Why is it that when you count the number of companies you know that are innovating at the bottom of the pyramid, it’s really hard to count beyond your 10 fingers? That’s because it’s a different roadmap to the one usually navigated by business. They need different partners, different information, and a different business framework to get there.

That’s why Robin Hood Asia exists — to be your innovation guide.

In this era of globalisation, business has extended its footprint to all corners of the Earth. Business sources its natural resources from the developing world, its supply chains are increasingly based in these countries, and its bottom line is progressively more dependent on the emerging markets in which the poorest of the world’s poor live. Investing in the very communities and environments that are the foundation of corporate growth is good business.

Current CSR investments are mainly in rich countries

In an age of significant corporate philanthropy and social entrepreneurship, for every $1 invested in rich countries … only pennies are spent in poor countries. Furthermore, many of these overseas investments are in non-strategic, piecemeal, fragmented and “chairman’s choice” localised activities. While the tide is changing and there is now greater corporate interest in meeting the needs of the poor, more must be done to bring the private sector squarely into the world of international development. Global companies need to think and act globally to make a difference in business nowadays. Well thought out social investments, closely aligned with business activities, have the potential to exponentially increase the impact and value of CSR investments.

Consumers, investors and employees care even more

You’ve seen the research:

• Depending on the market, up to 50% of consumers will vote for or veto your product based on your social reputation.
• $1 in every $8 in the U.S. is invested in socially responsible funds.
• Up to 70% of employees say that loyalty to their company increases when that company gives something back.

The development case meets the business CSR case

4 billion people live at the bottom of the economic pyramid. In Asia alone, 2.8 billion earn less than $3,000 a year. These people represent a vast source of potential consumers and producers for the private sector. Tragically, these poorest of the poor also lack access to basic goods and services as well as the chance to improve their lives through greater access to finance, jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. This underclass of society would greatly benefit from a concerted effort to eradicate poverty through strategic investments in infrastructure, social services and economic transformation. Such investments would not only improve lives, but also increase purchasing power and demand for consumer products and services.

• By investing in jobs, big (and small) businesses provide opportunities and livelihoods to the under-privileged, which have a knock-on effect in terms of increasing purchasing power and demand for consumer products and services.
• By investing in infrastructure, including transportation networks, telecommunications and electricity grids, business is ensuring greater access to their products by a largely impoverished rural population.
• By investing in water and sanitation systems, by tackling HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, and by supporting greater hygiene awareness, business is promoting healthier lives among those populations that will benefit from economic expansion stimulated by private investment in emerging markets.
• By investing in schools and education curricula, business is investing in the future business leaders, workers, and consumers of the developing world.
• By supporting green technologies and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, business is protecting the natural and human resources that are the very source of their own economic growth.

Business is part of the solution to global poverty

Business has the resources and incentive to build the world’s emerging markets and is currently receiving a mandate from its consumers, shareholders and employees to demonstrate that it can be a part of the solution to global poverty.