Innovation isn’t just about invention; it is about changing the way people think about careers and possibilities. Malawian universities are perfectly situated for this role. By mentoring faculty, alumni and community members, universities can create companies with double bottom lines for social impact and financial viability. These Development Entrepreneurships (DEs) can employ people and self-finance while confronting challenges of environmental degradation, food security, water, gender discrimination, and energy poverty. DEs can mitigate the drastic consequences of extreme poverty – with Africans taking the lead. The Flame Tree Initiative exists to facilitate the DE process. In our DE Lab, a two week intensive training program, we provide knowledge of low-cost technological innovations, business planning, and external financial resources. Participants receive training on entrepreneurship, templates from proven model programs and assistance in launching their unique development entrepreneurships. The most qualified projects have the opportunity to join our incubator process to launch their enterprises with an eye on sustainability, job creation, and locally-led economic development.
