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100 Poverty-Focused Social Innovations

From One for One Eyewear Lines to Microcredit Sanitation

From microcredit sanitation service programs to one for one eyewear lines, this SocialBusiness.org top list of poor-focused social innovations takes eradicating poverty to be its number one mission. With such a big array of enterprises and businesses, it seems as though there are a number of ways to tackle one of the biggest societal, human and international problems that the entire world is dealing with today.

As a global issue, some of these poor-focused social innovations take a vested interest in coupling poverty alleviation with climate change, gender inequality and international and domestic conflict. No one thing can be taken in isolation. "Just as poverty cannot be solved overnight by one solution, philanthropy can take many forms," writes a Daniel Lurie in a recent article on how the technology industry itself can approach poverty solutions.
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
99
Collective Change Organizations
Collective Change Organizations
The Big Life Group is a Social Business Subverting the Status Quo
<
98
Cross-Sector BoP Networks
Cross-Sector BoP Networks
The Centre for Partnerships for Development Released a Report
<
97
Bond-Creating Community Networks
Bond-Creating Community Networks
Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership is Holistic
<
96
Inclusive Business Networks
Inclusive Business Networks
Practitioner Hub is a Place to Share and Network Online
<
95
Problem-Oriented Un-Conferences
Problem-Oriented Un-Conferences
Opportunity Collaboration Attempts to Reinvent the Code
<
94
Surplus Gift Collaborations
Surplus Gift Collaborations
'Agence du Don en Nature' Works with Corporations to Redistribute
<
93
Tech-Focused Continent Narratives
Tech-Focused Continent Narratives
The Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative Promotes Entrepreneurship
<
92
Cross-Sector Strategists
Cross-Sector Strategists
The Partnering Initiative Supports Collaboration for Social Change
<
91
Private Sector Hunger Campaigns
Private Sector Hunger Campaigns
'Nutrition for Growth' is an Event Attempting to Bridge Business
<
90
Intercropped Smallholder Farming
Intercropped Smallholder Farming
Shegole Coffee Cooperative Initiative Supports Food Crops Too
<
89
Small Biz Impact Reports
Small Biz Impact Reports
The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs Released Its Data
<
88
Poverty Non-Profit Prints
Poverty Non-Profit Prints
The Fresh Words Market LIFT Collaboration Says 'Be Fearless'
<
87
Red Nosed Charity Tees
Red Nosed Charity Tees
The Stella McCartney for Comic Relief Tees Support a Poverty Free World
<
86
Microcredit Sanitation Services
Microcredit Sanitation Services
The Gramalaya Urban and Rural Development Initiatives and Network
<
85
Community-Empowering Language Lessons
Community-Empowering Language Lessons
Speak Shop Enables 1-1 Spanish Tutoring Over Skype
<
84
Future-Oriented MDG Responses
Future-Oriented MDG Responses
Business Action for Africa is a Network of Collaborations
<
83
Impact-Based Contracts
Impact-Based Contracts
Instiglio Adapts Bonds to Join Various Sectors in Developing Countries
<
82
Remote Agriculture Broadcasts
Remote Agriculture Broadcasts
The Smallholders Farmers Rural Radio Supports Communities in Nigeria
<
81
Creative Power Forums
Creative Power Forums
The Social Business Conference 2012 Featured Muhammad Yunus
<
80
Global Goods Tracking Sites
Global Goods Tracking Sites
The iuMAP Project Tracks and Maps Global Social Enterprise
<
79
Mini Health Center Chains
Mini Health Center Chains
Access Afya is a Social Enterprise with Small, High-Tech Care Sites
<
78
Online Business Skill-Sharing
Online Business Skill-Sharing
Mentori Connects You Internationally as a Mentor or a Mentee
<
77
Crowdsourced Public Abuse Reports
Crowdsourced Public Abuse Reports
Safecity is Attempting to Map Unsafe Spaces in Indian Cities
<
76
World Bank Books
World Bank Books
'The New Microfinance Handbook: A Financial Market System Perspective'
<
75
Health Care Smart Cards
Health Care Smart Cards
Changamka Microhealth Ltd is an Outpatient Company in Kenya
<
74
Community-Building Crafts
Community-Building Crafts
Elevyn Provides the Tools to Connect Artisans with the Global Market
<
73
One for One Eyewear Lines
One for One Eyewear Lines
