Comments on: Oxford Jam: Social Impact Investing in Tech in Africa

By: HASH

HASH — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 04:59:08 +0000

@William - That's true, there's a need for support on both the business plan, and the presentation/pitching support. By the way, the one example I gave in the talk about companies that "checked all the boxes" for funding was one of your fundees: M-Farm.

By: curiouscasey

curiouscasey — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:43:03 +0000

sounds really good when people use technology to connect and make a difference

By: N. Neelley Hicks

N. Neelley Hicks — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:37:31 +0000

The United Methodist Church is working with communicators throughout Africa and the Philippines to utilize Frontline SMS in areas like healthcare, education, job skills development, etc. Mobile phones have made such a difference in connecting people who’ve been so cut off from advances in technology. Frontline is great, and I know it’s just the start of working with people whose social impact can save and improve quality of lives. We’re hopeful that we can also use Ushahidi in mapping disaster relief efforts & other important work. Thanks for sharing your knowledge – it’s making a difference!

By: william hoyle

william hoyle — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:26:50 +0000

Perhaps one of the issues is the extent to which the support that these hubs are providing currently includes the pre-commercial support required to get tech start ups investment ready? I hear some grumbles from investors of all hues about the dismally low proportion of start ups looking for funding that have an investable business plan