Newsletter 1 - December 2008
Content:
1. Institute
2. Research
3. Exchange
4. Consulting
1. Institute
Emergia Institute was founded in January 2008 as an independent research and consulting institute. Our vision is a world where businesses create sustainable value and drive development by enabling opportunities for people living in poverty. Our mission is to inspire and create business solutions for development challenges through research, knowledge exchange and consulting.
The founders of the institute - Christina Gradl, Genia Kostka and Aline Kraemer - all contribute strong academic and professional experience in management strategy and development. They work together with a network of experts with a wide range of backgrounds. In this way, every project benefits from specialized know how.
Learn more about the institute on our website.
2. Research
UNDP and Emergia identify strategies for doing business with the poor
Emergia Institute has been working with the UNDP Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative to develop its first report, 'Creating Value for All'. The report is based on 50 new case studies of business models that include the poor. It introduces a strategy matrix that helps to develop such innovative business models. >
UNEP and Emergia develop toolbox to analyze sustainable ventures
New ways of doing business in developing countries can significantly benefit people, planet and profit. For UNEP, Emergia Institute has developed a set of tools to systematically identify such opportunities, understand their determinants of success and assess costs and benefits. Initiatives that support sustainable ventures, such as award schemes or investors, can use these tools to improve their programmes. In this way, the tools help to systematically identify, evaluate, manage and promote sustainable ventures. >
Emergia Institute identifies CSR Trends for Bertelsmann Stiftung
As the role of business in society is being renegotiated, the issues around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) keep evolving. For the CSR Project at Bertelsmann Foundation, Emergia Institute identified the upcoming challenges and opportunities for responsible business and the skills companies need to acquire to manage these. >
3. Exchange
High potentials learn about Microinsurance with Allianz SE
On November 21, 30 students and young professionals learnt about Allianz SE’s initiatives to provide insurance to poor people in Indonesia, India and a number of countries in Africa. Experts from the Emergia Institute moderated the interactive working sessions, applying the institute’s frameworks for effective market research and business model development. >
German experts meet for the first time to discuss business models for poverty alleviation
In June 2008, German experts from business, development and academia gathered in Wittenberg (Germany) to discuss the potential of innovative business models to alleviate poverty in developing countries. It was the first expert meeting on this topic in Germany. >
BoP Learning Labs from all over the world launch a joint network
Starting from Prof. Stuart Hart’s initiative at Cornell University, Base of the Pyramid (BoP) Learning Labs have spread to now 14 countries worldwide. Emergia Institute organizes the BoP Learning Lab in Germany. In June 2008, the directors of the Labs met for the first time in Tilburg (Netherlands) to launch a global network. >
Two Seminars for Young Leaders discuss opportunities for renewable energy business in Africa and India
Together with the University of Halle-Wittenberg, Emergia Institute conducted two Young Leaders Seminars, in May and in November 2008, with selected German-speaking students and young professionals from different disciplines. During these three-day workshops, students and young professionals developed their own ideas for how to provide renewable energy to people in rural Africa and India. >
4. Consulting
Bertelsmann Foundation and Emergia develop internet portal 'CSR WeltWeit'
Emergia Institute supports the Bertelsmann Foundation in developing an internet portal that informs German companies about responsible business abroad. The initiative is conducted in collaboration with the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as 4 other ministries and the three leading German business associations. The portal CSR WeltWeit has been launched on December 15th by the foundation’s Vice Chairwoman of the Executive Board Liz Mohn. >
Emergia conducts market analysis for biofuels for a large multinational company
Emergia Institute developed a biofuel strategy, analyzing the market for first generation biofuel and helping the company to advance its product portfolio and technology to adjust to changing trends in the market. >