Shows
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#37 Rebuilding the Brick: LEGO's Journey From Crisis to SustAInnovationDescription: How did the world’s most iconic toy company go from the brink of bankruptcy to unprecedented global success?. In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating turnaround story of the LEGO Group. We explore how former CEO Jørgen Vig Knudstorp rescued the company in the early 2000s by cutting crippling supply chain complexities, drastically reducing product components, and refocusing on the company's core asset: the physical plastic brick.From there, we unpack how LEGO evolved from a simple product manufacturer into a massive customer-experience powerhouse. We discuss the delicate balance bet...
2026-04-2923 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#36 The Evolution of 365FarmNetDescription: In this episode, we explore the fascinating journey of 365FarmNet, a pioneering farm management information system (FMIS) introduced by the agricultural machinery manufacturer CLAAS in 2013. Originally designed as an ambitious, open ecosystem to handle everything "from field to barn," it promised farmers a unified way to manage mixed tractor fleets, reduce duplicate data entry, and easily navigate regulatory compliance. We discuss how 365FarmNet solved real operational headaches for its approximately 100,000 registered users across Europe, particularly through interoperability innovations like DataConnect, which allowed seamless data exchange across major competing brands like John Deere and CNH Industrial...
2026-04-2807 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#33 Decoding Honeywell Forge: Transforming Industrial Data into Digital OutcomesIn this episode, we dive deep into the strategic evolution of Honeywell Forge, exploring how a traditional industrial giant successfully transitioned into a software-driven platform. We trace the emergence of the Honeywell Connected Enterprise (HCE) in 2018, which spearheaded the shift from selling standalone products to generating recurring, data-driven software revenue across industries like aerospace, building technologies, and life sciences.Listeners will discover the key benefits of the Forge platform, specifically how it solves the massive challenge of fragmented operational technology (OT) and IT data by focusing on verticalized...
2026-04-2822 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#34 The D2C Dilemma: Navigating Manufacturer-Dealer Collaborations in the Digital AgeThe shift toward Direct-to-Customer (D2C) strategies and digital servitization presents a complex paradox for product manufacturers today. While digital technologies offer lucrative new revenue streams, valuable data, and closer customer relationships, bypassing established dealer networks can lead to severe consequences, including brand dilution, loss of market share, and disrupted customer journeys.In this episode, we dive deep into the "D2C Dilemma," exploring how major brands like Nike, Caterpillar, and Mafell have navigated the rocky transition from traditional indirect sales to hybrid, data-driven ecosystems. We unpack a proven three-phase framework for safely embedding...
2026-04-2806 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#35 From Plant Floor to Cloud: The Evolution of Rockwell's FactoryTalk InnovationSuiteDescription: In this episode, we dive deep into Rockwell Automation's ambitious pivot from a traditional controls and automation hardware vendor to a software, data, and digital-transformation platform vendor. We explore the evolution of FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, which operates as a federated digital-transformation stack bringing together IIoT, manufacturing execution systems (MES), and analytics. Discover how key milestones—like the initial 2018 PTC alliance and the pivotal 2021 acquisition of Plex Systems—reshaped Rockwell’s strategy toward a broader cloud operations platform.We'll unpack the strategic benefits driving their recurring revenue growth, alongside the real-world integration and packaging challenges they face...
2026-04-2807 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#61 Project Maji: Pricing Water, Powering Change in Sub-Saharan AfricaDescriptionWhat happens when clean water becomes both a human right and a business puzzle? In this episode, we dive into Project Maji—a nonprofit social enterprise that builds solar-powered water kiosks across rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, starting in Ghana and Kenya. We follow founder Sunil Lalvani’s journey from witnessing a broken hand pump to designing a modular “Maji Cube” that delivers reliable water through remote monitoring and cashless payments.But the real tension sits at the heart of the model: pricing. Charging a small fee can keep systems running and fund maintena...
