Technologies and Business Models that Work in Developing Countries

The innovative adaptation of advanced and "appropriate technologies" in developing countries offers valuable insight into the need for new design parameters to increase the diffusion of technological innovations to the poor. This adaptation process also highlights how the challenges of infrastructure and distribution can be overcome, as well as how prevailing business models can be adapted to foster market creation at the bottom of the pyramid. This paper draws on the evidence from nominations to the Tech Museum Awards and lessons learned from on-the-ground social entrepreneurs to suggest a possible roadmap for increasing technology deployability and useability, and for increasing the rate of future technology diffusion in developing countries