tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post2957945989653031326..comments2023-09-12T04:48:26.962-06:00Comments on What's a BOPreneur?: Replace the World Bank with Venture Capital?Bopreneurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394890260699883067noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-2635829145383031102009-08-20T12:16:36.079-06:002009-08-20T12:16:36.079-06:00I'd change the headline on this (which I didn&...I'd change the headline on this (which I didn't write) to: "Shut down World Bank; Use money to promote investment in private investment." <br /><br />You are right to say that VC cannot do what the WB aims/claims to do. But I question the WB's alleged success in building effective government institutions. Where is the evidence for this and what has been the cost? <br /><Carl Hammerdorferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04692930959021110380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-89873748983580695822009-08-19T16:03:50.831-06:002009-08-19T16:03:50.831-06:00This is fun to read...but VCs don't work on bu...This is fun to read...but VCs don't work on building the institutions that make a country run well. That's really the strength of the World Bank.<br /><br />Yes, private companies can build roads, put up schools, and probably run elections, but (sorry anarchists) you need an effective government to help manage these activities. Why would a VC invest in a company running primary schools inAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-87750428214997681102009-08-05T10:51:51.349-06:002009-08-05T10:51:51.349-06:00I second the motion to shut down the World Bank, b...I second the motion to shut down the World Bank, but it wouldn't make a difference without scrapping the IMF and WTO at the same time. Who's to say another all-powerful international institution wouldn't spring up in the place of these three money-hungry monsters who are perfectly happy with maintaining the status quo? The people who work in the upper echelons of development are happysaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-15786087868020204082009-07-16T17:21:52.911-06:002009-07-16T17:21:52.911-06:00Dear Anonymous,
First, it would be nice if you wo...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />First, it would be nice if you would use some identity other than anonymous if you believe strongly enough in your position to debate this question.<br /><br />Second, can you possibly provide the users of this blog with a link to the list of investees in the SME space if you can. It would be instructive if we knew how many investments in how many countries over what Carl Hammerdorferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04692930959021110380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-21316766868461452762009-07-16T00:42:38.683-06:002009-07-16T00:42:38.683-06:00You obviously haven't heard about the Internat...You obviously haven't heard about the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is part of the World Bank Group. We do VC and PE and are the largest EM debt issuers and equity investors in the world. We're also the largest microfinance investor in the world. Several of the social VCs mentioned by others above have been invested in or looked at by IFC. Do some more research next time Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-31859770768397540102009-07-15T18:48:48.441-06:002009-07-15T18:48:48.441-06:00Paul YOU ARE SO RIGHT - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK ...Paul YOU ARE SO RIGHT - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU<br />Let's create sound VC firms to foster entrepreneurship in Africa. No country has ever developed thank to aid money. Africa needs people like you and others to let the world know that their entrepreneurs are as able as others to come up with solutions tailored to their native markets. I have not respect for the "humanitarian mafiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-27120215101921120792009-07-15T13:12:42.648-06:002009-07-15T13:12:42.648-06:00A VC that has a very good record is Small Enterpri...A VC that has a very good record is Small Enterprise Assistance Fund (SEAF.com). Granted, they're not a traditional VC, but under my diabolical scheme, you'd look for ones who would take a SEAF approach in exchange for the help minimizing risk.Carl Hammerdorferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04692930959021110380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-31965671662903897072009-07-15T07:44:34.299-06:002009-07-15T07:44:34.299-06:00Why isn't there a middle road?
Realizing that...Why isn't there a middle road?<br /><br />Realizing that getting rid of the World Bank is no easy task, there seems to be an interesting opportunity for the World Bank to at least support and build on the successes of social venture funds. These are the VC funds that are balancing between financial and social returns by using patient capital such as: IGNIA in Mexico, Acumen Fund in East Brian Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05000127570680998401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-90831759537657129442009-07-14T23:55:49.245-06:002009-07-14T23:55:49.245-06:00The disolution of the World Bank is an interesting...The disolution of the World Bank is an interesting idea - not one that I see happening because, as you said, the World Bank is a beast that is not going anywhere anytime soon. There are also some very corrupt developing nations out there that need the structure that the WB provides in order to help the funding get to the right place. So, the WB does serve a purpose and has had its successes.<brCSF42noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-39728522768465418012009-07-13T15:25:15.961-06:002009-07-13T15:25:15.961-06:00Invest money in profitable ventures that provide a...Invest money in profitable ventures that provide a product or service that consumer value. Create economic growth, jobs and the accruing social benefits. Seems like a decent start doesn't it?Carl Hammerdorferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04692930959021110380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-76520460931496452062009-07-13T13:50:11.359-06:002009-07-13T13:50:11.359-06:00Leave it to the people sounds like the beginnings ...Leave it to the people sounds like the beginnings of government. Without direction and order there will be chaos. One thing that can be said about the World Bank is that at least we have someone to hold accountable. Though many of the employees may not stay in a country for extensive periods of time there are in fact departments to hold accountable. <br /><br />As for the private sector taking VonniMediaMogulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07288847278570849348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-40616914118137589262009-07-13T13:22:25.455-06:002009-07-13T13:22:25.455-06:00I really liked this article - straight to the poin...I really liked this article - straight to the point. New VC firms focused on SME/SGB development are popping up all over the place: Endeavor, SONG, IGNIA, Root Capital, Acumen Fund... the list goes on and on. And many of these are for-profit funds. Private investors are starting to fill the gap that is so clearly remaining void despite WB efforts to single-handedly jump-start local economies. Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16283782535036509814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-15630612835602863832009-07-13T11:39:00.903-06:002009-07-13T11:39:00.903-06:00@Vonni Media Mogul
Who said that the answer is to...@Vonni Media Mogul <br />Who said that the answer is to give to corrupt governments? <br /><br />Find *trusted* parties in the country, and begin there.<br /><br />Where there is a will there is a way.<br /><br />In Bangladesh, BRAC has the will and found a way. Grameen has the will and found a way.<br /><br />These organisations are not a panacea but if someone did the maths I think they would Olasofiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10441924151879829501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28810014.post-15157105871141223902009-07-13T11:28:46.398-06:002009-07-13T11:28:46.398-06:00Give more money to Africa? Lead economists all ove...Give more money to Africa? Lead economists all over can agree that one of the main problems is not in the money flow TO Africa but in the corruption that happens WITH the money after it's there. Countless stories of corruption in Africa's government once they get the money prove this. As for the World Bank, they are free from government corruption by dealing directly with the Ministers ofAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com