Wow! Companies.
While at SAATH, I have met with a few incredible companies that are creating “social change” with very relevant, modern and venture strategies.
Shivia Microfinance
Olly and Sheetal, two very decorated, successful and inspiring social entrepreneurs, started Shivia with the goal of using charitable dollars to fund micro loans. All returns on loans are immediately recycled back into Shivia’s central fund so that the local populations can continue to benefit and build on their independent financial foundations. Their support doesn’t end with micro lending though; they provide their partners access to their network of tech firms, consultants, bankers, etc. They are currenlty working with SAATH.
RAN Research
I met Mitesh, one of the founders, at an AIF youth employability meeting in Delhi. RAN is an e-learning company that is using web-based and, more innovatively, mobile platforms (this is the future!!!) to enhance individual learning. We are arranging a meeting between RAN and SAATH to see if UMEED or the Urmila Home Manager program could benefit.
QUEST Alliance
I mentioned Quest in a previous blog, but they are merging education with technology to enhance elementary education and youth employability. They also had one of the most creative / effective pitch books I had ever seen. Blew any banking deck out of the water.
Rang De
The Kiva of India, Rang De allows Indian citizens to lend to local Indian enterepreneurs. We are trying to use Rang De for “livelihood finance” at SAATH. I believe that India has some regulatory conflicts that has prevented Kiva from pairing with Indian MFIs. Given the landscape of micfofinance in India, Rang De has incredible growth potential. They are also backed by a national bank which allowes them to offer very, very cheap loans to their impoversihed borrowers. An extremely responsible approach to microlending.
Endeavor India
Endeavor doesn’t really belong in this group as it is global consulting firm that “transforms the economies of emerging markets by identifying and supporting high-impact entrepreneurs” rather than a venture Indian social firm. But I’ve been in touch with the Endeavor India team for over a year and have recently gotten to know one of their employees, Ami, well. If you haven’t read about Endeavor, take a look.
finding rickshaw. 