Jacqueline Novogratz is the founder and CEO of Acumen Fund, a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of poverty. Acumen Fund aims to create a world beyond poverty by investing in social enterprises, emerging leaders, and breakthrough ideas. Under Jacqueline's leadership, Acumen Fund has invested more than $72 million in 65 companies in South Asia and Africa, all focused on delivering affordable
healthcare, water, housing and energy to the poor. These companies have created and supported more than 55,000 jobs, leveraged an additional $200 million, and brought basic services to tens of millions.
Curated by earthsayer
A Brighter Future |
Uploaded on Nov 30, 2009 Suranjini Kumar, a homemaker, relates how she has taken advantage D.Light, possible through the advances in light emitting diode (LED) technology, moving from oil lamps and matches to bright light in her home. The Challenge: More than 1.5 billion people in the world live without access to electricity. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals identify electricity as essential to eradicating poverty, calling for 500 million more people to be electrified by 2015. Many households rely on kerosene lanterns and candles to meet their lighting needs, but these light sources are expensive, hazardous, polluting and produce low-quality light. EarthSayers Jamie Billet; Suranjini Kumar |