French information technology company Capgemini Group and MicroWorld, an internet-based microfinance intermediary and member of the French PlaNet Finance Group, have launched a digital microfinance platform that “allows individuals and companies to lend small sums of money to finance micro-entrepreneurs who are unable to access traditional banking services.” MicroWorld disburses loans via partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Peru, Cambodia, Madagascar, Lebanon, Senegal and Tajikistan. The platform allows members of the public to issue interest-free loans from EUR 20 (USD 26.6) upwards. Once fully paid, lenders can either withdraw or reinvest the funds in other projects. Financial details on MicroWorld are not available. Other members of PlaNet Finance Group are involved in a range of microfinance activities including technical assistance, rating and lending [1] [2].
By Brendan Millan, Research Associate
About Capgemini: Founded in 1967, the French information technology company Capgemini provides services in consulting, technology and outsourcing. Capgemini employs approximately 115,000 people and operates in 40 countries.
About MicroWorld: Initiated in 2010 by PlaNet Finance, a nongovernmental microfinance organization, MicroWorld is a social business that allows individuals and organizations to finance the projects of microentrepreneurs through online loans that are disbursed via partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Peru, Cambodia, Madagascar, Lebanon, Senegal and Tajikistan. MicroWorld is financed through private funds and its corporate partners. Financial details on MicroWorld are not available.
About PlaNet Finance: Founded in 1998 in Paris, France, PlaNet Finance is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) with the mission of alleviating poverty through microfinance development. PlaNet Finance is active in approximately 80 countries as of 2008 and is comprised of nine for-profit and nonprofit units: PlaNet Finance Advisory Services, which provides technical and advisory services; Planet Rating, a microfinance rating agency; PlaNIS responsAbility SAS, which specializes in advisory services and structuring and managing microfinance funds; MicroCred, an investor in microfinance; PlaNet Guarantee, which specializes in microinsurance; FinanCites, a social venture capital company; MicroFit, a microfinance software unit; PlaNet University, a microfinance training provider; and MicroWorld, an internet-based microfinance intermediary.
Sources and Resources:
[1] Capgemini Group Press Release: “To mark Microcredit Week in France, the Capgemini Group is Mobilizing its Employees all over the World to Support an Innovative Initiative to help Micro-entrepreneurs”, http://www.capgemini.com/news-and-events/news/to-mark-microcredit-week-in-france-the-capgemini-group-to-support-an-innovative-initiative-to-help-microentrepreneurs/
[2] MicroWorld: “MicroWorld-Capgemini Microcredit Digital Platform.”, http://capgemini.microworld.org/en#.T0esBocfRSk
MicroCapital.org Article, February 7, 2012, “Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappijvoor Ontwikkelingslanden NV (FMO), Triodos Bank Launch Online Responsible Finance Magazine”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-nederlandse-financierings-maatschappijvoor-ontwikkelingslanden-nv-fmo-triodos-bank-launch-online-responsible-finance-magazine/
MicroCapital.org Article, January 26, 2012, “Kiva Piloting Peer-to-Peer Microfinance Lending Platform Kiva Zip in Kenya, San Fransisco”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-kiva-piloting-peer-to-peer-microfinance-lending-platform-kiva-zip-in-kenya-san-francisco/
MicroCapital.org Article, May 5, 2011, “17 Websites Now Allow Individuals to Commit as Little as USD 20 as Microfinance Loans”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-17-websites-now-allow-individuals-to-commit-as-little-as-usd-20-as-microfinance-loans/
MicroCapital.org Article, November 11, 2009, “New York Times Calls Kiva’s ‘Person to Person’ Model an ‘Illusion’,” https://www.microcapital.org/news-wire-united-states-new-york-times-calls-kivas-person-to-person-model-an-illusion/
MicroCapital Universe Profile: Capgemini Group, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Capgemini+Group#Capgemini_Group
MicroCapital Universe Profile: MicroWorld, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=MicroWorld
MicroCapital Universe Profile: PlaNet Finance, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=PlaNet+Finance
Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/
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