Women entrepreneurs are driving innovation and designing solutions to the biggest issues of our time – the climate crisis, food security, maternal care, and more. But they still face myriad barriers, including systemic bias and exclusion from traditional investment structures, lack of investment readiness, and most fundamentally, restrictive gender norms. These challenges are exacerbated for … Continued
En diciembre de 2022 superamos las 500 millones de vidas impactadas. Un hito importante que demuestra el avance y el progreso significativo en nuestra misión de abordar los retos relacionados a la pobreza. La cifra total de personas beneficiadas asciende a 501,2 millones, con una inversión de 154 millones de dólares en 167 empresas sociales … Continued
“I was nearly losing hope in my cocoa farm. With [Acumen investee Lizard Earth’s] presence, I got new skills on how to maintain my farm and how to make soap for sale.” That is what a 60-year-old farmer in Sierra Leone said to a researcher while passing the phone to his friend for another interview. … Continued
By the year 2050, Africa’s population is projected to more than double, reaching a staggering 2.4 billion people. African agriculture plays a critical role in both employment and food security of the continent — over half of sub-Saharan Africa’s employed people work in agriculture. The impacts of climate change, from rising temperatures to changing rainfall … Continued
Rice, maize, and soybean are pivotal grains in Nigeria. Cultivated all year round, they provide vital nutrition and protein, serving as the foundation of family diets. In states like Benue, often referred to as “the food basket of the nation,” these crops thrive in abundance. During the wet season, fruits like oranges, mangoes, and guava … Continued
Bali Devi is a 56-year-old woman living with a family of six in Jaipur, northern India. She is a widowed mother of two sons who runs a small makeshift shop in the front portion of her house. Her daughter-in-law makes a small earning by stitching sari borders for women in her locality. Both are part … Continued
Globally, 733 million people still lack access to electricity. Although many will gain energy access in the coming years, research shows that, with a growing population, business-as-usual solutions will leave behind more than 600 million people by 2030, 85% of whom will be in Africa. The off-grid solar sector can fill this gap. For over … Continued
Acumen has invested in Gram Vaani — a community-led, hyperlocal, and two-way participatory mobile platform that amplifies the voices of underserved populations in India. The Challenge: Information Inequality is Holding Back Marginalized Communities Ensuring access to information is essential for citizen engagement, empowerment, and holding those in power accountable. While the internet and smartphones have … Continued