The Warby Parker Do Good Initiative Provides Reading Glasses to the Poor
<
72
Local Leadership Projects
Local Leadership Projects
International Development Exchange was Founded in 1985
<
71
Humanitarian Greeting Cards
Humanitarian Greeting Cards
100cameras Snaps Pictures of Children in Sudan for Its Latest Endeavor
<
70
American-Based Microlending
American-Based Microlending
ACCION Chicago Provides Financial Access to Small Business Owners
<
69
2 Cent Diabetes Test
2 Cent Diabetes Test
Business Students Created a Cheap Way to Test for the Preventable Disease
<
68
Social Entrepreneurship Vlogs
Social Entrepreneurship Vlogs
Cafe Impact Sheds Lights on Individuals' Career Paths
<
67
Business Development-Focused Cuisine
Business Development-Focused Cuisine
Exceline Catering's Founders Commit to Small Enterprise Ideas
<
66
Impactful Intrapreneurship Ventures
Impactful Intrapreneurship Ventures
Central City Concern is an Innovative Portland Non-Profit
<
65
Community Investing Travel
Community Investing Travel
Carpe Diem Travel Gives Profits to Poverty-Sticken Asian Villages
<
64
Impact-Driven Cookstove Designers
Impact-Driven Cookstove Designers
Prakti Design Produces Innovative Cookstoves for the Poor
<
63
Cashless Microfinance
Cashless Microfinance
Musoni Delivers Banking Services by Way of Cellphones
<
62
Social Street Papers
Social Street Papers
Real Issues Magazine Empowers Communities Marginalized by Poverty
<
61
Cassava Beer
Cassava Beer
The SABMiller 'Eagle' is the Company's Ghanaian Brew
<
60
Social Business Supporters
Social Business Supporters
Ankur Capital Helps Impact-Driven Businesses in India Succeed
<
59
Guarantor Model Capital
Guarantor Model Capital
MicroCredit Enterprises Uses the Funds of People with a High Net Worth
<
58
Women-Empowering Apparel
Women-Empowering Apparel
The Mata Traders Fall 2013 Catalog Combines Rustic and Modern with Impact
<
57
Urban Housing Banks
Urban Housing Banks
Jamii Bora is a Microfinance Institution Based in Nairobi, Kenya
<
56
Community-Supporting Snapbacks
Community-Supporting Snapbacks
The SEA Brand Notes a Quarter of Proceeds to Poverty Tansitioning
<
55
Decentralized Waste Management Solutions
Decentralized Waste Management Solutions
'Sampurn(e)arth' Works in Mumbai to Engage Waste-Pickers
<
54
Mobile Life-Saving Enterprises
Mobile Life-Saving Enterprises
Dial 1298 Provides Emergency Medical Attention to Individuals
<
53
Microfinancing Poverty Solutions
Microfinancing Poverty Solutions
Lumana Credit is Microlending to Rural Africans from Seattle
<
52
Green Coal Options
Green Coal Options
Eco-Fuel Africa Works on Creating Sustainable Energy Technologies
<
51
POS Social Enterprises
POS Social Enterprises
Frogtek Uses Cellphones to Bring Tools to Small-Scale Retailers
<
50
Market-Oriented Non-Profits
Market-Oriented Non-Profits
Acumen Fund Uses Entrepreneurial Strategies to Fight Global Poverty
<
49
Vibrant Community-Produced Purses
Vibrant Community-Produced Purses
These byTavi Handbags Help Stop Human Trafficking in Cambodia
<
48
Micro Forestry Startups
Micro Forestry Startups
KOMAZA Creates Sustainable Economic Opportunities for Farmers in Africa
<
47
Low-Income Microfinance Associations
Low-Income Microfinance Associations
RADIM Works in Buenos Aires to Support Economic Development
<
46
Medicinal Transport Pods
Medicinal Transport Pods
'Matternet' Offers Incredible Solutions to Help the Majority World
<
45
Ethical Pillow Dresses
Ethical Pillow Dresses
Scarlet Threads Sells Vibrant Fashion to Create Employment in Rural China
<
44
Craft Connecting Platforms
Craft Connecting Platforms
'Industree Crafts Foundation' Networks Artists with Retailers Over Indi
<
43
Conscious Innovation Consultancies
Conscious Innovation Consultancies
Mandalah's CEO was Named One of the Most Creative People in Biz
<
42
Non-Profit Supporting Bistros
Non-Profit Supporting Bistros
Central City Coffee is a Social Enterprise Cafe in Portland
<
41
Global Microfinance Networks
Global Microfinance Networks
FINCA Provides Financial Services to Low-Income Entrepreneurs
<
40
Poverty-Aiding Wooden Watches
Poverty-Aiding Wooden Watches
This Eco Wooden Watch Feeds 10 Meals to Hungry Children
<
39
Fair Trade Hygienic Goods
Fair Trade Hygienic Goods
Hand in Hand Soap Helps Cleanse and Eradicate Poor Hygiene
<
38
BioTrade Butterfly Businesses
BioTrade Butterfly Businesses
'Alas de Colombia' Generates Income Through Sustainable Farming
