Unlocking new opportunities for impact

One thing that has always fascinates me is the ability to use technology for good. After all, as we often say, let's not do tech for the sake of tech. What is the end game and who benefits?

So for this week, I have decided to do a quick roundup on a few things I have spotted or been following. Thankfully, there is no shortage of great examples. So here are just a few. And I'd love to hear your comments!

For farmers: Hiveonline

I recently had the pleasure of catching up with the amazing Sofie Blakstad ?? . As it turns out, her team is getting ready for the 4th edition of the Regulatory Sandbox run by the Central Bank of Mozambique.

For anyone interested in driving financial inclusion and increasing access to financial digital services for smallholder farmer communities, do check out their great work.

"When we design solutions, it is crucial that we don't leave behind the vast population who do not have a phone nor phone signal. Else, technology will continue to benefit the same population." Sofie Blakstad ??

For consumer carbon footprint: Cogo

I think all (or I hope at least the majority) of us will agree that climate change is one of the biggest challenges that face humanity. Money makes the world go round; financial institutions play an outsized role in our fight for sustainability.

Increasingly, consumers want to know more about the environmental impact of their spending. But where we can and what role can banks and fintechs play?

Here, Emma Kisby , CEO of Cogo , offers her perspective on incorporate customers the carbon reduction journey .

• Practice what you preach.
• Explore partnerships to balance innovation, reach and trust.
• Provide rewards.
• Help consumers improve their carbon literacy.
• Make it optional.

"Behavior change comes from offering information, support and guidance while allowing consumers to make the decisions that work for them in their own time." Emma Kisby

For regenerative finance: web3 with social impact

I am very new to the regenerative finance space. But it's been fascinating to watch a growing ecosystem that many have dismissed as speculative to evolve into solutions with social impact.

Here is an interesting example: Blockchain x Climate Leadership Network (BxC). The newly founded non-profit organization aims to be the "single largest common gathering of climate action innovators, leaders and builders under one global umbrella," according to a press statement shared with CoinDesk. The launch of this new blockchain-climate collective was announced recently at Davos.

While we are on the topic of crypto, Dominic-Madori Davis wrote an amazing article recently on web3 funding to Black founders.

According to Dom, startups in the space are more bullish than ever. Let's hope that trend continues. That will be the one good news I'd love to see for 2023 and beyond.

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This week, I wrote about the "diversity of socks" and the fable of the elephant and giraffe in FinTech Futures .

Will we ever learn? Not sure.

But one thing I do know, we'd see a lot of women's faces next month, given it's International Women's Day on March 8th. That's also the one day where companies all over the world will celebrate and acknowledge women leaders who have been around and doing all the hard work - 365 days of the year.

Oh, but wait. Who's counting?

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In this week's One Vision episode ...?

Technology has not only changed the way we live and work, it is also at the forefront of economic growth in America’s heartland. Remote workers and an influx of new investments are slowly transforming the rust belt into zoom towns, each flourishing with innovation from artificial intelligence and robotics to biotech and military tech.

In this episode of One Vision, I chat with Rebecca Fannin , journalist, media entrepreneur, and author of Silicon Dragon, Startup Asia, and Tech Titans of China, on tech innovation in the East, local innovation economies in the U.S., and what gives her hope.

Give this episode a listen and let us know what you think. Remember, innovation happens everywhere.

"From Rust Belt to Tech Belt: A comeback story for the silicon heartland"

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