1. Fintech and Financial Inclusion
Diaspora entrepreneurs are at the forefront of innovations in financial technology, especially in providing solutions for cross-border remittances, mobile banking, and financial inclusion. These businesses help individuals in developing countries access banking services, making financial systems more accessible and efficient.
- Chipper Cash (African): A mobile payments platform founded by two African diaspora entrepreneurs, Chipper Cash allows users to send and receive money across African borders with no transaction fees. The platform is democratizing financial services across the continent by integrating mobile money, banking services, and remittances.
- BitPesa (African): Founded by a diaspora member, BitPesa is a digital foreign exchange platform that uses blockchain technology to facilitate quick and affordable payments between Africa and the rest of the world, making international business transactions smoother.
- Wave (African): An innovative mobile money solution created by Senegalese diaspora members, Wave provides seamless money transfers and financial services in West Africa, including bill payments and cash withdrawals via mobile platforms without the need for a traditional bank.
2. Health and Wellness
Many diaspora members are contributing to the health and wellness sectors by introducing solutions that address the healthcare gaps in their home countries and beyond. These solutions range from telemedicine platforms to medical device innovations designed to improve healthcare delivery.
- Zipline (African): A company started by African diaspora members, Zipline uses drones to deliver medical supplies and blood to remote and hard-to-reach areas in Africa. Their innovative approach has saved countless lives by ensuring fast access to essential medical supplies in emergencies.
- MClinica (Asian): Founded by a Filipino diaspora entrepreneur, MClinica is a health-tech company that connects pharmacies, healthcare professionals, and patients in Southeast Asia through digital solutions. The platform aims to improve access to medicine and reduce the cost of healthcare.
- Diaspora HealthTalk (Global): A telemedicine platform created by members of the diaspora, Diaspora HealthTalk connects doctors from the global diaspora to patients in underserved regions, providing consultations, health advice, and second opinions to people who may not have access to specialized care.
3. Education and E-Learning
Diaspora entrepreneurs are also making strides in education by developing e-learning platforms and educational tools that address the learning needs of both diaspora communities and underserved populations back home.
- Andela (African): Founded by a Nigerian diaspora entrepreneur, Andela is a global talent accelerator that identifies and trains African software developers and connects them to global tech companies. It helps bridge the talent gap in the tech industry while providing economic opportunities for individuals in Africa.
- Edukasyon.ph (Filipino): A diaspora-led startup, Edukasyon.ph is an online platform that helps Filipino students access educational resources, apply to schools, and find scholarships. The platform provides students with crucial information and tools to make informed decisions about their education.
- Learning Lions (Global): Created by a global network of diaspora professionals, Learning Lions is a non-profit that teaches digital skills to young people in remote areas of Africa, empowering them to build tech businesses and find online work.
4. Social Impact and Development Projects
Many members of the diaspora are involved in social enterprises and development projects that create positive social impact in their home countries. They address a wide range of issues such as poverty, unemployment, and access to basic services.
- Samasource (African): Founded by a member of the African diaspora, Samasource is a social enterprise that provides training and employment to low-income individuals in Africa by connecting them to digital work opportunities with global companies. This model of impact sourcing is helping to lift people out of poverty by providing high-paying digital jobs.
- Diaspora Action Australia (Australian): An organization started by Australian diaspora members, this initiative works with communities from conflict-affected countries to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development. It brings together the knowledge and resources of the diaspora to aid in reconstruction and development efforts.
- Ethio-American Doctors Group (African): A collective of Ethiopian diaspora doctors who have come together to establish a state-of-the-art medical center in Ethiopia, providing high-quality healthcare services and medical training to local professionals.
5. Technology and Innovation Hubs
Diaspora members have been instrumental in establishing innovation hubs that foster entrepreneurship, technology development, and creativity in their home countries. These hubs serve as incubators for startups and small businesses, helping to drive innovation and economic growth.
- iHub (Kenyan): Founded by a Kenyan diaspora entrepreneur, iHub is an innovation hub that has played a key role in developing Nairobi’s tech ecosystem. It provides resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities for tech startups and entrepreneurs, helping Kenya earn its nickname as “Silicon Savannah.”
- MEST Africa (African): MEST, founded by a member of the African diaspora, is a pan-African technology training program, seed fund, and incubator. It trains aspiring tech entrepreneurs from across Africa, provides seed funding, and helps them launch startups.
- Impact Hub Accra (Ghanaian): Created with the involvement of diaspora professionals, Impact Hub Accra is a co-working and innovation space that fosters social entrepreneurship and innovation in Ghana. The hub supports startups in technology, agriculture, and creative industries.
6. Agriculture and Sustainability
Diaspora entrepreneurs are increasingly involved in sustainable agriculture and environmental initiatives, using innovative solutions to address food security and climate change issues in their home countries.
- Farmcrowdy (Nigerian): Founded by a Nigerian diaspora entrepreneur, Farmcrowdy is a digital agriculture platform that connects small-scale farmers with investors. This innovative solution allows farmers to access funding and resources, improving their productivity and livelihoods.
- Hello Tractor (African): Known as the "Uber for Tractors," Hello Tractor, developed by African diaspora innovators, connects farmers with tractor owners via a mobile app. This shared-economy model increases agricultural productivity by providing smallholder farmers access to affordable machinery.
- Diaspora GreenTech (Global): A diaspora-led initiative focused on sustainable energy solutions in Africa and the Caribbean. It promotes the use of solar energy, clean water systems, and sustainable farming practices to support rural communities.
7. Creative Industries and Media
Members of the diaspora have also been successful in transforming creative industries, particularly through the promotion of their native cultures in global markets. Whether in music, film, fashion, or media, these entrepreneurs are creating new platforms that promote diversity and cultural representation.
- Tidal (African-American): Co-founded by diaspora artists, Tidal is a global music streaming service that offers high-fidelity sound quality and promotes independent artists from diverse backgrounds, giving a platform to voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream media.
- Afrobeats Global (African): An online media platform launched by diaspora entrepreneurs that promotes Afrobeats music and African culture to global audiences, helping to elevate African artists and creators on the international stage.
- Diaspora Films (Global): A film production company created by diaspora filmmakers that focuses on telling stories about the migrant experience, exploring themes of identity, culture, and belonging.