Past and Present Ventures

HESE is focused on social venture creation as both a means to teach the tools and methods of social entrepreneurship and for the very real purpose of launching the ventures themselves. Nearly every activity undertaken in the HESE program is directly related to advancing one’s venture.

3D Prosthetics

The burden of disability is felt strongest in developing countries, particularly in rural areas, where access to services and rehabilitative devices is limited. In regions where manual labor is the basis for economic productivity, amputations can have debilitating effects on individuals and families.

The 3D Prosthetics venture seeks to provide appropriate prosthetics that can limit the negative effects of amputation. To do this venture addresses concerns in four targeted areas:

• An analysis of the upper-limb prosthetic devices currently designed for the developing world context
• An exploration of manufacturing methods to determine the ideal method for a prosthetic hand, such as e-NABLE’s Raptor Reloaded
• An assessment of the range of tasks that can be successfully accomplished using the Raptor Reloaded. Would these address the likely needs of developing world users?
• An overview of the community of organizations, clinics, and hospitals working in Zambia to provide prosthetic services

Affordable Greenhouses

There are many benefits to greenhouses including increasing crop yield, increasing food security, reducing crop spoilage, and conserving water. Additionally, Greenhouses and help improve the livelihoods of farmers. A majority of greenhouses sold in sub-Saharan Africa are designed for commercial use and are too large and expensive for small farms.

Affordable Greenhouses’ goal was to create greenhouses that are easy to set-up and cheap. After field-testing approximately ten greenhouses in different climatic conditions and supply chain scenarios in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, the technology was licensed to a for-profit company in Kenya (Mavuuno Greenhouses) in 2012. In 2013, the technology was licensed to a social enterprise in Cameroon (Greenhouse Ventures, Ltd.) with six neighboring countries in its territory. In 2014, in collaboration with World Hope International, and with funding support from the USAID Securing Water for Food (SWFF) Program, a social enterprise called GRO Greenhouses was established in Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and Zambia.

Angel Aid

Angel Aid works to authentically combat disabilities. ​By mapping out the ecosystem of non-government organizations and using local volunteers Angel Aid works to increase the quality of life for people with disabilities in Sierra Leone. Families and community members have educated their health care workers and help people identify and understand disabilities. Quality of life is greatly improved by showing locals techniques to manage disabilities.  

Biocynth 

Biocynth makes bioplastics from invasive plant species, trying to increase the amount of quickly biodegradable plastics that are used in developing communities. Working with those who suffer the ill effects of these plants, they can at once incentivize the removal of these species and create a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

Inakua

Inakua developed a small scale aquaponics system that frees subsistence farmers from the fluctuations caused by climate changes. Their low-cost system includes appropriate education and starting materials that will free farmers from the risk and time of traditional farming methods.

Mashavu

Mashavu (“chubby-cheeked” in Swahili) is a telemedicine system that connects medical professionals in developing countries with individuals living in rural areas. The goal of Mashavu is to enable individuals living in resource-constrained communities to take an active interest in their health, regardless of proximity to a medical facility. Mashavu implements multiple methods of ensuring that healthcare reaches the farthest corners of Africa. Through paper, digital, and mobile-based communication methods, Mashavu ensures that everyone in Kenya can get fast and accurate medical care.

Matibabu