2026-03-0505 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#60 Shenzhen Power Solution Replacing Kerosene Lamps with Solar InnovationDescriptionAcross sub-Saharan Africa, hundreds of millions of people still live without reliable electricity. For many families, the night is lit only by candles or kerosene lamps—dangerous, unhealthy, and costly sources of light. In this episode, we explore how a Chinese social enterprise is working to change that reality.Shenzhen Power Solution (SPS), founded by entrepreneur Susan Li, has developed ultra-affordable solar products designed specifically for communities living off the electricity grid. Its flagship product, the “Candles Killer” solar lamp, costs less than five dollars yet provides years of clean, reliable lighting. By combining frugal...
2026-03-0505 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#59 How AFEX is modernizing African AgricultureDescriptionIn this episode, we dive into the AFEX case—an African commodities exchange that set out to “help Africa feed itself” by connecting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to transparent markets and finance. Starting in Nigeria, AFEX learned that building a world-class trading platform wasn’t enough: without solving last-mile problems like storage, grading, logistics, and trust, there would be no reliable volume flowing through the exchange.We unpack AFEX’s business model innovation—its warehouse receipt system, input financing that boosts yields, digital price transparency for farmers using basic phones, and quality/traceability standards th...
2026-03-0505 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#32 Ericsson’s Evolution: Competing Through Software, Services, and PlatformsDescription:How does a 150-year-old telecommunications company stay competitive in the age of 5G, cloud computing, AI, and platform ecosystems? In this episode, we explore the Ericsson case and examine how the company transformed from a traditional network equipment supplier into a software- and services-driven technology leader.We discuss Ericsson’s strategic pivot toward cloud-native infrastructure, AI-enabled network automation, enterprise 5G solutions, and global network APIs. The episode analyzes major moves such as the Vonage and Cradlepoint acquisitions, partnerships with AWS, Microsoft, and Google Cloud, and the creation of the Aduna network API ma...
2026-03-0405 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#58 Clean Water, Local Responsibility: Sustainable Water Solutions with Waterkiosk FoundationDescriptionWhat does it take to deliver safe drinking water to communities where infrastructure is limited and traditional water systems don’t reach? In this episode, we explore the work of the Waterkiosk Foundation and its innovative approach to sustainable water access.Through decentralized water kiosks, the foundation combines solar-powered technology, community participation, and sustainable financing models to provide reliable clean water in rural villages, schools, healthcare facilities, and vulnerable communities. Instead of relying solely on aid, the Waterkiosk model creates locally managed water points that generate revenue for maintenance while remaining affordable for re...
2026-03-0415 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#30 Acquiring Service Growth: How Atlas Copco Became a Service Leader Through M&ADescriptionHow do strategic acquisitions turn an industrial manufacturer into a global service leader? In this episode, we examine how Atlas Copco transformed its business model between 2005 and 2025 by systematically acquiring distributors, service specialists, rental businesses, and technology firms to expand its installed base and recurring revenues From early moves to strengthen aftermarket capabilities to major deals in vacuum technology and specialty rental, Atlas Copco used bolt-on acquisitions as a deliberate engine for service growth. By integrating these companies into dedicated service divisions and leveraging digital platforms like SmartLink, the firm increased service revenues t...
2026-02-2606 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#31 From Switchgear to Software: Schneider Electric’s Digital ReinventionDescription:How does a traditional electrical equipment manufacturer become a global digital services powerhouse?In this episode, we explore how Schneider Electric transformed from a hardware-driven industrial firm into a leader in software, IoT platforms, and recurring digital services between 2005 and 2025. Through bold acquisitions such as Telvent, Invensys, AVEVA, and RIB Software, the company built deep software capabilities and reshaped its business model around connected products, analytics, and lifecycle services. We unpack the rise of the EcoStruxure platform, the shift toward subscription-based revenue, and how Schneider’s “digital flywheel” now drives more t...
2026-02-2617 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#29 Reinvention of Sony: From Walkman to Worldwide Streaming.Description:How did Sony transform from a legendary electronics manufacturer into one of the world’s most powerful connected entertainment ecosystems? In this episode, we explore Sony’s 25-year strategic evolution—from its dominance in consumer electronics and the iconic Walkman era to becoming a global leader in gaming, music, film, and subscription-driven digital services..We unpack the company’s dramatic journey across four major divisions:The rise of PlayStation from hardware powerhouse to platform ecosystemThe reinvention of Sony Music in the streaming eraSony Pictures’ pivot to content partnerships and franchise...
