Virtual telemedicine platforms, charitable clothing brands and accessible mobile banks are just some developing world innovations that are gaining attention thanks to their unique business models.
Breaking down common misconceptions surrounding developing nations, these examples include standouts like OMG Digital, a Ghanian youth media platform that shares cultural content while spotlighting innovations in African film, music, fashion and business. Another notable example is India's Kampus Karma platform that connects college students across the country, giving them a chance to share assignments and notes or to set-up exam study sessions.
Other developing world innovations to take note off include self-testing HIV kits that make crucial medical treatment more accessible for those that cannot afford it, along with solar energy and data-sharing startups that aim to make electricity and internet access more cost-effective for low income families.
22 Developing World Business Innovations
22
Tradition-Protecting Sandals
This Company Aims to Restore An Ancient Shoe-Making Tradition
21
Handcrafted Ghanaian Footwear
Kwame Baah Traditional Shoes Support Artisans in Ghana
20
Solar Energy Startups
This Solar Startup Offers Solar Power Services and Accepts Mobile Payments
19
Contraceptives Delivery Drones
Long-Flying UAVs are Being Used to Prevent Unwanted Pregnancies
18
Solar-Powered Delivery Drones
These Solar-powered Drones Can Deliver Goods to Rural Areas
17
Video Chat ATMs
Singapore's DBS Bank is Testing ATMs with a Live Video Call Option
16
Open-Source Wheelchair Designs
The 'Safariseat' is Designed for People in Developing Countries
15
Hand-Painted Scarf Collections
This Brand of Scarves is Ethically Produced in Bangladesh
14
Ceremonial African Beers
'BUSAA' Positions a Traditional Kenyan Drink as a Contemporary Craft Beer
13
African Youth Media Platforms
OMG Digital Describes Itself as the BuzzFeed for Africa
12
Data-Donating Refugee Campaigns
Three Sweden Lets Customers Donate Their Leftover Data to UNHCR
11
Self-Testing HIV Kits
Project Masiluleke is an HIV Kit That Consumers Can Use to Test Themselves
10
Virtual Campus Platforms
The Campus Karma Platform Aims to Connect College Students Across India
9
Streamlined Telemedicine Startups
This Health-Tech Startup Uses Tele-Consulting For Targeted Care
8
Sugar Sensor Startups
NubeSol's Remote Sensing Services Are Boosting the Indian Sugar Industry
7
Risk-Revealing Conservation Campaigns
The African Conservation Foundation Offers Frightening Stats
6
Slum Beacon Projects
Beacons are Helping Mumbai Slums Compete in Retail and Manufacturing
5
Online African Art Initiatives
'IrokoX' is an Online Platform for Pan-African Artists
4
Cashless Crop Payments
Mastercard's '2Kuze' App Delivers Faster Payments to Farmers
3
Accessible Mobile Banks
The Just Launched Airtel Payments Bank is the First of Its Kind in India
2
App-Free Rideshare Ordering
Uber Patrons in India can Order a Ride Through dial.uber.com
1
Mobile Maternal Health Solutions
The GiftedMom Health Care App Helps Mothers in Developing Areas
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Interactive E-Waste Billboards
Currys' Cash for Trash Billboards Tackle E-Waste
Social e-Commerce Platforms
Hoppn Creates "A New Type of Centralized Online Shopping Experience"
Smartwatch-Attached Smartphone Concepts
The Conceptual Sony Smart Switch Ecosystem is All-in-One
Digital Nomad Concept Cars
This Multipurpose Car Was Envisioned By Students From Skoda
Water-Scarce Product Concepts
The Drop Store Envisions Products from a World with Less Water
Expressive AR Fashion
Innovation Metaverse Design Story is a Digital Collection from H&M
Inclusive Mobility-Focused Fashion
The Adaptable Collection by Will&Well Aims for Inclusivity
Globally-Inspired Patterned Furniture
3form Unveils the new Global Expressions Collection
Three-Sided Coins
Vdk Created a 3D Coin to Spark Conversations About Money, People and the Planet
Biomaterial Leather Bags
