C-Zero – India
C-Zero Inc., a Fort Collins-based vehicle engineering company with expertise in hydraulics, has developed a hydraulic hybrid retrofit kit that will improve the fuel efficiency of large municipal vehicles in developing markets. Rising fuel cost worldwide make increased fuel efficiency a major economic incentive for operators. Reduction of harmful emissions is a natural outcome of this technology reducing pollution levels locally and globally. A GSSE team worked in India to conduct market research to determine how, when and where such a product could be introduced.
Dhaka Weaves – Nepal
Dhaka Weaves promotes women's self-sufficiency and empowerment through training, economic opportunity and linking entrepreneurs to markets. Dhaka is wholly owned and managed by women and is devoted to preserving traditional Nepali weaving. The GSSE team provides business planning, capacity building, market expansion and sustainable growth. The products are beautiful and the spirit of the women is inspiring, making this a perfect partnership for developing world business and GSSE.
Wildlife Friendly Rice – Cambodia
After spending the summer in Cambodia assisting the Wildlife Conservation Society with its business plans, the GSSE-Cambodia team has returned to Fort Collins and is now starting work on an international marketing plan for products produced by wildlife-friendly agricultural cooperatives in Cambodia. The project has been a great learning experience and the team is very excited by the prospect of helping create economic incentives to protect endangered species and habitat.
MASA - Zambia
In a region where only 1 percent of those who need a wheelchair have one, and in an industry that is dominated by the charity model, MASA (Mobility Aids for Southern Africa) is developing a sustainable business model to efficiently provide wheelchairs, mobility aids and services to ensure a proper fit. MASA is comprised of three GSSE students with diverse professional backgrounds, strengths and interests. Working with organizations such as Disacare, in Zambia (www.disacare.com), Shonaquip, in South Africa (www.shonaquip.com), and the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya (APDK), they are developing a sustainable enterprise to solve this stubborn social problem.
PowerMundo – Peru
Over half the world does not have access to affordable, safe, and healthy products to meet their daily needs. PowerMundo's goal is to improve people's lives and conserve the natural environment by developing and delivering affordable clean technology products for millions of people in emerging markets. PowerMundo is currently building a distribution network for solar lights and radios to help the 7.5 million Peruvians who do not have access to electricity. Learn more about this unique startup company at PowerMundo.com.
SEED – Ethiopia, Bangladesh & India
SEED (Small Engines for Economic Development), is a product and technology development firm focused on developing countries. SEED is developing an energy efficient engine for small-scale irrigation. Hundreds of millions of farmers irrigate by hand watering, with labor intensive treadle pumps or with oversized and inefficient engines. Working with Denver-based International Development Enterprises, SEED is defining the opportunity for a micro-diesel motor and pump set in Ethiopia, Bangladesh and India. The team spent the summer in Ethiopia and Bangladesh observing the irrigation practices of 200 farmers and analyzing import, wholesale, retail, pricing and other aspects of the pump set market. Working with farmers and 10 organizations around the globe - including engineers at CSU’s Engines and Energy Conversion Lab - SEED will help to increase agricultural productivity in developing countries.
Su Casa – Mexico
The built environment accounts for roughly 40 percent of the earth’s energy use, and it is estimated that 1.5 billion people live in urban slums, while millions more live in sub-standard housing elsewhere. Su Casa seeks to develop sustainable solutions to these global housing problems, with the vision of providing dignified, eco-friendly homes to BOP customers. Currently, Su Casa is working on product development and market research analysis for sustainable, social-interest housing in Yucatan, Mexico. Working with the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, we are incorporating sustainable design principles with local consumer preferences, and assessing the possibilities for market entry. Going forward, we will be costing the initial designs, and hope to have a business plan by January ‘09.
PowerMundo- Ghana
While more than 70 percent of Ghana’s population lives on less than $2 per day, their business structure is very stable and their government strongly promotes entrepreneurship. Thus the environment for nurturing entrepreneurs in Ghana is very promising. The market research conducted by the PowerMundo-Ghana Team confirms that there is a strong need for affordable clean-tech household energy products such as improved cook stoves, solar lights and radios. After learning from successful models such as SELCO (social entrepreneurial company in India) http://www.selco-india.com/ and SEWA (microcredit organization in India) http://www.selco-india.com/, and after testing their proof of concept in Ghana, PowerMundo-Ghana Team is ready to build an enterprise in Ghana that will distribute and sell clean tech products to improve the lives of Ghanaians working to improve their standard of living.