Top Four Reasons Why I’m Going To SOCAP 09
I can think of over a hundred reasons to attend the SOCAP conference in San Francisco September 1-3, 2009.
What is SOCAP 09?
SOCAP (Social Capital Markets) “brings together a unique mix of the world’s top social innovators, investors, donors, entrepreneurs, and thought-leaders, today’s leading catalysts of change from across the globe. [to] celebrate the renewed will and determination of these pioneers investing for social impact.”
The top four reasons why I’m attending…
- YOLA.com ACCION USA is partnering with Yola.com, a company that provides free web building and hosting tools. We are excited to bring technology and marketing tools to the microentrepreneurs that we serve. SOCAP is a chance to discuss this exciting new partnership.
- KIVA.org ACCION USA is in its third month of its pioneering partnership with Kiva.org, which speaks to the innovation that ACCION USA is bringing to the domestic microfinance industry. As the former Kiva fellow and current Kiva coordinator at ACCION USA, I am excited to hear Premal Shah speak about the future of social innovation on the web and Chelsa Bocci discuss Kiva’s community outreach initiatives.
- Sonal Shah from the White House’s office on Social Innovation is the keynote speaker and will be addressing the government’s new socially minded strategy to “effectively streamline government towards investing in what works.” This one speaks for itself.
- Day 3 Keynote: “An aspirational look at the future of our economy and society at large. Focusing on lessons learned outside of western society and the holistic nature of blended value ventures.” Bringing blended values to socially minded business sounds like a song to me and is a perspective that deserves considerable discussion.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage and learn from the list of over 100 speakers on panel discussions ranging from “Social Media That Moves People to Action” to “Alternative Financial Services for the Unbanked.” Check out the complete list. I look forward to my return to NYC after the conference as ACCION USA continues to expand and grow, generating innovative ideas and continuing to provide fresh products and services to our clients.
Tags: accion usa, chelsa bocci, erica dorn, kiva, premal shah, SOCAP 09
Microfinance for the Masses: ACCION USA Announces Partnership wtih Kiva.org
I’m not good at keeping secrets. That’s why I’m so excited to share a huge piece of ACCION USA news that we’ve had to keep quiet until now. ACCION USA been chosen as one of two field partners to join Kiva.org, the world’s first person-to-person microlending Website, in its pilot expansion to the United States.
Lenders from around the world can now lend online to entrepreneurs in the United States for a financial commitment as small as $25. ACCION USA’s 15 borrowers are already getting “funded” fast, and we’ll be adding new borrowers to the site everyday.
Kiva is an organization that’s truly bringing microfinance to Main Street, and as a leading U.S. microlender, ACCION USA is thrilled to be part of the pilot program. Kiva’s 500,000 lenders provide microfinance institutions (MFIs) like ACCION USA with capital at zero cost and zero risk, decreasing cost to the MFI and expanding the amount of dollars available to small businesses shut out of the financial mainstream.
The news broke at 8:30 this morning on a Good Morning America segment featuring Kiva’s president Premal Shah—we’re confident that many of America’s 10 million microbusinesses now know that microloan resources are available to help their operations grow.
ACCION USA is encouraging supporters to get involved with Kiva by making a loan to an ACCION USA borrower, donating directly to ACCION USA to help support Kiva-related lending activities, and learning more on our Website.
We’ll keep you updated on the launch and partnership this week—there will certainly be more news to share. But for now, there’s $25 burning a hole in my pocket and a few small business owners who could use it on Kiva.org…
Tags: good morning america, kiva, launch, premal shah