Presenting at StartUp Tuesday: a social enterprise, a journey and drive to enable change.
(Note: the original and longer version of this post was earlier published at Solvoz.com)
Startup Tuesday is a re-occuring event to inspire and connect with like-minded people in and around The Hague. This series of events is a collaboration among innovative hubs that aim to strengthen connections and support impact-driven entrepreneurship in The Hague, and with the series being virtual due to COVID-19 – far beyond The Hague. The Hague Humanity Hub invited three female humanitarian entrepreneurs – including myself as founder of Solvoz – to discuss technology, innovation and humanitarian action. Moreover, they discussed their journey and drive to enable change.
Startup Tuesday The Hague
Tuesday November 17th 2020, Startup Tuesday The Hague organized their series virtually, with a spotlight on three female entrepreneurs of the Humanity Hub community. I was one of them, presenting Solvoz. The other two humanitarian enterprises were OurLoop – represented by Alex Carle – and AiiD – represented by Emma Lindlay. Two weeks ago, the three of us joined the virtual stage, to discuss what we all set out to solve. What drives us into the entrepreneurial journey. The event kicked off with short presentations of each of us. About ours organizatiosn and journey, before a debate and Q&A session started with participation of the attending public
The three organizations in a few words
I started the session, explain my humanitarian journey. From university, to MSF logistician, to digital humanitarian; all leading to founding Solvoz. Addressing several core problems requiring system change. Poor knowledge how solutions work, low visibility of local solutions, product dominated thinking, and complexity of markets and context. After that, she discussed Solvoz.
Solvoz
Solvoz is the responsible procurement platform for the aid sector. Transforming and enabling system change in procurement and providing open access knowledge. Solvoz provides organizations with open access expert knowledge and responsible solutions packages based on the needs of a user in a certain context. Additionally, it translates the needs of a response scenario into technical and non-technical requirements, which are suitable for response delivery in different contexts. The catalog is integrated with a procurement workflow (tendering). Solvoz actively allows for local procurement and innovation to be included, creating local economic benefits. In conclusion, Solvoz provides transparent, efficient and accountable procurement processes.
OurLoop
OurLoop is founded by Alex Carle. She is a long term humanitarian and former International Director of Programs and Partnerships with the British Red Cross. She wants to systematically include the feedback, needs and experience of people receiving aid. Digitization makes things easy, so assure we use this to enable system change. Loop is a digital platform where the needs and experiences of people receiving Aid (humanitarian or development) can help to shape the type and quality of services which are funded and delivered. It is a registered charity, providing an independent global digital platform that enables people to share their opinions in an open, transparent and safe manner. To improve the quality, responsiveness and appropriateness of current and future services, and to hold those with power accountable. Loop is running pilots in Zambia and the Philippines and will open up their services in more countries next year.
AiiD
Emma Lindley is Managing Director of AiiD, which provides last mile privacy protecting identity solutions, for anyone, anywhere; online and offline. They are working towards a future where someone having to prove their identity no longer presents a barrier of access to essential services. In addition, proving identity should not affect an individual’s rights to privacy. As the world demands digital delivery of products and services, AiiD delivers privacy protecting toolkits for inclusion. Emma has extensive experience in digital identities, cybersecurity and digital trust. Coming from this background, she wanted to put her skills, extensive experience and drive to make an impact for all into humanitarian settings.
How to partner with the three of you?
The host of the evening, Alexander Taillandier (community and communications lead at the Hague Humanity Hub) observed that we all mentioned partnerships. Therefore, he asked the us what is required to partner with our organisaions.
For Solvoz, I presented it as the technical infrastructure, a new eco-system for procurement, with built-in expert knowledge. Particularly, knowledge regarding technical and non-technical requirements, solutions, products and services. Therefore, making procurement easy, transparent, accountable for all; assuring responsible solutions with contextual fit. Solvoz is actively looking for funding (to expand the solutions catalogue and service provision), partners for knowledge and markets, and organizations to test the beta platform (which goes live in December). If you wish to support with, for instance, your knowledge or network, please reach out to Solvoz.
Localization and system change required in the sector
“I heard ‘system change’ a few times”, Alexander Taillandier prompted the debate with the remark that the speakers all mentioned this term and the need for it. Then, Alex requested to see in what way and how do you see from the current pandemic that will move towards longer term change requirements. Is this related and is it relevant to think about building back better?
Digitization has brought many things, and being able to accelerate change. However, technology is not the answer. We have to address the core problems and deal with this in their context. I explained that the whole debate regarding localization comes in here too. The overall objective of localization is improved humanitarian response, ensuring access for all in need to fast, quality, impactful and sustainable humanitarian assistance that is efficient, effective and fit for purpose. Localization is also about complementarity, which looks to a balance between local and international action in order to maximise the comparative advantages of both, and increase effectiveness of the humanitarian response in a given context. There are many great resources on localization and the Grand Bargain.
Frequently, the outcome these days is a focus on staffing. Instead, I proposed to look at the system as a whole. For Solvoz this means localization of supply chains and procurement too, as well as the ability to fund and support operational programs by (not via) local and community based organizations. That’s one of the backbones of Solvoz itself, enabling the localization of supply chains, open up knowledge of logistics-as-a-service and assure local contextual fit and criteria. Move away from heavy reliance on EU- or USA-centric supply chains, and enable (technical) infrastructure that allows for this organizational, procedural and funding wise. In summary, building trust through transparency and sharing.
How can an impact/tech startup partner with NGOs, to solve humanitarian challenges?
Both myself and Alex (OurLoop) were both very clear on this answer, assure you can contextualize your solution and innovation. Familiarize yourself to the context in which you wish to solve the envisaged challenge and with whom. Make sure you understand that challenge, including cultural, environmental, social, and so many other relevant criteria. I explained in addition to think about “logistics, staffing, culture, transportation and most and foremost, it’s not enough to do good. We have to do so responsibly. Be ethical, regarding your data and your needs. Assure to do no harm”. In addition, know what you are to solve; don’t assume challenges. I continued to explain that there are globally 10 million NGOs, small and big. There are many out there, so make sure you find the organization that fits; that works in the context and has a mission and work in line with your solution.