fábio luiz de oliveira rosa social entrepreneur. today we will discuss: the problem: poverty in...

Fábio Luiz de Oliveira Rosa Social

Entrepreneur

Today we will discuss:

• THE PROBLEM: Poverty in Brazil

• THE STRATEGY: Fabio Rosa’s New Idea

• THE IMPACT: Brightening the Lives ofPoor and Rural

Brazilians

Overview: Poverty in Brazil

• The Facts:– With a population of 180

million, Brazil is home to extreme contrasts of wealth and poverty

– The richest 10% consume 46.9% of the income, while the poorest 10% get by on 0.7%

– 80% of the rural population (30 million people) live in conditions of poverty

The Recife area is marked by the highest income inequalities in Brazil.

These 2 pictures were taken less than 1 mile apart.

Interview: First Hand Perspective on Poverty in Brazil

• Could you generally describe how you saw the disparity between the rich and the poor in Brazil?

The issue is not the size of the pie, but how it is distributed. The border between wealth and poverty is strikingly apparent.

• We are also focusing on the efforts made to get electricity in more homes in Brazil. How do you recall others struggle without electricity?

I think this problem is more prevalent in the countryside. In the cities, most favelas illegally pull power cords down from the power network, so most houses have electricity “for free.” In the countryside, however, it would be much harder to do so, so most people do have to live without electricity.

Click here for full transcript of the interview

Fábio Luiz de Oliveira Rosa• WHO: A social entrepreneur and

businessman (STA & IDEEAS)

• WHAT: One of Rosa’s early successes has been the development of low-cost rural electrification models that improve the quality of life for the rural poor and slow urban migration

• WHY: Surveys of poor rural Brazilians revealed that electricity was at the top of their list, even above better working conditions

• HOW: In the late 1990’s, Rosa realized an opportunity to provide affordable energy when Brazil’s electric utilities were privatized

“I knew my work was important because two billion people still lacked electricity…. I became convinced that solar energy would prompt economic activity, improve education and health, decrease carbon emissions and relieve stress on overcrowded cities.”

-- Fabio Rosa

Why Focus on Electricity?

Electricity is a root cause of poverty in Brazil. The use of electricity in rural areas can enhance:

Education

SafetyHealth

Economic Wellbeing $

CAN FREE LARGE

AMOUNTS OF TIME

& HUMAN LABOR

STA

IDEAAS

Agroelectric System of Appropriate Technology (STA)

• For profit, for those who spend at least $11 per month

• Promote and sell solar energy systems

• Develop cost-effective solar systems at a low price

• Manufacturing of energy components

• Inform population about the benefits of solar energy

• Focus on poor rural areas

Institute for Development of Natural Energy and Sustainability (IDEEAS)

• Founded in 1997 as a non-profit organization, for those who spend less than $11 per month

• Promote and install renewable energy in low-income areas in Brazil

• Rural electrification• Social business model• Income generating schemes for

those at the bottom of the pyramid• Combining high-efficiency and low

cost technology

The Sun Shines For All (TSSFA) Business Model

• TSSFA – A project under STA

• Market research with McKinsey

• Package deal

• One time US $150 installation fee

• Leased equipment

• Flexible contractPBS Special on TSSFA and Rosa

TSSFA - Supply Chain

TSSFA - Basic Kit(US $10/ Month)

TSSFA - Kit 2(US $16/ Month)

TSSFA - Kit 3(US $24/ Month)

TSSFA - The Future

• 12V appliance store

• Electronic bill pay kiosk

• Project Quiron

Project Quiron

Program Impact

• Triple Bottom Line– Financial

• Break-even Analysis and projections

– Social• Electric Power helps improve quality of life, offers

opportunity for income generation, and helps reduce mass exodus to Brazil’s largest cities

– Environmental• Reduction in carbon emissions

Financial Projections

2006 2007 2008 2009Total Number of Kits Leased

1,000 1,500 1,740 1,880

Accumulated Number of Kits

1,000 2,500 4,360 6,100

The Sun Shines for All (TSSFA) estimates it will break-even at the end of 2009 with over 6,000 customers

GOAL FOR FUTURE YEARS: Reach over 100,000 rural customers

Social Impact

• Solar-powered electricity eliminates the need for dangerous and unhealthy lighting products

• Sourcing components of the energy kit from within Brazil benefits the local economy

• People are more likely to stay in their local village instead of migrating to overcrowded cities or shantytowns

Environmental Impact• The Agroelectric System of Appropriate Technology (STA)

estimates that providing solar energy to 12,900 families (52,000 people) would save:

- 9 million liters of kerosene- 4.6 million kilos of liquefied petroleum gas- 46.4 million wax candles- 9.3 million radio batteries- 23.2 million liters of diesel fuel

• Reduce global warming

The Social Enterprise Spectrum

Mostly Philanthropic Hybrids Mostly Commercial

“Alleviating Poverty & Malnutrition: Successful Models”

Financing and development aid, Nutrition and Food Fortification, Food Production & Distribution

General Methods:

Appeal to goodwill

Non-pecuniary rewards

Mission driven

Mixed motives

Some subsidy

Impersonal exchange

Arms-length bargaining

Market driven

Key Stakeholder Relationships

Primary beneficiaries:

Unclear or needy

Not required to pay

Subsidized pricing

Price discrimination

Third-party payers

Customer able to pay

Priced for profit

Capital sources:

Philanthropic

Donations/grants

Mixed debt & donations or subsidized investments

Capital market rate

Equity and debt

Work force: Volunteers with high

Commitment to social mission

Mixture of volunteers, professionals, paid staff or below-market wages

Paid employees, focus on financial rewards

Suppliers: In-kind donations Discounts, or mixture of in-kind and full price

Charge market prices

Governance Mission-constrained

Self-perpetuating Board stewardship

Mixtures of representation and self-selection

Balancing constituencies

Board elected by owners

Property rights

Fiduciary responsibilities

Fabio Rosa, STA, IDEAAS, TSSFA, & Quiron

For Profit & Non-Profit Social Alliance: Incorporating the Strengths of Both

For-profit:STA & TSSFA

NGO:IDEAAS & Quiron

Strength $; Breakeven in 4 years; Alliances/understanding of local

community and politics

Poor as employees–sustainability; Empowering

Weakness Size; Lack of experience compared to utility companies

in the area

$; Currently a start-up (challenges of a young

business)

Opportunity New technology can further reduce costs;

Culture of constant innovation

Can improve income and living conditions; Opportunity to reach the most poor; Social and environmental impacts

Threat Powerful utility co’s may extend grid into target area;

Default risk; Political obstacles

Reliance on livestock/ agriculture – risk of natural

disaster or disease;Micro-lending (credit risk)

Fabio’s Strategy: A “Better Mousetrap”

Not simply a one size fits all strategy – differentbusiness models to target different segments

Social alliances – incorporating benefits of nonprofits and for profits

Culture of innovative thinking & creativity

Passion and drive of Fabio Rosa

Research & strong understanding of demographics and communities

Prevents thefts Ease – un-installation FREE

Perseverance, patience, quality, and attention to detail

Fabio has changed my life. Hehas allowed my family to notonly survive, but to thrive. Heis changing the lives of every rural community here in Brazil.

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Questions?