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It has just been released a report highlighting the opportunities in technology and challenges for entrepreneurs. The study highlighted the importance of social business, made to improve the lives of people with the aid of innovation and focused on low-income population.
The report was made by the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), eBay Foundation and Institute of Corporate Citizenship (ICE), with the support of Artemisia, and Puerto Creates Global Digital
Among the challenges are: building a network capable of generating opportunities and develop the ecosystem of social impact business; identify technological services and products that contribute to improving the living conditions of Brazilians; explore the potential of technology in developing solutions to the underlying problems of the base of the pyramid.
The premises were discussed in sectoral meetings held in Sao Paulo and Recife in 2013 and 2014. The events gave rise to the report “Opportunities in technology for the bottom of the pyramid”, which features discussions on the role . technology for social development in Brazil
Opportunities for the technology base of the pyramid shows that technology platforms streamlined processes, shortened physical distances and baratearam services and products, creating many business opportunities – particularly in referred to classes C, D and E -, since access this portion of the population to services such as internet and mobile telephony tends to grow.
According to Rebeca Rocha, coordinator of ANDE in the last decade, Brazil has witnessed the significant growth of the middle class and reducing the number of individuals belonging to the lower classes of the country. “This social mobility led to changes in consumption habits of classes C, D and E, which have per capita income between R $ 641 and R $ 81. This portion of the population adheres increasingly to technological goods on the market. In order to exploit the potential of technology to generate social impact, ANDE prepared that report. “
The Unified Health System (SUS) is the only gateway to medical services for 70% Brazilian and education figures show that 47% of the population has basic literacy 27% are functionally illiterate; a contingent of 74% finds it difficult to understand financial products and services available in the market. “In response to these problems that afflict mainly the base of the pyramid, social impact of business entrepreneurs have presented innovative solutions to fill gaps in education, health and financial services – using technology – and at the same time, build profitable startups” said Maure Pessanha, executive director of Artemisia.
Pernambuco examples
The study also presents a number of existing businesses that use technology to promote socio-economic development. One is the OLHAconta – social impact of business accelerated by ARTEMISIA. A startup is a platform that promotes financial inclusion through mobile, inexpensive tool for entrepreneurs. Another initiative is the Saútil platform – facilitating access to public health services by offering free information on the availability of drugs, scheduling appointments and exams within the Unified Health System (SUS) services used mainly by the lower classes in the country.
Joy Street and Kiduca are two more examples of impact business accelerated by Artemisia and use technology in favor of inclusion. The first is an educational platform based on games and grounded in national curriculum guidelines. Already Kiduca motivates teachers and elementary school students to study more, through an interactive environment.
See details of the report, obtained exclusively by the NE10 / MundoBit.
Explore the potential of transforming technology
reflect on how technology can add elements to the development of classes C, D and E, reducing the mismatch between what she is able to develop and what the market is prepared to implement. Social impact of business should explore the technological innovations available to build new business concepts, and expand its area of operation with these classes.
Integrating the low-income population in the creative process
improve the coordination of existing actors within the social impact of business ecosystem in Brazil, developing more collaborative projects that integrate communities in formulating solutions for your needs. This practice may increase the number and efficiency of products and services for low-income people.
Producing knowledge about the field
develop more research and analysis on the needs and behaviors of consumers of classes C, D and E in relation to technological devices – and the reasons to invest in new business models. Also, invest in new courses in management innovation field and social impact business.
Engaging the public sector
strengthen the relationship with the Government and map potential for public-private partnerships at the local level. Also develop research on the results of government programs designed to address the needs of low-income populations. This approach can help the industry implement and monitor public policies, and investigate how technology will be complementary to these policies.
Strengthen networking
improve the connection between entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators, incubators and universities, both in the technology field as the social field, the various regions of the country; and encourage the involvement of young entrepreneurs of social impact business, educating them about the challenges of low-income communities and providing financial support to strategic planning competitions.
Strengthen the northeastern market impact of business
Despite having an extremely strong technology-based entrepreneurship ecosystem – especially in cities like Recife -, there is not much focus on social impact of business in the Northeast, a region that accounts for 83% of the population belonging to classes C, D and E. Although still missing actors and funds focused on this type of business, the increased interest in the sector in the region is promising and can be further explored.
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