Alumni

Dr. Lina Sonne

Thesis:
Innovation in Finance to Finance Innovation: Supporting pro-poor entrepreneur-based innovation

Year: 2011

Promotor(s):
Robin Cowan

Abstract:
This thesis proposed a new way of conceptualising financing of pro-poor innovation in rural areas by focusing on pro-poor entrepreneur-based innovation (PEBI) and by considering the knowledge flows in different parts of the financial system. Empirically, the thesis found that the Indian banking system does not efficiently support rural PEBI. Instead an alternative financing sector has emerged recently, in which there are three broad categories of organisations: micro venture capital firms, small-scale finance providers, and grassroots innovators and incubators. They are complementary, forming an ecosystem of finance for different types of rural PEBI. What these organisations have in common is an integrated approach to support; an emphasis on partnerships and networks to provide better services and acquire expertise; continuous involvement in the investees; and a dual bottom line. This thesis argues that there is a need to partially shift the focus of financial support and livelihood creation in rural areas away from microfinance, to more productive entrepreneurship and innovation that hold potential for indirectly providing more livelihoods and poverty alleviation opportunities. Three broad Government policies to achieve an enabling environment in which the PEBI support organisations can flourish include: 1) supportive regulations and an overarching PEBI Agency to coordinate departmental, national and state efforts; 2) a PEBI Fund investing in PEBI support organisations; and 3) capacity building programmes in entrepreneurship, especially for MFIs, NGOs and Banks.

Selected publications by Lina Sonne


Articles (journal, professional, popular)
Sonne, Lina, 2012, `Innovative initiatives supporting inclusive innovation in India: Social business incubation and micro venture capital, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 79, More information


Book chapters
Fu, Xiaolan, Luc Soete & Lina Sonne, 2010, Conclusions: Science, Technology and Development - Emerging Concepts and Visions, in: Xiaolan Fu and Luc Soete, The Rise of Technological Power in the South, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK


UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Sonne, Lina, 2021, Women's mobile phone access and use: A snapshot of six states in India, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2021-033
Sonne, Lina, 2014, Mapping regional social enterprise ecosystems in India: Framework and indicators, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2014-050
Sonne, Lina, 2010, Bridging the financing gap for pro-poor innovation: Towards a framework, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2010-049
Sonne, Lina, 2010, India’s Rural Financial System: Does it Support Pro-Poor Innovation?, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2010-039
Sonne, Lina, 2010, Financing pro-poor entrepreneur-based innovation: A review of existing literature, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2010-038
Sonne, Lina, 2010, Pro-Poor, Entrepreneur-Based Innovation and it’s Role in Rural Development, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2010-037


Theses
Sonne, Lina, 2011, Innovation in Finance to Finance Innovation: Supporting pro-poor entrepreneur-based innovation, This thesis proposed a new way of conceptualising financing of pro-poor innovation in rural areas by focusing on pro-poor entrepreneur-based innovation (PEBI) and by considering the knowledge flows in different parts of the financial system. Empirically, More information

UNU-MERIT