The document discusses investing for large scale impact through enterprise-based solutions to development challenges. It summarizes that Shell Foundation works with strategic partners on energy access and mobility issues, deploying money and support to pilot, scale up, and replicate sustainable business models. The goal is to achieve large scale and lasting impact by nurturing innovative entrepreneurial approaches through market-based solutions, sector reform, incubation, piloting and scaling of new models. Lessons learned emphasize the importance of aligned vision, communication, and treating partnerships as long term relationships rather than short term projects.

1. Investing for large scale impact
Anuradha Bhavnani, Regional Director, Shell Foundation

2. Investing for large scale impact
April 2013
Anuradha Bhavnani
Regional Director

3. SF is an independent charity that catalyses
scalable & sustainable enterprise-based solutions to global
development challenges.
Energy access and mobility
We work with a
few strategic partners
on issues aligned to
energy and mobility
Who we are ?
We deploy
more than money to
pilot, scale-up and
replicate solutions
We leverage our
independent but linked
relationship with Shell
where appropriate

4. Sustainable business solutions to development challenges
 These challenges are large and needs pioneering market based solution
 Going to scale and impacting lacs / millions and not thousands
 New solutions / catalyst . Nurture Innovative entrepreneurial approaches
 Need for money and Business Thinking
 Market building – building entrepreneurs / sector pioneers and creating a
wider eco system
 Patience , time and investment are key to creating new partnerships
Sector reformIncubate Pilot Scale

5. Enterprise-based Approach
 Catalytic: identify new model / incubator with a market based solutions
 Focus: on a few challenges build strategic partners
 Co-develop new customer-based solutions
 Social and Environmental impact
 Target financial-viability
 Provide “more than money” to achieve viable growth
 Measure impact
Sector reformIncubate Pilot Scale

6. Lessons learned / reasons for failures
• People make initiatives successful
- Useful to have a pilot/test phase
- Some partners only want money, but need wider support
- There must be aligned vision from the outset
- Choose co-investors like friends – carefully !
- Ensure fair/accurate communications
- A big difference between partnerships and “projects”
- Partner relationships take time and effort to succeed