2026-02-2621 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#22 Vertical Mobility Reimagined: The Story of Mitsubishi’s M-Use®DescriptionIn this episode, we explore Mitsubishi Electric’s M-Use® model, a bold shift from selling elevators to delivering elevator-as-a-service. Instead of owning the equipment, building owners pay for performance—guaranteed uptime, predictive maintenance, and long-term reliability. We unpack how Mitsubishi designed the model, why it resonates with Europe’s push toward circularity, and what makes M-Use® a standout example of outcome-based servitization. We also dive into the benefits for customers, the strategic advantages for Mitsubishi, and what this innovation reveals about the future of asset-heavy industries moving toward service-driven business models.Key Word...
2026-01-2711 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#23 Komatsu and the Rise of Smart Construction SolutionsDescriptionIn this episode, we explore how Komatsu reinvented itself from a world-class maker of heavy machinery into a global provider of Smart Construction solutions. Faced with labor shortages, low productivity, and rising safety demands, Komatsu made a bold bet on digital servitization—shifting its focus from selling machines to delivering smarter, safer, and more productive construction outcomes.The episode traces Komatsu’s journey from early telematics and machine automation to a fully integrated digital jobsite vision that connects drones, 3D design models, cloud platforms, AI analytics, and...
2026-01-2717 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#21 Robotic-as-a-Service — How ABB changes Industrial Automation GameDescriptionIn this episode, we explore how ABB is transforming industrial automation through its Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS)approach. Long known for selling advanced industrial robots, ABB is now shifting toward outcome-based, service-led automation, where customers pay for robotic capability, performance, and uptime—rather than owning complex hardware outright.We unpack how ABB’s RaaS model lowers barriers to automation for manufacturers facing labor shortages, volatile demand, and rising costs. By combining collaborative robots, cloud connectivity, AI-driven analytics, and flexible subscription models, ABB enables factories to deploy robotics faster, scal...
2026-01-2715 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#19 From Medical Devices to Digital Care — Philips HealthSuite and the Platform Shift in HealthcareDescriptionIn this episode, we explore how Philips reinvented itself from a world-leading medical device manufacturer into a digital health platform provider with the launch and evolution of Philips HealthSuite. Facing rising healthcare costs, chronic disease burdens, and fragmented care systems, Philips made a bold strategic move: connect devices, data, clinicians, and patients across the entire health continuum.The episode traces HealthSuite’s journey as an open, cloud-based platform enabling remote patient monitoring, population health management, telehealth, and AI-driven clinical insights. We discuss how Philips shifted from selling standalone machines to delivering outcome-oriented digital se...
2026-01-2715 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#18 Lumada Platform — Reinventing Hitachi Through DataDescriptionHitachi reinvented itself through Lumada, a digital platform that transformed a century-old industrial giant into a data-driven solutions leader. We explore how Lumada connects IoT, analytics, and AI to bridge the physical and digital worlds—powering smarter energy systems, rail networks, factories, and cities. The conversation highlights Lumada not just as a technology stack, but as a business transformation engine: reshaping Hitachi’s organization, enabling co-creation with customers and partners, and shifting the company toward recurring, outcome-based digital services. From cultural change and platform monetization to global expansion and measurable business impact, this episode show...
2026-01-2715 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#20 Battery as a Service — How NIO Is Reinventing Electric Vehicle OwnershipDescriptionIn this episode, we examine how NIO has redefined electric mobility through its pioneering Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model. Instead of selling cars with batteries built in, NIO separates the battery from the vehicle purchase—allowing customers to buy the car at a lower upfront price and subscribe to battery access, upgrades, and rapid swapping as a service.We explore how BaaS addresses some of the biggest barriers to EV adoption: high upfront costs, range anxiety, battery degradation, and fast-changing battery technology. With a nationwide network of automated battery swap stations, NIO enables drivers to “refu...
