George Ayittey on Cheetahs vs. Hippos

Anyone who has spent any time in Africa will relate.

How much longer will Africa allow the "Vampire State" to exist? 

Go Kenya!

Neat graph from the Economist

Kenya’s parliament recently awarded a pay bump to Prime Minister Raila Odinga that would put his salary at 240 times greater than the GDP per person. Odinga rejected the increase that would have put him among the world’s highest-paid leaders.

Entrepreneurs can change the world

Stuart Hart's Capitalism at the Crossroads 3rd Edition Just Released

(download)

   
Click here to download:
Stuart_Harts_Capitalism_at_the.zip (519 KB)

 

Verde Ventures Investment Officer - only if you think you walk on water.

The Verde Ventures Fund is seeking an Investment Officer to oversee the Africa Region.This position is essential for the program development of Verde Ventures.

For more details see our website at: http://www.conservation.org/discover/careers/Pages/Invsmt_Off_Af.aspx

We are looking for someone who thinks regular financing deals are easy. We want someone who can look at the unusual and help create value.

 

Green Collar Jobs

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Verde Ventures Announces New Investments!

 
Verde Ventures is adding Peruvian Coffee, Leatherback turtles and lobsters to our portfolio!
 
Our Investment Committee has approved seven new deals at a recent meeting. These include five new coffee cooperatives in Peru, an ecolodge supporting turtle conservation in Mexico, and 6 fishing cooperatives supporting sustainable lobster fishing in Mexico!
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Peruvian Coffee Cooperatives in the Alto Mayo Region
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Coffee Growers hands and beans
Verde Ventures is pleased to announce five new coffee investments in the San Martin region of Peru designed to meet the working capital needs and contribute to the growth of these community farmer led organizations.
 
These new investments allow us to diversify our existing portfolio in Chiapas, Mexico and support the development of responsibly grown coffee in Peru. These investments have social and environmental impacts which directly support CI's engagement in the region.
 
VV is grateful for the support of Starbucks Coffee for this initiative.
 
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Playa Viva - Mexico 
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 Leatherback Tracks on the beach
Given the challenges faced by the tourism sector in Mexico, Verde Ventures is pleased to support the growth of Playa Viva, a sustainable boutique resort near Ixtapa, Mexico.
 
In a destination characterized by mass developments such as Cancun, Playa Viva stands out as a unique and sustainable alternative. Strong management, excellent customer feedback (see Tripadvisor), and strong conservation and social commitment made this a good partner for Verde Ventures. Located on an important Leatherback Turtle nesting site, and one of the only formal employers in the region, this investment provides important biodiversity and social benefits.
 
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Developed through our WH-LEEP initiative in partnership with the United Nations Foundation and UNDP's Compact program, this innovative, community owned marine initiative is one of our first fisheries related investments.
 
VV is supporting this group with both business development services and a loan to improve their financial capacity, build bankability and provide working capital. VV believes initiatives such as this are essential if we are to overcome the "tragedy of the commons" so often associated with marine and fisheries resources.
 
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We'd like to congratulate these applicants and welcome them to the Verde Ventures family! We look forward to working with them.
 
Neel
 
Quick Links...
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Neel Inamdar

Williamsburg pipe & drum

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Neel

Sent from my iPhone

Williamsburg, May 2010

         
Click here to download:
Williamsburg_May_2010.zip (781 KB)

Neel

Sent from my iPhone

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