459th Social Business Design Lab Held Online Platform for Grameen Poshra Launched
Yunus Centre Press Release (12 January 2017):
The 459th Social Business Design Lab organized by Yunus Centre took place on 12thJanuary 2017 at the Grameen Bank Auditorium with nearly 150 national and international participants from USA, Austria, Italy, Germany and other countries. The Design Lab was chaired by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. Special attendees include Mr Steve Hollingworth, CEO and President of Grameen Foundation, USA.
Six new Nobin Udyokta (New Entrepreneur) business plans were presented at today's Lab. All Nobin Udyokta businesses, presented at the Design Lab are the children of Grameen Bank borrowers’ families.
Md. Joni Mia presented his Arif Hasan Bird Farm (aviary) project for equity investment. Even without any formal training, Joni Mia became an expert in rearing budgerigars. People from faraway places come to him to buy birds. His passion and love for birds has become his profession and with the equity investment from social business fund, he wants to take his aviary to the next level. Ms Sultana Begum presented her Moshfiq Shelai Proshikkan Kendro(garment training school) at the design lab. Ms Sultana, mother of three used to make garments for near and dear ones. Later she decided to use her experience of 10 years to become an entrepreneur. She now teaches others to become tailor. She wants to expand her venture with equity investment. Tean Bon Garments project was presented by Mst. Kahinor Begum, a mother of three. She wants to expand her readymade garments shop with the equity investment from Grameen social business fund.
New Emon Tailors project presented by Mst. Rani Begum, whose father is a Grameen Bank borrower. As young women entrepreneur, she wants to expand her tailoring shop. Ms Sanjida Akhter presented Sanjida Hosto Shilpo project. Ms Sanjida, ambitious young woman, is pursuing her graduation in Economics while at the same time living her dream to become an entrepreneur. She is an expert in making hand-made decorative showpieces and wants to expand the operation. Rumpa Poultry Farm presented by Mst. Rotna Begum who wants to expand her poultry business with the equity investment.
All business plans were presented and discussed in detail. Those were then presented in groups for further review. All projects were approved for funding by their groups. The projects are joint ventures with social business funds and their progress will be monitored on www.socialbusinesspedia.com .
Since the Labs began in January 2013, nearly 12,000 young entrepreneurs have been funded in the last 458 Lab programs with equity investments ranging from taka one lakh to five lakh for Nobin Udyokta projects.
During the program Professor Muhammad Yunus formally launched an online platform for Grameen Poshra, a social business project of Grameen Telecom Trust, selling crafts and products made by the new entrepreneurs, financed from social business funds. He lauded the initiative and expressed his hope that new entrepreneurs would utilize the benefits of e-commerce for their products.
Professor Yunus thanked the participants and invited them to join next Social Business Design Lab which will take place on 14 February, 2017.
Photo Caption One: Professor Muhammad Yunus formally launched the online order and payment option for the Grameen Pashra, a social business project of Grameen Telecom Trust at 459th Social Business Design Lab on Thursday, 12th January, 2017. Photo Credit: Nasir Ali Mamun /Yunus Centre
Photo Caption Two: Investments into six social businesses were announced on Thursday, 12th January, 2017 at the 459th Social Business Design Lab. The New Entrepreneurs, children of Grameen Bank borrowers are seen in the photo with Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. Photo Credit: Nasir Ali Mamun /Yunus Centre
Photo Caption Three: Investments into six social businesses were announced on Thursday, 12th January, 2017 at the 459th Social Business Design Lab. The New Entrepreneur Md. Joni Mia of Arif Hasan Pakhir Farm (aviary) project along with his birds are seen in the photo with Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and Ms Saleha Begum, MD, Grameen Shakti Shamajik Byabosha Ltd . Photo Credit:Nasir Ali Mamun /Yunus Centre
Source: Yunus Centre
Updated Date: 22nd January, 2017