A Big Indian Story is Bringing Sustainable Fashion to India
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
On-Demand Fashion Production
Shein Moves Away From its Fast Fashion Roots with New Manufacturing
Brainstorming Business Idea Tools
IdeaMate is the Solution to Fighting Stale Business Ideas
Digital-Oriented Restaurant Redesigns
Wendy's Rolls Out New Design Concept, 'Global Next Gen'
Digital Sustainable Food Solutions
Special Projects Debuts Eco Lenses to Help with Decision-Making
Co-Browsing Shopping Platforms
buywith's Next Gen Co-Browsing Patent Helps Customers Shop Together
On-Demand Disability Care Platforms
'Joshin' Offers On-Demand Care at the Press of a Button
Digital Streetwear Collaborations
The Fabricant x Highsnobiety Dropped During Paris Fashion Week
Eco-Friendly Inclusive Apparel
SHEIN Launches evoluSHEIN Line Designed to be Accessible for All
Circular Design Challenges
The 'Make It Circular Challenge' Tackles Climate Change
Free Content Creation Platforms
'Piggy' Raised $7.7 Million to Launch its Platform on ProductHunt
Metaverse Development Brands
Best Web3 Development Creates Comprehensive Metaverse Solutions
Virtual Banking Environments
The Uni-Verse is a Banking Metaverse for Union Bank of India Clients
Inclusive Fashion Runways
The Runway of Dreams Foundation Returns for New York Fashion Week
Africa-Focused Digital Wallets
Abba Payments Debuts a Digital Wallet Service for African Consumers
Digital Food Waste-Reducing Platforms
Hitachi Digital Services Collaborates with Onethird
Digital Currency Piggy Banks
This 'Smart Piggy' Bank Concept Upgrades a Classic
Advanced Adaptive Retail Experiences
Walmart Unveiled New Retail Technologies at CES 2024
Food Truck Billboards
McDonald's Transformed Billboards into Digital Food Truck Displays
Indigenous Ingredient-Celebrating Products
Jungle Kitchen Just Launched a New Vegan Food Range
AI-Powered Fintech Tools
Square Introduces Ten New Generative AI Features for Content Creation
Viral Video Databases
Viral Ideas Offers Inspiration for a Content Creator's Next Big Video
Inclusive Digital Platform Experiences
Google Launches More Inclusive Assistance to its Platforms
Creative Side Hustle Platforms
The 'Rassa' Platform Helps Users with Creative Ventures
Social Commerce Apps
GIST is an App-Based Social Platform for Sharing Purchases with Friends
Reimagined Sustainable Menswear
22Ahead Has Relaunched Its Eco-Friendly Menswear With New Benefits
Parent-Connected Teen Shopping Apps
Hollister's Debuts New 'Share2Pay' For Teen Shoppers
Data-Driven Health Management Platforms
The 'Iterate Health' Platform Provides Actionable Insights
Zero-Waste Voucher Solutions
On-us Launches New Technology for Sustainable Event Engagement
Trans Kidney Health Ads
Africa Creative's Ad Sheds Light on Trans Community's Kidney Health Burden
Empowering Fashion Films
Victoria's Secret World Tour Reimagines the Iconic Show as a Feature Film
Short-Form Video Platforms
YouTube is Updating its 'Shorts' Service with New Monetization Options
Experiential Shopping Platforms
sune Shares a Fun and Engaging Way for Gen Z to Shop
Remote Team Collaboration Platforms
The 'Vani' Visual Collaboration Platform is Intuitive
Supportive Entrepreneur Communities
Ooutliers Shares Insights From Successful Startups
Engaging Airline Platforms
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Launches a New Travel Well Platform
Food Entrepreneurship Programs
Nestle Launches Its New 'Youth Entrepreneurship Platform'
Organically Shaped Classroom Designs
Localworks Builds the Mustardseed Junior School in Uganda
Paper-Free Retail Receipts
The Diebold Nixdorf Vynamic Digital Receipt is Sustainable
Simple B2B Payment Apps
Hopscotch Enables "Instant, Fee-free Payments for Small Businesses"
Forest-Protecting Fashion Brand Initiatives
Canopy Leads an Initiative So Save the Forests
Virtual Fashion Marketplaces
Draup is Revolutionizing the Future of Digital Fashion
Biotech Base Layers
These Bio-Based Base Layers are Made with Planet-Friendly Fabrics
