Grassroots Innovation Examples

For years, I have thought scaling a movement meant more money, more structure, more push. So we set up initiatives, built strategies, and raised funding, and yet, repeatedly, we found ourselves stuck. Things didn’t scale the way we hoped. Earlier this year, I went to Gandhi 3.0 retreat, and met two people who made me rethink everything. ➡️ One of the people I met was a Vietnamese woman. She gave up a corporate career to try small-lot farming with her husband. Together, they built a model for sustainable agroforestry around Hanoi. And today, you can’t drive 20 miles without seeing a farm inspired by their work. I asked her, “How did you do this, and how much did you spend?” She said, “We didn’t do anything. People heard about our work and came to see it. We shared everything and spent nothing.” ➡️ A few days later, we visited Bansi Gir Gaushala in Ahmedabad, founded by Gopalbhai Sutariya, a diamond merchant. He left his business to focus on organic, cow-based farming—not for milk but manure. He built a zero-input circular economy based on traditional Gau Adharit Krishi (cow-based agriculture). His model helps farmers reduce dependency on chemical fertilisers by using cow dung and urine to create powerful organic alternatives. He told me that if farmers adopt these techniques, they would earn four lakhs per acre. I asked, “Why don’t you spread this?” He said, It’s already spreading. Today, 6,000 farmers in 10 states use it. And that made me realise that there’s a better way to bring systemic changes. What they are doing is a grass-root innovation and not Bangalore or Washington DC innovation. Its a open-source, and a pull based adoption than a push adoption and is lubricated by sharing and not by money. And it’s working. But for the world to discover these grassroots innovations faster, a bottom-up approach won’t be enough. There has to be a hybrid—something more catalytic. We need to systematically identify these people and amplify their work so the world finds them faster. Watch to know more: https://bit.ly/3R3oIPY #Innovation #Philanthropy #Societalchange

Forget Silicon Valley. The most fascinating digital transformation is happening in an Indian village where 25% of residents are content creator, earning ₹20,000 to 40,000/month. Nestled in rural Chhattisgarh, Tulsi village has transformed from a traditional farming community into what's now known as the "Instagram Village of India" - and it's challenging everything we thought we knew about digital opportunities in rural areas. Out of its 4,000 residents, over 1,000 are active content creators across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and previously, TikTok. This isn't happening in tech hubs like Bangalore or Mumbai - it's happening in a village most people haven't heard of. The transformation began in 2018 when two locals, Jai and Gyanendra Shukla, launched a YouTube channel called "Being Chhattisgarhiya." Their success sparked a digital revolution as neighbors realized they could monetize their creativity too. What makes Tulsi truly remarkable: - The village hosts more than 40 YouTube channels - Many creators consistently earn between ₹20,000-40,000 monthly - The state government recognized this organic growth and built a dedicated studio in the village Most inspiring is their collaborative approach. Villagers gather at the village chaupal to brainstorm ideas, improve concepts, and decide on casting for videos. This community-driven model of content creation shows that digital success doesn't have to be individualistic. Tulsi proves that social media isn't just changing how we consume content; it's changing how entire communities sustain themselves. What it teaches us is profound: - Digital skills don't require fancy degrees - Content creation isn't just for the privileged - Community-driven models can outperform individual hustle - The next wave of digital innovation might come from the most unexpected places Have you seen other examples of digital platforms transforming rural economies? #digitalindia #contentcreation #instagramvillage

What if the key to unlocking Africa’s future wasn’t technology or infrastructure—but healthcare? In too many communities, preventable diseases are taking lives, holding back progress, and costing billions in lost potential. Without access to quality care, families suffer, economies stagnate, and the cycle of poverty deepens. But here’s the good news: community healthcare centers are changing the story—and the data proves it. Here’s what makes these centers so effective: Accessibility: ↳ Mobile clinics bring healthcare directly to underserved areas. ↳ Affordable services ensure no one is left behind. Quality: ↳ Skilled professionals and reliable medical supplies build trust. ↳ Infrastructure ensures consistent, effective care. Education: ↳ Preventive health education reduces the spread of diseases. ↳ Communities are empowered to make better health decisions. Sustainability: ↳ Local partnerships create long-term impact. ↳ Investments focus on models that grow alongside community needs. Real Results: 🌱 In Zambia, maternal mortality dropped by 70% in two years. 🌱In Kenya, over 30,000 patients were treated in a single clinic in 2024. 🌱 In South Africa, community HIV programs reached 3.5 million people, cutting infection rates significantly. Healthcare doesn’t just save lives—it builds economies, strengthens communities, and creates a better future for all. What’s your take on scaling healthcare solutions to transform lives and economies? Share your thoughts below or let’s connect to explore opportunities. ♻️ Share this story with your network - let's spread this information far and wide! 👉 Follow Ben Botes for more insights on Leadership, Entrepreneurship and #ImpactInvestment.

