by Jaclyn Berfond - Events -

MICROFINANCE EVENT: The Silicon Valley Microfinance Network and IQPC to Host Conference on Innovation in Microfinance

MICROFINANCE 2.0: INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THRIVE IN THE DOWNTURN

JUNE 15-17, 2009, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

About the Event: The Silicon Valley Microfinance Network (SVMN) is partnering with the Finance IQ division of International Quality & Productivity Center (IQPC) to present Microfinance 2.0, a three-day conference that will focus on innovations in the microfinance sector. The Silicon Valley Microfinance Network is a San Francisco Bay Area professional organization that aims to “connect, educate and engage people in microfinance” through monthly speaker programs and networking events, training courses, and information on their website. By working with IQPC, an international event and conference producer, SVMN is able to bring their mission to a larger venue. Microfinance 2.0 seeks to draw lessons from Silicon Valley’s top entrepreneurs and find innovative solutions to challenges facing the microfinance industry today. Participants will discuss new strategies in microfinance, technological inventions that help the Bottom of the Pyramid, shifting investor strategies and the role of venture capital in microfinance, and how the internet and social networking sites are changing the sector.

Who is Invited: Private Investors, Social Entrepreneurs, Foundations, Microfinance Practitioners, Banking Executives, Micro-insurance Companies, Microfinance Attorneys, Public Pension Funds, Venture Capitalists, and Consultants.

Keynote Speakers:

  • Vikram Akula, Founder of SKS Microfinance and one of TIME Magazines’s “Top 100: The People Who Shape Our World” in 2006
  • Tracey Turner, Founder of Microplace (an eBay company)

Sessions:

  • Learning Lessons From The Social Networking World
  • Shifting Investor Strategies In Challenging Times
  • Mitigating Foreign Exchange Risk With These Innovative Techniques
  • Microfinance Dot Com: Leveraging The Unique Powers Of The Internet To Scale Effectively, Improve Efficiency, And More!
  • Picking Winners: What Microfinance Investors Can Learn From Sand Hill Road
  • Beyond Microfinance: Innovative Financial Products Hitting The Industry
  • Revolutionizing Microfinance With Exciting Technology Innovations
  • Microfinance In A Macroeconomic Mess! Evaluating How The Current Financial Crisis Affects The Microfinance Industry
  • Recession?! What Recession?! Evaluating Strategies And Best Practices From MFI’s And Investors Who Are Successfully Weathering The Current Economic Storm
  • Branding Microfinance As Exciting, Interesting, And “Cool” With Innovative Concepts

A full list of sessions and speakers can be found on the IQPC website.

Important Dates: The event begins on June 15, 2009 with a set of pre-conference workshops, Microfinance 101 and Utilizing Microfinance Investment Vehicles, which are designed to give attendees new to microfinance an overview of the sector. The workshops are offered at an additional cost, and can be attended by those not participating in the conference. The main conference runs June 16-17, 2009.

Cost: Registration fees are as follows:

Register and pay by April 17th
Conference only: $799
Workshop only: $500
Conference and workshop: $1,299

Register and pay by May 15th
Conference only: $899
Workshop only: $500
Conference and workshop: $1,399

Register and pay after May 15th
Conference only: $999
Workshop only: $500
Conference and workshop: $1,499

Registration: Registration for Microfinance 2.0 can be completed online, or by calling + 1 800 882 8684. Additional information can be found on IQPC’s website, or by downloading the full conference brochure.

By Jaclyn Berfond

Additional Resources:

IQPC Conference Details: “Microfinance 2.0: Innovative Solutions to Thrive in the Downturn”

The Silicon Valley Microfinance Network: Homepage

TMCnet.com: “Microfinance 2.0 Conference Scheduled”

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