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Global Perspectives on the Research-Practitioner Nexus

Claudia Knobloch, Director, Endeva UGBerlin, February, 27, 2013

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2Overview 2

Actors in research and practice

Challenges of collaboration

Role of research

Solution: Useful research for practitioners

3Endeva works in research and implementation 3

building

sharing

applying

Independent institute

enterprise solutions to development challenges

4Overview 4

Actors in research and practice

Challenges of collaboration

Role of research

Solution: Useful research for practitioners

5Academia and companies seem to be worlds apart 5

• Look for hard facts in large samples over a longer period of time

• Set certain contextual parameters

• Design the best solution and cutting edge technology

• Look for funding from companies

• Rather new business models with little track record

• Flexibility and „try and error“ due to lack of experience

• Serving the poor needs reliable quality at a low price

• Little financial and human resources for research

Academia & research institutions

Social & inclusive businesses

6Overview 6

Actors in research and practice

Challenges of collaboration

Role of research

Solution: Useful research for practitioners

7Challenges of co-operations are cumbersome

• Clash of cultures

• Priorities

• Confidentiality

• Timing

• Financing

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8Overview 8

Actors in research and practice

Challenges of collaboration

Role of research

Solution: Useful research for practitioners

9Research can play a vital role for companies 9

•Put topics on the agenda of companies, the public and governments•Learn from best practice •Enable students to familiarize with companies and practice

Start-up phase Implementation phase

Scale up phase

In general

• Help to measure results and provide evidence e.g. for investors

• Discover opportunities and risks in new markets

• Track operations, show success and failures and work on improving the business and products

• Develop out of the box solutions

• Provide models that help to think about business model design

• Provide market data

10Overview 10

Actors in research and practice

Challenges of collaboration

Role of research

Solution: Useful research for practitioners

11Collaboration on many levels 11

Business model, financing,

products and results

Market, clients and supply

chain

Business environment

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Business environment

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Market information

1414Business model

design

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Product & service design

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Results measurement

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Thanks for your attention!

Claudia Knobloch, c.knobloch@endeva.org, Tel. +49 (0)179 507 88 64

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BACKUP

19Designing an inclusive business model 19

2020

21Solutions for energy at the BoP

22Gathering information from more than 30 experts… 22

23… and 11 villages plus the slums of Tana 23

xxx

xxx xx

x

x

x

24Using interactive methods 24

25Modular approach – differentiate target group! 25

Commu-nication

Infor-mation

Electricity

Enter-tainment

•Taxiphone•Internet•Fax, copy, scan service•Typing service•Mobile money

• Charging of phones• Charging of lamps• Charging of large

batteries

•Cinema / TV•Karaoke•Music / Disco•Cold drinks

• Educational videos (health, farming etc.)

• Portal for farmers (FTA) Access to information

• Programmes for students: free access on Wednesday afternoon (Airtel)

• Connecting class-rooms as exchange platform (UNICEF)

26Kiosk design 26

• 3 parts: storage, counter & cyber café

• 20 sqm

• Painted in bright green like logo

• Suitable for Malagasy climate: cyclone proof, humidity proof

• 1 kW solar panel

• Material: Steel & wooden planks

• Aimed costs: 4,000 Euro

• Status: first kiosk opend

27Constraints for Companies 27

Market Information

Physical infrastructure

Regulatory environment

Knowledge and skills

Access to financial services

28Adapt product and processes 28

Provide off-grid energy solutions rather than grid connection.

29Invest in removing market constraints 29

d.Light does awareness raising campagns to inform people about the advantages of solar lights.

30Leverage the strength of the poor 30

Barefoot Colleges trains illiterate women to become solar engineers.

31Combine resources and capabilities with others 31

Partner with MFI to get energy solutions financed like here a solar lantern for a small silk worm farm.

32Engage in policy dialogue with government

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Start dialogue with government to introduce regulation around renewable energies, eg feed-in tarifs