MIT Development Ventures 2008 ~ Great Plans!

Earlier today we had the finale session of our joint MIT Sloan-Media Lab Development Ventures seminar, part of the growing D-Lab family of classes in MIT's International Development Initiative (IDI). I'm very proud of the dozen student teams which pulled together several excellent new venture proposals, including...

• Covalent Global ~ Philanthropic Micro-Grant Network (Kenya, Africa)
• Civika ~ The "Facebook" for Civic-Sector Leaders (Africa, Philippines)
• DuraAlok ~ Low-Cost Eyeglasses Distributor (India)
• Global Cycle Solutions ~ Bicycle-Powered Businesses (Tanzania, Peru)
• Fair Goods ~ Urban Retailer Delivery Network (South Africa)
• LinqUs ~ Infonet Connectivity & Services for the Elderly (India, China, Japan)
• SolSource / LocalSource ~ Rural Energy Product Distributor (Greater Himalayas)
• Moringa Agri Products ~ Cooperative-Owned Exporter (Kenya, Africa)
• One Sol ~ Condominial Urban Sewer Solutions (Ghana, Africa)
• PANAH Network ~ Migrant Housing & Employment System (Asia, Africa)
• PayGo ~ Mobile Phone Payment System (Pakistan, Mexico)
• Prestige Incubator ~ Building Premium Import Brands (Latin America)
• Vidya Vitta ~ Investor-to-SME Brokerage (Nigeria, Tanzania, Africa)

A really great group of newco's! Be sure to also check out our DV alumni ventures!