2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge submissions
ECONOMIC GROWTH & TRADE (13-24)
13)Mobile Application For Virtual Community Based Complementary Currencies
14)Mobile Point Of Sale For Microentrepreneurs
15)MStockGuru
16)SocialTxt
17)Souktel - Mobile Phone Job Service
18)SureLifts - The Mobile Community LiftClub
19)Sustainable Impact Mobile Microfinance (SIMM)
20)ThinkSpots Mobile Extension
21)Txteagle: Accumulating Savings From Mobile Earnings
22)Using Mobile Phone For Spreading Renewable Energy Technology
23)VillageSuite
24)Wireless Trading System - Financial Inclusion And PovertyReduction
13) Mobile Application For Virtual Community Based Complementary Currencies
Purpose: Develop a mobile phone m-banking application aimed at enabling the creation of community-based complementary currencies (currencies that operates in conjunction with the national currency) to create additional opportunities for commerce in times of greatly reduced credit and financial liquidity.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented. Project planned for South Africa.
Business model: No ongoing expense anticipated beyond initial software development.
Tech approach: Using open-source software, FrontlineSMS, the application is similar to Wizzit and mPesa.
Other partners/funding sources: FrontlineSMS
Project URL: n/a
14) Mobile Point Of Sale For Microentrepreneurs
Purpose: Develop a mobile application that enables entrepreneurs to accept credit and debit card payments for their products and services using a mobile phone.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented.
Business model: Entrepreneurs pay a one-time fee to initiate service and a small fee with each transaction.
Tech approach: Mobile software application called YAP Accept that can turn any cell phone into a Point of Sale (POS) system capable of accepting credit and debit card payments.
Other partners/funding sources: MPOWER Ventures and MPOWER Labs
Project URL: www.mpowermobile.com
15) MStockGuru
Purpose: Develop a mobile inventory control service.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented.
Business model: Businesses pay a small fee for the service.
Tech approach: SMS and/or smartphone.
Other partners/funding sources: None indicated.
Project URL: http://www.lggi.org/mStockGuru_1_pager.pdf
16) SocialTxt
Purpose: Promote a messaging platform that uses the 120 "unused" characters of a 'please call me' (PCM) message to broadcast a social call to action, a public service announcement, advertisement of services, or other message.
Where it has worked: SocialTxt currently leverages approximately 1 million HIV-AIDS-messages each day (from 1 Oct 2008 to 29 Sept 2009) to link South Africans to the National AIDS Helpline.
Business model: Not specified.
Tech approach: SMS.
Other partners/funding sources: National AIDS Helpline
Project URL: http://praekeltfoundation.org/products-and-services/socialtxt
17) Souktel - Mobile Phone Job Service
Purpose: Connects job-seekers with employers through a mobile matching system. Job-seekers upload ‘mini-CVs’ with basic skill data; employers upload ‘mini job ads’. Users can then search job or staff listings by SMS.
Where it has worked: A World Bank Middle East employability project has supplied 6,000+ job-seekers and 150+ employers with Souktel. The platform matches 40+ people per month with jobs.
Business model: Job-seekers pay a modest premium SMS/data rate to search job ads/post mini-CVs; employers pay slightly higher per-use fees to post jobs/search CVs.
Tech approach: SMS.
Other partners/funding sources: USAID West Bank/Gaza; World Bank Middle East
Project URL: www.souktel.org
18) SureLifts - The Mobile Community LiftClub
Purpose: Provide a LiftClub service that matches commuters with drivers using mobile SMS, allowing them to share a transport lift.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented.
Business model: The cost to members of the LiftClub would be minimal and is expected not to succeed $1 per Lift arrangement. Payment for the driver will be agreed by the two partners and will not involve SureLifts, which only manages the matching service.
Tech approach: SMS.
Other partners/funding sources: MeWe Arts & Culture
Project URL: http://surelifts.wordpress.com
19) Sustainable Impact Mobile Microfinance (SIMM)
Purpose: Connect African businesses to lenders, investors, and customers worldwide through an online marketplace which can be accessed by phone. Offer latest market info, prices and expert business tips.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented.
Business model: Users will be charged a subscription fee.
Tech approach: SMS.
Other partners/funding sources: African Renaissance Ambassador (ARA) Corporation.
Project URL: http://www.aracorporation.org/simm.html
20) ThinkSpots Mobile Extension
Purpose: Provide detailed maps of Jordan featuring more than 30,000 locations and 360 virtual tours.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented. Mobile service would serve as an extension to existing Web site, ThinkSpots.com.
Business model: The project will collect annual subscription fees from subscribers (e.g., restaurants, fitness centers, hospitals, hotels).
Tech approach: Smartphones.
Other partners/funding sources: The Royal Jordanian Geographic Center, Zain Mobile Operator, Al Ghad News Paper.
Project URL: http://www.thinkspots.com/mobile?lang=en
21) Txteagle: Accumulating Savings From Mobile Earnings
Purpose: Enable mobile phone subscribers to accumulate savings by completing tasks for companies in exchange for mPesa (mobile money), calling minutes, or other currency surrogates.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented. Projects being developed for Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Business model: Not specified.
Tech approach: Mobile phones.
Other partners/funding sources: Nokia, Safaricom Kenya, MIT, University of Nairobi, Mobile Planet, SMS Media.
Project URL: http://txteagle.com
22) Using Mobile Phone For Spreading Renewable Energy Technology
Purpose: Use mobile phones to facilitate payments from Grameen Bank to Grameen Shakti, a renewable energy organization.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented.
Business model: Not specified.
Tech approach: Mobile phones.
Other partners/funding sources: None indicated.
Project URL: n/a
23) VillageSuite
Purpose: Allow users to use mobile phones to access bank accounts, see current market prices for goods, list local items on store fronts, and numerous other developmental, financial, and educational functions.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented.
Business model: The financial model would concentrate on partnering with local mobile operators and handset makers and through targeted advertising in urban and emerging areas.
Tech approach: Mobile phones.
Other partners/funding sources: None indicated.
Project URL: n/a
24) Wireless Trading System - Financial Inclusion And PovertyReduction
Purpose: Allow access to stock market facilities and other financial services using text messaging.
Where it has worked: Not yet implemented.
Business model: Not specified.
Tech approach: SMS.
Other partners/funding sources: None indicated.
Project URL: n/a
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