2026-01-2713 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#24 Digital Cameras, Analog Thinking: Kodak’s Service Ecosystem CollapseDescriptionEastman Kodak is often remembered as the company that “missed digital photography.” But that story is too simple.In this episode, we unpack Kodak’s collapse through the lens of service ecosystem strategy and servitization. Despite inventing the first digital camera and leading U.S. digital camera sales in the 2000s, Kodak failed to realign its business model with how value was actually shifting in the digital age. Rather than embracing platforms, social sharing, and services, Kodak doubled down on a print-centric ecosystem logic, using digital tools to protec...
2026-01-2717 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#25 Selling Outcomes, Not Machines: The Caterpillar StoryDescriptionFor most of its history, Caterpillar Inc. was defined by the machines it sold. But between 2010 and 2025, the company quietly reinvented itself—not as a hardware manufacturer, but as a digitally enabled service ecosystem.In this episode, we explore how Caterpillar transformed cyclical, asset-heavy equipment sales into stable, high-margin service revenues by connecting millions of machines, embedding analytics and AI into operations, and orchestrating a global dealer-led service network. From telematics and predictive maintenance to autonomous mining fleets, remote diagnostics, and AI-driven service recommendations, Caterpillar’s strategy shows how industrial firm...
2026-01-2718 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#26 Reinventing IBM: From Hardware Giant to Services and Software LeaderDescriptionFor much of the 20th century, IBM defined the computer industry through hardware—from mainframes to personal computers. But beginning in the mid-2000s, IBM made a series of deliberate, often painful strategic choices to reinvent itself for a very different future.In this episode, we trace IBM’s transformation from 2005 to 2025 as it exited commoditized hardware businesses and rebuilt itself around consulting, software, hybrid cloud, and artificial intelligence. We examine pivotal moments such as the sale of the PC business, the rise of IBM Global Services, the “Smarter Planet” vision, the bet on W...
2026-01-2718 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#27 From Networks to Recurring Value: Cisco’s Service-Led TransformationDescriptionCisco Systems is best known for building the infrastructure of the internet. But since 2010, Cisco has been quietly reinventing itself—from a hardware-driven networking giant into a company powered by services, software, and recurring revenue.In this episode, we unpack how Cisco turned its traditional support business into a strategic growth engine. We trace the evolution from classic maintenance services like SMARTnet to analytics-driven “smart services,” software subscriptions, customer success models, and ultimately networking-as-a-service under the Cisco+ initiative. Along the way, we examine how offerings such as Meraki, Webex, ThousandEyes, Cisco ONE, and su...
2026-01-2718 minThe Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#28 From Copiers to Services: Xerox’s Long Road to ServicesDescriptionFor decades, Xerox was synonymous with copiers and printers. But faced with digital disruption and declining print volumes, Xerox embarked on a long and often turbulent journey to reinvent itself as a services-led company. In this episode, we trace Xerox’s transformation from the mid-2000s to today.We examine the bold pivot into business process outsourcing through the landmark acquisition of ACS, the rapid rise of services to more than half of total revenue, and the hard lessons that followed—culminating in the 2017 spin-off of Conduent. We then explore Xerox’s post-s...
2026-01-2714 minThe Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#17 From Power Plants to Energy Solutions: E.ON’s Reinvention in Germany’s Energiewende (2010–2025)DescriptionE.ON was once a classic European utility with big power plants, wholesale trading, and mass-market energy supply. Then Germany’s Energiewende changed everything: renewables surged, wholesale prices fell, nuclear phase-out accelerated, and customers became “prosumers.”In this episode, we unpack how E.ON responded with one of the boldest restructurings in the sector: the 2014 strategy pivot, the 2016 Uniper spin-off, and the post-2019 reshaping after the innogy deal. We trace how E.ON moved from generation-heavy exposure to a model centered on regulated distribution networks, digital infrastructure, and customer solutions—spanning smart metering...
