InVenture Sparks!

May 24th, 2011

Studying International Development in college changed my world view. But it also convinced me that real progress meant changing bureaucratic institutions from within.  My political science professors lectured on the UN’s Millennium Development Goals as solutions, but these were slow panaceas, often criticized for lack of accountability and impending deadlines.  

My frustration with this seemingly theoretical approach caused me to seek a new path. I was first introduced to the term “social entrepreneurship” in early February at an amazing five-day intensive fellowship, focused on incubating young social innovators who seek to make a difference in the world. Little did I know that at an informal lunch session, I would be introduced to a new concept in microfinance —  a term I never really explored.

Meeting Shivani, a petite woman (even shorter than my 5-foot-tall figure) with huge ideas and CEO/Founder of InVenture, was truly meant to be.  If the UN predicted it was possible to end poverty by 2015, Shivani convinced me that it can be possible to pulverize poverty just maybe not by 2015! InVenture was everything I was idealistic about in college — ending poverty, reinvesting in the health of local communities, bottom-up approaches and international development work. But InVenture is more than just NGO work and idealism, it’s pragmatically transforming the idea of microfinance into more than micro-loans and strict repayment constraints, it’s holistically investing in women entrepreneurs and their communities.

5% of the profits from all the micro-businesses InVenture invests in, are required to reinvest back into their own communities through public health and education. This positive feedback loop is one of the reasons that first attracted me to InVenture! Currently, I’m working on creating health education initiatives (targeting issues like anemia and sanitation) that will be resources for our entrepreneurs.

Everything that is happening at InVenture has revitalized my passion for development work and it has really given me an exciting and new perspective on the microfinance world.  And the best part is that ANYONE can help to positively change the world — simply SIGN-UP and join InVenture to pulverize poverty!
- LiAnn