I just returned from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania where I was visiting one of the Fellows Kevin Martin, who is now working at D.Light Design, one of our investments at Acumen Fund. D.Light is a manufacturer and distributor of solar lights to the poor in India and most recently East Africa.
The trip was special for me on many levels. First, Dar really reminded me of Senegal and it brought with it the sense of openness, excitement, and curiosity that I felt on a daily basis in Senegal. It was a wonderful surprise…
Second it was exciting to see Kevin and D.Light in action. Kevin is currently building a sales team to work throughout rural Tanzania selling the D.Lights. It is quite a daunting task but I have no doubt Kevin and the D.Light team will be able to accomplish it. Their goals are truly audacious, but that is why they are so great.
Third, I continue to think about what it takes to be successful in this field how much of the enterprise should be business and how much should be social? Marketing and selling to poor communities takes an immense amount of trust, something that is typically aligned with the non profit sector. But perhaps trust can be built more quickly by a business with a product that change lives, is efficient, and affordable to the poor.
If you are interested to hear direct from the customer check out this amazing video filmed in India.
No comments:
Post a Comment