Social Marketplace Updates
Instagram Launches a Marketplace to Better Connect Brands and Creators
Pioneering Secondhand Search Engines
Beni Dominates Resale Marketplace with Innovative App
Blockchain Data Marketplaces
'GoKnown' Offers Secure Ledgers for Data Transactions
African-Inspired Printed Spring Fashion
Engineered Garments Unveils its New Capsule for SS23
Gen Z Sustainability Initiatives
Puma's Voices of a RE:GENERATION is a Project with Changemakers
Gen Z Budgeting Platforms
Buddy and Klarna Teamed Up to Support Gen Z Financial Health
Sustainable E-Commerce Businesses
SustainKart is an Indian Marketplace Prioritizing Sustainability
Digital Banking Metaverses
HSBC Confirms Plans to Debut a Virtual Banking Service in the Metaverse
Social Messaging Money Transfers
Viber Enters the World of Fintech with 'Payments on Viber'
Chat App E-Commerce Integrations
'Charles' Seamlessly Blends Chat Services with Online Retailers
Inclusive Productivity Apps
The 'Deepwrk' Body Doubling Platform is for Adults with ADHD
Influencer Search Apps
Mavn Connects Influencers with Their Favorite Brands for Paid Opportunities
Whimsical Virtual Beauty Shops
The Laneige Virtual World is an Experiential Beauty Shop
Community-Made Skincare Products
Consumers Can Help Make Kiki World's Skin Development Kit
Digital Passport Partnerships
Viamedici Partnered with Sustain360 on Environmental Initiatives
Multi-Use Non-Payment Wallets
Google Wallet India Unveils an Expansion for Non-Payment Services
Innovative SCO Kiosks
Austrian Brand Shopreme Debuts a New Self-Checkout Kiosk for Retailers
Virtual Avatar Workers
The Bite Ninja Platform Allows Retailers to Outsource Cashier Work Online
QR-Equipped Fashion Collections
Nobody's Child Introduces QR Codes for its New Product Line
Accessible Mixed-Reality Media
Chapter 2 Welcomes New Society to Revolutionize the Media Frontier
Social Good Smartwatch Straps
The Samsung Global Goals Band Supports the UNDP
Educational Freelancer Platforms
The 'Owledge' Online Learning Platform Offers Expert Education
Virtual Game Tourism Campaigns
Cape Town Launches a Virtual Game for a New Tourism Campaign
Problem-Based Website Ideas
Painkiller Ideas Offers a Database of Real Consumer Problems
AI Africa-Based Travel Apps
The Akwaaba App Provides Insights and Boasts Sustainable Travel
Freelance Payment Platforms
Revolt Launches New Finance App Dedicated to Self-Employed Workers
Kid-Focused Finance Apps
ABN Amro Launches a Financial Literacy App for Children
Retail Social Platforms
Walmart is Taking Social Media Seriously with 'Walmart Creator'
B2B eCommerce Retailer Platforms
Walmart Business Streamlines Access to Essentials
Compact Payment Devices
Dojo Releases a Pocket-Sized Card Machine for Convenient Table Payments
Visual Payment Apps
Vizme Turns the Experience of Sending or Spending Money Into Stories
B2B Travel Booking Platforms
WeTravel Improves Booking and Payment Solutions for Travel Companies
Convenient remote healthcare
DrOnCall Offers Quality, Remote Patient Experiences
Global Phone Call Solutions
Callmama is a Virtual Phone Numbers App Spanning 150 Counteries
Web3-Based Storytelling Projects
The Fabricant Launches Wholeland: A Web3 Fashion Experience
Comprehensive Online Healthcare Plans
Clinikk's Smart Plans Save Users Hundreds on Healthcare
Global Money-Transferring Apps
HSBC Unveils its Inclusive 'Zing' App and Debit Card in the UK
Interconnected Messaging Ecosystems
Whatsapp to Introduce Support for Messages Third-Party Apps
Vocational Education Advocacy Campaigns
Kagiso Trust and Sasol Foundation Launch a New Initiative
Digital Healthcare Expansions
Australian Telehealth Company Coviu Launches in the United States
UAE-Based Digital Wallets
UAE’s Mbank Collaborates with Dgpays for Digital Wallet Offering
Expanded Cross-Border Payments
Visa Announces the Expansion of its Visa+ Program for US Customers
Plant-Based Retail Platforms
Earth Pass Connects Eco Consumers and Vegan Brands
Africa-Themed STEM Crafts