Grassroots Innovation: Kaizen in Indian Street Engineering Workshops Street engineering workshops in India, found in market areas and narrow lanes, excel in grassroots innovation through kaizen, meaning continuous improvement. These small, family-run establishments understand customer needs and deliver simple, effective home-related solutions using basic mechanics. Here are some examples: 1. Improvised Spare Parts : When specific home appliance spare parts are unavailable or too expensive, street engineers fabricate parts using basic metalworking tools and local materials. This keeps appliances functional without costly imports or long waits. 2. Affordable Automation Solutions : For home-based businesses, street engineers develop simple automation solutions. These include motorized devices for sewing machines, automated irrigation systems for gardens using recycled materials, and mechanized tools for small-scale production. These solutions enhance productivity and reduce manual labor. 3. Cooling Solutions for Appliances : In regions with extreme heat, home appliances like fans and coolers often overheat. Street workshops devise simple cooling solutions, such as installing small fans powered by the appliance’s own power supply or creating custom vents for better air circulation. These modifications maintain performance and extend appliance life. 4. Noise Reduction in Home Equipment : Noise pollution from home equipment can be a nuisance. Street workshops offer noise-reducing solutions, such as adding custom mufflers, using rubber mounts to dampen vibrations, or retrofitting soundproofing materials around noisy components. These solutions significantly improve the home environment. 5. Water Pump Innovations : Efficient water pumps are critical for home gardens and small-scale farming. Street engineers innovate by modifying hand pumps to work with electric motors or creating hybrid systems that can switch between manual and motorized operation, ensuring reliable water access. 6. Enhanced Ergonomics for Tools : Home tools often need ergonomic adjustments to reduce user fatigue and improve efficiency. Street workshops modify handles, grips, and control systems to better suit individual needs, typically done on-site. The street engineering workshops of India embody kaizen through their continuous pursuit of better, simpler home-related solutions. Their deep connection with the community and understanding of customer problems enable effective innovation with limited resources, proving that impactful solutions often come from simple ideas #india #engineering #innovation #motivation #inspiration #design #education

If your business did $1B in revenue, how much would you reinvest in R&D each year? 60%. Zoho, a software company you might never have heard of, continues to bet it all on innovation. Because when you're bootstrapped and profitable in rural India, you can do whatever the heck you want. Sridhar Vembu proved something Silicon Valley will hate: In 2020, he did the unthinkable. Moved his operations from California to Tenkasi: a village in rural Tamil Nadu, India. The tech world thought he'd lost his mind. "You'll never hire talent there." "You'll lose your competitive edge." "Rural India can't build world-class software." Five years later: - $1.4B revenue (growing 30% YoY) - 120 million users globally - 18,000 employees - Reuters values them at $12 billion All bootstrapped. All profitable. All from a village. But here's what really breaks people's brains: Zoho Desk (their flagship enterprise product competing with Salesforce) was coded entirely in Tenkasi by engineers who bike to work past rice paddies. The math is unreal: While VC-backed competitors burn $0.40 to make $1… Zoho spends 60% on R&D and STILL prints revenue. No endless board meetings. No growth-at-all-costs. No dilution. Just 55+ profitable products built by engineers who chose village life over Bay Area traffic. Vembu calls it "Transnational Localism" — global software, village values. But I call it "proof that everything we believe about innovation geography is wrong." Because when your office has: - 15% of engineers who never went to college (trained in-house) - Courtyards that flood into reflecting ponds during monsoons - Engineers coding "by the pond" (literally) ...and you're still competitive with Salesforce in enterprise deals? You're not just building software. You're building a blueprint for the future. The real lesson isn't about funding models. It's that innovation doesn't need a specific zip code. Zoho already proved it with $1.4 billion reasons. Your next competitor might not be in Silicon Valley. They might be coding by a pond in rural India, building the future from a village office. What assumption about "where innovation happens" is holding you back right now?

Think about the entrepreneur who makes a strategic pivot back to their roots. After years in a major market—learning, networking, seizing opportunities—they decide to return to their small island or village, armed with the insights and experience they gained in the big leagues. This move isn’t just sentimental; it’s a calculated choice to apply the best practices, structures, and market-tested strategies they’ve absorbed to create value in their hometown. They see potential where others might overlook it—a gap in the market, a chance to streamline local industries, or an opportunity to introduce innovative solutions that could shift the local economy. By leveraging their big-market knowledge and adapting it to the unique needs of their community, they aren’t simply starting a business; they’re revitalizing local enterprise, bringing new growth and opportunities.

