We’ve reported in the past how the daily deal darling Groupon has its roots in a charity fundraising platform. Now that Groupon is focused on good deals and not good causes, a few social entrepreneurs are taking the daily deal trend in a pro-social direction. Meet Philanthroper. The new “deal” site launched yesterday to “make doing good …

Philanthroper: A Daily Deal Site for Charities Read More »

A total of 499 youth business enterprises were established last year. Youth Enterprise Fund Secretary Bheki Thwala yesterday said the Fund used up an amount of E5.8 million towards funding youth businesses. He said their main aim was to contribute to the reduction of youth unemployment through the provision of business capital for young people …

Latest: 500 youth business enterprises established in 2010 – Swaziland Read More »

Ram Rati is a 40-year-old female mechanic in India. If you think that sounds impressive, it is, but that’s not the half of it. Rati was married off at 11 years old and escaped at 13. She spent the next 15 years grinding wheat for a living. An admirable story of perseverance all too common …

Photos: Water, Wells, and One Wonderful Woman Read More »

Despite the tepid global recovery, Jamaican businesses and government agencies are ramping up efforts to attract investment, stimulate trade and encourage growth, according to Nakeeta Nembhard, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Middlesex. Jamaica achieved a number of milestones during the 2010-11 financial year which served as early indications that the country is poised to make significant …

“Developing ‘Brand Jamaica’ will separate us from the competition” Read More »

Despite the tepid global recovery, Jamaican businesses and government agencies are ramping up efforts to attract investment, stimulate trade and encourage growth, according to Nakeeta Nembhard, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Middlesex. Jamaica achieved a number of milestones during the 2010-11 financial year which served as early indications that the country is poised to make significant …

"Developing 'Brand Jamaica' will separate us from the competition" Read More »

A central government initiative to offer grants to young Nigerian entrepreneurs should be adopted by both state and local authorities, argues Timi Olagunju, 26, a law graduate from the city of Lagos. It is an old Nigerian proverb that says, ‘when we use the left hand to spank someone, we use the right hand to …

"We, your people, want solutions for Nigeria's transformation" Read More »

A student-run initiative uses simple business fundamentals to turn around the lives of the marginalised, writes Olajide Omojarabi, 25, a Correspondent from Zaria in Nigeria. The results empower lives, and allow students to be agents of change. Fatima Umar is a widow and mother of nine. She makes a monthly income of N3, 500 (25 …

“SIFE students: transform lives and change the world” Read More »

Bolstering trade patterns within the Commonwealth will be a topic at the upcoming CHOGM and People’s Forum writes Salma Yusuf, a Correspondent from Sri Lanka, while history indicates the host country stands to see trade benefits.   “Is there a business case for the Commonwealth?” then-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair asked the   1997 Commonwealth Heads …

“Commonwealth business forum – a Sri Lankan view” Read More »

Expected growth in Shangri-la is attracting entrepreneurs, writes Chris Fox, a Correspondent from Canada now living in Beijing, who says the results illustrate economic and ethnic divides in China. Shangri-la is getting ready for a boom.  Dreaming of the money-spending crowds that clog the alleys of nearby Lijiang and Dali, Shangri-la has been feverishly improving …

"Shangri-la illustrates divisions in China" Read More »