<
37
Globetrotting Craft Sites
Globetrotting Craft Sites
Globein is a Virtual Marketplace for Artisans from Around the World
<
36
Alternative Loan Products
Alternative Loan Products
Fair Finance Offers Affordable Banking to Urban Populations
<
35
Poverty Business Development
Poverty Business Development
TechnoServe is an International Nonprofit Founded in 1968
<
34
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Muhammad Yunus's Grameen Bank Has Revolutionized Finance
<
33
Benevolent Babe Threads
Benevolent Babe Threads
For Every Onesie Bought 'Baby Teresa' Gives One to a Child in Need
<
32
Inclusive Nightclubs
Inclusive Nightclubs
'Star Enterprise Work and Play' is for People with Learning Disabilities
<
31
Sustaining Rural Development
Sustaining Rural Development
Barefoot College Supports Professionals in the Majority World
<
30
Portable Solar-Powered Chargers
Portable Solar-Powered Chargers
The Waka Waka is an Eco-Friendly Portable Phone Charger
<
29
Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
Human Nature Products Offer Fair Trade Skincare Items for Men and Women
<
28
Market-Based Poverty Solutions
Market-Based Poverty Solutions
Khosla Impact Invests in Products and Service for the World's Poor
<
27
Innovative Eye Care
Innovative Eye Care
VisionSpring is a Social Enterprise Selling Eyeglasses to Developing Countries
<
26
Social Change Investments
Social Change Investments
The Ethical Property Company Provides Affordable Offices
<
25
One-for-One Prenatal Vitamins
One-for-One Prenatal Vitamins
Build Nutrition Tackles Malnutrition in the Majority World
<
24
Weight-Powered Lighting
Weight-Powered Lighting
The Gravity Light is Designed for African Villages
<
23
Indian Organic Farming Promotion
Indian Organic Farming Promotion
Krishi Naturals Works with Farmers to Support Biodiversity
<
22
Supermodel Charity Graphic Tees
Supermodel Charity Graphic Tees
The BNE Kate Moss T-Shirt Helps Provide Clean Water to the Poor
<
21
Fair Trade African Soda
Fair Trade African Soda
Ubuntu Cola is a First for the United Kingdom
<
20
Community-Building Cafes
Community-Building Cafes
Sisters Of The Road Provides Good Food and Hospitality To The Homeless
<
19
Cause-Driven Coffee
Cause-Driven Coffee
Pura Vida Empowers the Poor Through Create Good Foundation
<
18
Giving 2.0
Giving 2.0
Kiva Loans Lend Directly to a Developing World Entrepreneur
<
17
Poverty-Focused Innovation Labs
Poverty-Focused Innovation Labs
Proximity Designs is a Myanmar-Based Non-Profit Enterprise
<
16
Hunger-Fighting Food Packages
Hunger-Fighting Food Packages
The Love with Food Group Donates a Meal for Every Box Purchased
<
15
Ebay Ventures Into Microfinance
Ebay Ventures Into Microfinance
MicroPlace.com
<
14
Kerosene-Replacing Lamps
Kerosene-Replacing Lamps
Nuru Uses LED Lights to Create Jobs and Promote Safety in Rural Rwanda
<
13
Microfinance Investing
Microfinance Investing
Kiva.org Lets You Become a Banker to the Poor
<
12
Exotic Ethical Carpets
Exotic Ethical Carpets
GAN Rugs are a Cozy Alternative to the Persian Mats You've Been Buying
<
11
Poverty-Aiding Supermarkets
Poverty-Aiding Supermarkets
This Social Supermarket Decreases Food Prices by 70 Per Cent
<
10
$20-Per-Month Homes
$20-Per-Month Homes
Each WorldHaus is Built in 10 Days and is Designed for the World's Rural Poor
<
9
Cost-Conscious Bamboo Bikes
Cost-Conscious Bamboo Bikes
The Greencycle-Eco is Designed for Less-Industrialized Countries
<
8
Meaningful Jewelry Mementos
Meaningful Jewelry Mementos
'Penelope Poet' Wants to Break the Chain of Poverty
<
7
Carbon-Negative Stoves
Carbon-Negative Stoves
Inyenyeri Uses Crowdsourced Biofuel to Transform Energy Systems in Rwanda
<
6
Stripped-Down SUVs
Stripped-Down SUVs
The Mobius One Vehicle Offers Economic Mobility for African Countries
<
5
Abuse-Free Indian Carpets
Abuse-Free Indian Carpets
Jaipur Rugs Creates Tantalizing Products for You to Happily Walk On
<
4
Fair Trade Peruvian Handcrafts
Fair Trade Peruvian Handcrafts
Sanyork Promotes Artisans in a Poor Community of Lima
<
3
Online Ethical Retailers
Online Ethical Retailers
SERRV Alleviates Poverty by Supporting Artisans from Around the World
<
2
Sustainable Walking Sticks
Sustainable Walking Sticks
The African Bamboo and Rattan Crutch Can Be Made Cheaply and Locally
<
1
Sustainable Transforming Trikes
Sustainable Transforming Trikes
The Greencycle 2 by Paulus Maringka is a Convertible Rickshaw Bike
<