Teni & Tayo Offers a Subscription Box of STEM Crafts Inspired by Africa
Interest-Based Matchmaker Apps
Wana Matches People Based on Shared Interests
Entrepreneurial Mentorship platforms
GrowthMentor Connects Individuals for 1:1 Support
Anonymous Gratitude-Exchanging Platforms
'A Little Optimism' Let's People Share Weekly Gratitudes
Teen-Targeted Banking Features
Verizon Launches 'Family Money' For Gen Z and Gen Alpha Bankers
Pre-Launch B2B Startup Apps
Faindrr Focuses on Growth and Connections Between new Startup Founders
Social E-Commerce Platforms
TikTok is Launching a New E-Commerce Platform for Consumers
Awareness-Raising Poverty Campaigns
Oxfam Australia Debuts a Platform Called 'Unaccept Inequality'
Financial Literacy Platforms
Secret U Supports Gen Z Women with Free Tools for Financial Success
Personality-Focused Dating Apps
The Bokay App Expands Its Services Across Canada
Multigenerational Workforce Apps
Microland Launches a Global Mobile App for Its Digital Workforce
Creator Content Hubs
TikTok Launches a New World Hub to Help Brands Connect with Audiences
Managed Web3 Development Services
Google Cloud Unveiled the 'Blockchain Node Engine' for Devs
Seamless Automotive Shopping Apps
Awin Group of Dealerships Launches Mobile App to Enhance CX
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
African Digital Wallet Platforms
Union54 Launches a New Social Commerce Platform Called ChitChat
Global Money-Managing Apps
Zing Empowers Users to Send Money Internationally, Worry-Free
Charitable Digital Brochures
C.O Cosméticos Partnered with SOS Pantanal on QR Code Initiative
Non-Profit Virtual Care Organizations
MUSC Health and MetroHealth Launch New Virtual Care Company
Revamped Modern Phone Booths
100architects Brings Digital Touches to the Classic Phone Booth
Network-Connecting AI Solutions
Village AI Connect with Your Network to Close Deals
Teen-Focused Prepaid Cards
Teen and Tween Prepaid Card App Savii Launches in the UAE
West African Super Apps
'ShaQ Express' has Evolved from Logistics to a Super App in a Few Years
Ethical Supply Chain Initiatives
'ASOS' is Taking Steps to Weed Out Vendors Who Use Child Labor
India-Based Refurbishing Brands
ReFit Global Sources Phones for Affordable Second-Hand Reselling
Global P2P Transfer Services
Eco Inc Unveils Beam, a P2P Crypto Transfer Service
Digital Age-Diverse Platforms
Growing with Age is a Platform for Sustaining Age-Diverse Workforces
Inclusive Try-On Programs
Perfect Corp. Connects Beauty Brands with Digital Beauty Innovation
Social Good Brand Practices
Dignity Coconuts Positions Itself to Combat Human Trafficking
Failed Digital Product Databases
Dead Product Marketplace is a Graveyard for Abandoned Projects
Asian Monetization Platforms
TipTip Helps Southeast Asian Creators Monetize Their Content
Children-Supporting Trust Initiatives
The Children who Trust Again Campaign Supports Abuse Victims
Community Borrowing Apps
Borrow Encourages Neighbours to Interact and Share
Digital Commercial Payment Apps
Mastercard Unveils the Mobile Virtual Card App for Businesses
Accessible Home Services Marketplaces
Urban Company Recently Made Its Platform More Accessible
South African Retail Expansions
Amazon Unveils its First Expansion into the African Continent
UK Contactless Pay Expansions
Apple Tap to Pay Lets iPhone Users Pay Seamlessly in the UK
Diverse Leadership Inanities
Civic Nation Launched a New Initiative Dubbed the Change Collective
Africa-Focused Finance Apps
Orange Launches the New Super-App 'Max It' for African Markets
Mental Health Community Engagement
OOt Social Health Recently Launched Its Application
Low Income-Targeted Payroll Platforms
B9 Secures $2.6 Million to Further Develop Its Platform
Educational CSR Initatives
Shimanto Bank Contributes to Bangladesh's Education Assistance Trust
Philanthropic Investment Banks
Builders Vision Helps Build a More Humane and Healthy Planet
Comprehensive Indian Payment Tools
BharatPe Unveils the Country's First All-in-One Payment Device