Ever wondered how to turn grassroots efforts into global impact? Our latest Stanford Social Innovation Review article charts the rise of the #proCHW movement. This isn't just a health story—it's a field guide for building powerful coalitions that achieve breakthrough reforms at scale. Key strategies to move the needle: • 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Unite diverse skillsets to drive impact • 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆: Build and amplify an irrefutable case • 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: Startup capital for governments to transition • 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: Nothing about us, without us Whether you're tackling climate change, education reform, or social inequities, these insights can help you scale your impact. Dive in👇 #JourneyToTransformation #SocialInnovation #CollaborativePhilanthropy #Impact #CollectiveAction

The Billion-Dollar Tech Company That Runs from a Village in India Just few week ago, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said he’s switching to Zoho’s document & spreadsheet tools — and urged others to follow. The result? Zoho Mail & productivity suites saw surges in registrations, while Arattai’s daily signups went from ~3,000 to 350,000 in just days. let starts When most founders dream of Silicon Valley, one man built his tech empire from Tenkasi a small village in Tamil Nadu. Meet Sridhar Vembu, the visionary behind Zoho, a ₹50,000 crore SaaS powerhouse taking on global giants like Microsoft and Salesforce. And here’s the twist — Zoho didn’t raise a single rupee in venture capital. No flashy offices. No fancy IPO dream. Just quiet, consistent innovation — from rural India. Here’s how they did it 👇 1. Rural-first Innovation Instead of chasing metros, Zoho set up its R&D center in Tenkasi. They built a world-class tech campus amid farms and coconut trees. Result? Local jobs, low attrition, high loyalty. 2. Zoho Schools of Learning Forget IITs and IIMs. Zoho trains rural youth in coding, design, and business — no college degree required. Today, hundreds of these students power Zoho’s global software products. 3. 100% Bootstrapped. 0% External Funding. While most startups burn investor cash, Zoho grew on profits. That’s why they can take long-term bets — not quarterly ones. 4. Global Impact, Local Roots Zoho now serves 80+ million users across 180 countries. Yet, their HQ still runs from a village road in Tenkasi. Zoho didn’t just build software. They built a new model of capitalism — one rooted in self-reliance, rural empowerment, and patient innovation. The next big tech revolution might not come from Bengaluru or San Francisco… It might just come from a village near you. #Zoho #AI #investmentbanking #linkedin #india

The 2025 Goldman Prize winners Yesterday, seven environmental activists were awarded the 2025 Goldman Environmental Prize (https://lnkd.in/gWaYAJaV), recognizing the power of local action in the face of global ecological threats. From Tunisia to Peru, these individuals have stood up to corporate interests, rallied communities, and challenged governments. Though their causes span continents, their convictions converge: that people, and the planet, deserve better. 🌳 Semia Gharbi (Tunisia): A scientist and educator, Gharbi helped expose a waste trafficking scandal in which Italian household garbage was mislabeled and shipped to Tunisia. Her advocacy led to the return of 6,000 tons of waste, the prosecution of corrupt officials, and strengthened European rules on international waste shipments. 🌳 Batmunkh Luvsandash (Mongolia): An octogenarian electrical engineer and lifelong herder, Luvsandash led efforts to protect the fragile Gobi Desert from copper mining. He hand-drew maps identifying vulnerable ecosystems, resulting in a 205,600-acre reserve now shielded from extraction. 🌳 Besjana Guri and Olsi Nika (Albania): A social worker and ecologist duo who fought to preserve the wild Vjosa River. Their grassroots campaign blocked dozens of proposed dams and secured Europe's first wild river national park. 🌳 Carlos Mallo Molina (Spain): A former port engineer turned activist, Molina halted a proposed harbor in a marine protected area off Tenerife. His work preserved vital whale and turtle habitat and paved the way for a marine conservation center instead. 🌳 Laurene Allen (United States): A social worker who became an expert on toxic PFAS chemicals, Allen led a campaign via that shut down a polluting plastics plant in New Hampshire. She continues to push for stronger regulations and corporate accountability. 🌳 Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari (Peru): A Kukama leader who spearheaded the legal recognition of the Marañón River as a rights-bearing entity. Her victory holds the state and oil companies accountable for environmental harm—and sets a powerful legal precedent for river protection in Latin America. These are not household names. But their impact reverberates far beyond their borders. Mongabay News: https://lnkd.in/grfjMh7H Goldman Environmental Prize: https://lnkd.in/g3-pUwZ3

What if your power came from your neighborhood, not a big utility miles away? That’s the idea behind Utility-Lite, and it’s starting to catch on, especially in Hawai‘i. Utility-Lite is a new model where smaller energy providers install and manage local solar, battery, and microgrid systems. Unlike traditional utilities that control generation, transmission, and billing, Utility-Lite groups focus only on what’s needed: powering homes and businesses directly, with less overhead and more flexibility. Hawai‘i is a natural fit. Each island runs its own grid, and importing fuel is expensive. Add in wildfires, storms, and long delays for grid upgrades, and communities are looking for faster, local solutions. Recent policy shifts like Act 197 are helping open the grid to non-utility players for the first time. Imagine a neighborhood that installs its own solar + battery systems, managed by a local nonprofit. They stay connected to the grid, but rely on it less, pay a fixed monthly rate, and keep energy dollars in the community. Could Utility-Lite be the future for more places, especially those underserved or tired of waiting? Curious to hear your thoughts.