I recently came across a new idea in the development arena which is trying innovative ways to challenge development issues.

Here is The Kopernik:

Kopernik is an on-line store of innovative technologies designed for the developing world that also provides crowd-funded financial subsidies. Through an on-line platform, Kopernik allows the most progressive technologies to reach poor people in developing countries. The goal is to accelerate development through ‘leapfrogging’ or skipping inferior, less-efficient technologies and practices and moving directly to more advanced ones.

Kopernik show-cases innovative products (such as solar powered products and water purification devices) and thereby provides a menu of options accessible to local organizations in developing countries. The organizations then develop short proposals explaining how they can utilize the products to overcome development challenges and impediments to growth. The public in turn funds the most promising proposals in order to make them a reality.

If you ever experienced what cell phones achieved in Africa, you know what these guys are talking about. I’m looking very forward to seeing and hearing more from the Kopernik.