Expanding Dr. Yunus' Sphere of Influence

I came across this post looking at our visitors. Thanks to Ross for pointing us in the direction of some of very exciting social enterpreneurship funds and new blogs to follow.

Social entrepreneurship and micro venture capital

Microfinance has been the rage in international development for awhile now. I would say it peaked when Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

The rage today in international development is social entrepreneurship and venture capital investing in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Social entrepreneurship targets base of pyramid development but a step above microfinance. Where as microfinance typically invests in small individual loans, social entrepreneurs invest debt or equity as business partners.

The places to start seeking information:
Ashoka.org
Technoserve

Social entrepreneurship funds:
Acumen Funds
Agora Partnerships (Ross is an intern there)
Endeavor (President is James Wolfenshon)

Blogs on social entrepreneurship:
The Green Skeptic
NextBillion.net

Where you can do it online:
MicroPlace
Betterplace

I recommend checking the links out. They each bring something new and enlightening.