OVERVIEW
NextBillion is a community of business leaders, social entrepreneurs, NGO managers, policy makers, academics and others exploring the connection between development and enterprise.
NextBillion chronicles new trends in market solutions to poverty that benefit the world’s 4 billion low-income producers and consumers – often known as the base of the pyramid. The site features in-depth analysis and opinion from thought leaders and researchers – as well as on-the-ground insights from social entrepreneurs. NextBillion also offers an editor-curated newsfeed, a calendar of important events, and a career center with continuously updated job opportunities across the “development through enterprise” market sector.
MISSION
Now in its second decade of publishing, NextBillion’s goal is to stimulate discussion, raise awareness and provide a platform for sharing ideas that improve the lives of the poor and reshape entire economies.
BACKGROUND
NextBillion launched in May 2005 as an initiative of the World Resources Institute’s Markets and Enterprise Program. What began as a blog forum to facilitate early discussions around base of the pyramid research and business models has since evolved into a comprehensive platform exploring the ever-widening spectrum of market-based solutions to poverty.
The William Davidson Institute (WDI) at the University of Michigan joined the World Resources Institute in the NextBillion partnership in 2010. Since 2012, NextBillion has been an initiative of WDI, an independent, non-profit research and educational organization focused on providing private-sector solutions in emerging markets. The site is also supported by its content partners and blog sponsors.
