Mission and Purpose
VILLAGEBOOM is a social enterprise that creates business from making the poor richer.
It initiates innovative micro business models in rural areas in developing countries. The new products and services improve the lives of people at the bottom of the pyramid.
The two billion people who live on less than 2 $ per day are smart people who deserve much better. However, they lack the knowledge about relevant business opportunities that do exist for them. There are countless sustainable micro business models in the world with the potential to create billions of dollars in value for unprivileged entrepreneurs and citizen. We just have to find and apply them. Replacing kerosene lamps by solar light is just one, yet powerful, example with the potential to save billions of dollars for kerosene lamp users.
Read here about the value creation of the VILLAGEBOOM Money Saver Solar Light.
Our success will become a role model for other companies so they launch their own sustainable businesses in the same cluster. Together we create a business boom in a village. More and more low-income households will improve their lives towards a world without poverty.
If you know business models that create value for the underserved, please submit your idea. The most promising ideas will be captured under Ideas & Projects. Be part of this exciting journey!
People and History
VILLAGEBOOM is passionately working towards a fairer world. VILLAGEBOOM attracts resources and the finest people who are committed to make the world a better place. VILLAGEBOOM seeks to form partnerships with people and companies wherever it supports its mission. Please contact us!
In 2008 VILLAGEBOOM was founded by Thomas Ricke, a social entrepreneur who learned management skills at Procter & Gamble, a company with the purpose to improve the lives of the world consumers. Thomas joined P&G in 1990 in Germany and moved to Yemen in 1997 as Finance Manager P&G Yemen. It was here where he became highly interested in economic development. Subsequent assignments in Egypt and Nigeria prepared him for his current role.
After Thomas studied the top twenty BOP business models that cater to the needs of low income households, he conducted field trips to Senegal, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Mexico and India. In late 2009, he launched a test market in Nigeria for the most promising business model - selling solar lamps as replacement for kerosene lamps. The test market results were the foundation for the development of an affordable solar light that meets the consumer needs. It has been launched in Ghana in December 2010.
