Beyond Profit: A Talk With Muhammad Yunus

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/beyond-profit-a-talk-with-muhammad-yunus

David Bornstein

The New York Times

17 April 2013

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There is much debate about microfinance and whether it actually works. The founder of Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus, discusses the fight to eliminate poverty through his micro-lending bank and the future of social business.

Can biomimicry tackle our toughest water problems?

https://www.hcn.org/issues/46.20/can-biomimicry-tackle-our-toughest-water-problems

Benjamin Goldfarb

High Country News

24 November 2014

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Clean water and healthy ecosystems are becoming increasingly difficult to come by. With floating islands and other inventions, eco-entrepreneur Bruce Kania thinks that biomimicry - such as reconstructing wetlands and growing biofilms - can tackle the toughest of water problems.

For Students With a Mission, a Little Capital Goes a Long Way

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/for-students-with-a-mission-a-little-capital-goes-a-long-way

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

11 September 2015

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At a time when university students lack opportunities and financial help to test their innovative business ideas, the Resolution Project supports higher education students who have ideas for socially responsible businesses and charities. Resolution offers small awards to start businesses as well as mentor opportunities that enable networking and business collaboration with experts.

Freelance Nation: “The Greatest Economic Transformation in Human History”?

http://www.wnyc.org/story/freelance-nation-greatest-economic-transformation-human-history

Manoush Zomorodi

WNYC

16 October 2013

Radio / Over 15 Minutes

The 2008 recession’s job losses spurred a development of a Do-It-Yourself economy. With the advent of Uber, Etsy, Airbnb, and others, the marketplace has become full of micro-entrepreneurs who thrive with independent web-assisted businesses.

Growing A Solution To California's Groundwater Crisis

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/08/06/growing-a-solution-to-californias-groundwater-crisis

Peyton Fleming

National Geographic

6 August 2014

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Due to drought and water shortage in California's Central Coast, community members collaborate with local government to create better water usage systems from runoff and to recycle waste water in order to irrigate crops.

Hot, Crowded and Smart

http://nextcity.org/features/view/hot-crowded-and-smart-san-antonio-water-system-drought

Sarah Goodyear

Next City

22 July 2013

Text / Over 3000 Words

For the past three years, water levels in the San Antonio Edwards Aquifer have decreased to uncomfortable levels and drought periods may continue as the population booms. The San Antonio Water System organization has set up rules to limit water use and has recycled water for conservation frugal innovation.

Illuminating Thoughts on Power

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/illuminating-thoughts-on-power

David Bornstein

The New York Times

14 January 2011

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A follow-up article on Husk Power Systems, which has created a scalable system to turn rice husks into electricity that is reliable, eco-friendly and affordable for families in India. The company bases their business model around local involvement, grassroots systems that cater to the immediate community, and continual accountability. This article fills in some information gaps from the initial piece, "Fixes: A Light in India."

How to Grow a Social Business

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/04/how-to-grow-a-social-business

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

4 February 2011

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Two columns on microconsignment, a new variation on microcredit that helps poor people living in developing countries - particularly women in rural villages - start small social businesses without taking on debt or requiring previous business skills. The organization, Soluciones Comunitarias, partners with a non-profit and a university student program to manage the supply chain and other components of the business necessary to support the social entrepreneurs in successful micro-ventures.

A Light in India

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/a-light-in-india

David Bornstein

The New York Times

10 January 2011

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Access to electricity in India takes a huge economic, educational, and health-related toll. A small company called Husk Power Systems has created an innovative system that is turning rice husks into electricity and illuminating India’s poorest state.

Conquering Food Deserts With Green Carts

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/conquering-food-deserts-with-green-carts

David Bornstein

The New York Times

18 April 2012

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Programs to get fresh produce carts to areas with no access to healthy food work best when government and determined entrepreneurs team up. Success from this model is evident in New York City, where the city has incentivized the selling of fruits and vegetables by street vendors in areas that are in the most need of the produce.