As Karina just mentioned Natalie Portman—sporting a shaved head--just introduced the video feed of Coldplay from London (taped). She talked about the impact of microloans on people in developing nations. While entrepreneurs here are busy raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to tens of millions of dollars to start companies, people in foreign countries can start real businesses with thousands—even hundreds—of dollars. I’ve heard a lot of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs talk about venture philanthropy and microloans, but never a celebrity talking to tens of millions of people around the world. It’s and idea who’s time has come, and Live8 is turning out to be a clearing house for education and empowerment. Very inspiring.
More on Microloans:
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/09.16/11-microloans.html
http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/
http://www.yearofmicrocredit.org/
http://www.google.com/search?q=microloans
