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- The Startup Velocity Question
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- Man and Superman
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- The Future: End of Capitalism
- Capitalism 2.0
Microfranchise: Early Adopters
By David Stoker, Guest Author Whenever ‘MicroFranchising’ is mentioned a prominent example is cited: the Scojo Foundation. It was recently highlighted in the January 2007 edition of the Economist and in an article by Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar in the Economic Times entitled MicroFranchising: the Next Big Thing. Scojo brings reading glasses to the poor
Social Entrepreneur: Harish Hande (Part 4)
Selco has faced some significant challenges, as you might imagine. Here we talk about some of the second-phase obstacles that Selco is in some ways still working to overcome. SM: Were there any other obstacles that stand out? HH: Another obstacle we faced was making the transition from solar lighting to solar power. One of
Social Entrepreneur: Harish Hande (Part 3)
Here we delve into the philosophy behind Selco – what makes the company what it is. We explore not only the operations philosophy, but also some of the social and cultural philosophies of the company. SM: Can you explain the business of Selco at this point to us? HH: The whole philosophy of Selco is
Social Entrepreneur: Harish Hande (Part 2)
Harish focused on creating an energy solutions company in rural India. Here, we discuss locations and other issues of getting Selco off the ground. SM: When you moved back to India, where did you set your headquarters? HH: We headquartered in Bangalore. My mother is from Karnataka, so it was a choice between Orissa and
Social Entrepreneur: Harish Hande (Part 1)
Dr. Harish Hande is the co-founder of Selco, a rural sustainable energy company which has over 80,000 installations and 25 retail sales and service centers all over Karnataka, a state in Southern India. Among its many accomplishments, Selco has created India’s first rural solar financing program using regional banks. I recently talked with Harish about
As India Builds (Part 8)
In the front portico, several cousins assembled around Wall Street banker Ronti’s Blackberry and marveled. As I joined them, eyes darted to me. “You probably have one of these?” “Sure, I have a Treo,” I replied, my eyes glazing over the Blackberry, to focus on the marble staircase on which, at four, I fell and
As India Builds (Part 7)
Our family, miraculously, still holds the old property pretty much intact. The partition suit continues, providing the building itself a temporary protection. Meanwhile the real estate boom in India marches on around it, with the house sitting there, frightened, like an old bride of Bengal at the mercy of the patriarchs. On my recent trip,
As India Builds (Part 6)
The face of Calcutta is degenerating fast. Droves of glittering shopping malls welcome young Calcuttans – since among other things India is also importing Retail Therapy. A new credit card industry booms. The expanding middle class rejoices in the sudden Western availability of product after product after product. Satya Paul saris and Giorgio Armani jackets