Microfinance Platforms like Kiva

This cluster centers on discussions of microfinance and microlending platforms such as Kiva.org and Zidisha, where users lend small amounts directly to entrepreneurs in developing countries to support businesses and alleviate poverty. Comments share personal experiences, endorsements, and ideas for similar initiatives locally or globally.

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Sample Comments

iso1337 • Jan 4, 2019 • View on HN

You can try out kiva.orgMy problem with it was that most of the businesses were of the retail type (selling clothes on the streets). I’m not an economist but that seems to me to not have much potential for lifting many out of poverty.

midenginedcoupe • Sep 14, 2022 • View on HN

Sounds a bit like https://kiva.org

JohnSz • Oct 5, 2014 • View on HN

This reminds me of www.zidisha.org where you can make micro-loans to 3rd-world individuals.

dmgrow • Nov 22, 2012 • View on HN

Kiva (a similar site for microlending to entrepreneurs in third-world countries) does this. From my personal experience, it's been quite effective and encouraged me to occasionally donate while lending to entrepreneurs.

v_lisivka • Apr 1, 2019 • View on HN

Join Kiva[1]. They do exactly as you say, and they are extremely successful.[1]: https://www.kiva.org/

rdl • Mar 27, 2013 • View on HN

There's no reason you couldn't do "Watsi for local entrepreneurship" or something. Essentially Kiva-like.

suits2go • Jan 26, 2011 • View on HN

That is not an off the wall suggestion at all.. I love it. Will look into these Microcredit orgs.Upvote for you.. Thank you very much!

rrival • Apr 30, 2008 • View on HN

Here's a derivative idea: kiva.org for startups everywhere, with a % take in the outcome.

cjbenedikt • Apr 30, 2018 • View on HN

Congrats, great idea. Not too dissimilar from Yunus' microloans or his Social Business concept.

rewrew • May 6, 2016 • View on HN

I regularly do low-interest loans to African entrepreneurs via Zidisha -- that's money that's helpful in a concentrated way, vs. bulk money that I'm skeptical won't have negative consequences.