Gates Partners With Ashoka

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is known for making very calculated investments in the world of social capital. This recent announcement them puts them in partnership with a group founded to do just that, Ashoka. Microfranchising writes…

Now that it is public I can likewise publicly share my enthusiasm for this opportunity and what it could mean for the sector. $15 million does not put this partnership in the top tier of grants made by the Gates Foundation by any means but I think the knowledge and models that can come out of this partnership could dramatically drive the spread of innovation across the entire Gates portfolio. Ashoka’s expertise in grassroot, early-stage identification as well as pattern and trend identification across their network will be powerful tools for Gates who then has the resources to really bring those innovations to the rest of the world. It will be an interesting experience for both organizations. When it comes to franchising I’m anxious to see if it surfaces in the early rounds of identification by Ashoka.