businesses; 72% of the social businesses surveyed cited raising money as their main challenge”. The Green Stock Exchange (GREENSX) intend to bridge this funding gap.

Since all the listed companies on the exchange are pre-screened, evaluated, and audited according to social and sustainable guidelines set by the exchange, it will make it much easier for green investors to find and support social businesses. The GREENSX provides opportunities for small green Issuers to access public equity capital efficiently, while providing early stage investors, angel investors, and venture capitalists with greater liquidity.

This includes a eBAY.com trading system for carbon credits.

Check it out at: http://greensx.com.

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