In rural India, Drishtee’s ICT network and micro enterprise kiosk program enables local entrepreneurs to provide services such as mobile phone services, health education, e-governance, computer education and banking and microfinance to their communities. Drishtee trains local men and women to provide these services. Acumen Fund’s investment in Drishtee will geographically expand the kiosk program as well as the health services they provide. Through an Acumen Fund loan, Drishtee’s non-profit foundation helps women entrepreneurs with micro credit so they can invest in kiosks. Acumen Fund has united Drishtee with another investee, VisionSpring, providing an opportunity for the two franchise models to work together and bring Vision services to more communities and markets in rural India.

Read about Dristhee’s rural health franchising model at nextbillion.net and their award winning program at socialedge.org