Not so typical a start-up…

When you walk in, IIX looks like a typical Silicon Valley start-up, but’s it actually very different.

In just two weeks, I have seen the spectrum of people who come through our doors. IIX does have the ability to influence the policies and mindsets of governments, a staggering ability that we cannot imagine in the U.S. where we are paralyzed by so many differing opinions. Whilst this difference of opinions often leads to innovation, it also stunts the growth of movements. However, Asia may just be the region where social enterprise can truly take off to achieve scale. The big question is whether IIX’s approach to sustainable development might be able to influence governments, often governments led by a small group of elite, who seem open for guidance.

The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore, the Singapore development agency, decided 20 years ago to make Singapore’s private banking system better than the Swiss banking system, and they seem to have achieved their goal. They have also very systematically made Singapore into a successful regional air transport hub. While not all of their initiatives have been so successful, they do make a commitment to be the best. They have now decided that being the Asian regional hub for the social sector would add to their core capabilities as a nation.