2026-01-2615 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#14 Territorial Servitization - When Regions Turn Industry into EcosystemsDescriptionIn this episode, we explore territorial servitization, a powerful concept that shifts the focus from individual firms to regions as engines of innovation and value creation. Rather than seeing servitization as a company-level strategy, territorial servitization shows how manufacturing firms and knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) co-evolve within a territory—jointly driving productivity, innovation, employment, and long-term regional resilience.Using the wind-to-energy industry as a central case, the episode traces how leading European regions transformed wind turbine manufacturing into globally competitive renewable energy ecosystems. We examine how local service capabilities—R&D, engineering, digital moni...
2026-01-2613 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#13 John Deere - Moving towards solution-as-a-serviceDescription In this episode, we explore how John Deere has transformed itself from a legendary manufacturer of farm equipment into a provider of solutions-as-a-service for modern agriculture. We unpack how connected machines, cloud platforms, AI, and subscription-based tools are redefining how value is created on the farm.The conversation traces John Deere’s shift toward smart, data-driven farming through platforms like connected telematics, digital farm management systems, and AI-powered innovations such as targeted spraying and autonomous operations. Rather than selling iron alone, Deere now delivers continuous value—helping farmers reduc...
2026-01-2616 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#16 From Turbines to Services – How Vestas Became a Global Energy Solutions ProviderDescriptionIn this episode, we dive into the strategic transformation of Vestas—once known purely as a wind turbine manufacturer—into a global leader in energy solutions and lifecycle services. We explore how, over the past decade, Vestas grew its service business into a €3.7B+ segment with a €36B+ backlog, offering predictive maintenance, multibrand servicing, lifetime extensions, and digital optimization across 150+ GW of turbines worldwide.You’ll learn how Vestas moved from selling hardware to delivering outcomes—positioning services not just as a support function, but as the company’s most stable, high-margin growth engine. This e...
2026-01-2614 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#15 Navigating Disruption: How TomTom Transformed from Hardware Devices to Data ServicesDescription:In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of TomTom—from dominating Europe’s consumer GPS market to becoming a global leader in location technology services. Facing the collapse of the portable navigation device (PND) market amid smartphone disruption and tech giants like Google, TomTom executed one of the most ambitious digital servitization pivots in the tech industry. We explore how the company shifted from a B2C hardware model to a B2B software and data platform through strategic acquisitions, service innovation, partnerships with Apple, Microsoft, and automakers, and the development of its grou...
2026-01-2615 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#57 Wecyclers: Turning Trash into Cash in LagosDescriptionWhat if cleaning up a city could also put money in people’s pockets?This episode explores the inspiring case of Wecyclers, a Lagos-based social enterprise that uses incentives to change behavior, create jobs, and build a circular economy in one of Africa’s largest megacities. Founded in 2012, Wecyclers was born out of Lagos’s dual crisis of unmanaged waste and urban poverty—and a simple but powerful idea: reward households for recycling.We trace how Wecyclers built a community-centered recycling system using low-cost cargo bikes, SMS and mobile technology, and a points...
2026-01-2413 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#52 Sehat Kahani: How Two Women Doctors Rewrote Pakistan’s Healthcare StoryDescriptionWhat happens when thousands of qualified women doctors are pushed out of the workforce—while millions of patients remain without access to care?In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Sehat Kahani, a pioneering digital health startup founded by Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram and Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga. Born out of the deeply rooted “doctor-bride” phenomenon in Pakistan, Sehat Kahani set out to solve two massive problems with one bold idea: reconnect home-based female doctors with patients in underserved communities using telemedicine.From humble beginnings as a spin-off from doctHE...
2026-01-2318 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#53 Honeysuckers of Bangalore: How Informal Innovation Filled an Urban Sanitation GapDescriptionWhen nearly 60% of a city isn’t connected to sewers, what happens to the waste?This episode examines the rise of Bangalore’s honeysuckers—informal vacuum truck operators who emerged to manage fecal sludge in a city where municipal sanitation systems failed to keep pace with rapid urban growth. Operating in regulatory grey zones, these small private entrepreneurs stepped in to provide a critical public health service: emptying septic tanks and pit latrines for millions of households.We explore how the honeysuckers program evolved as a bottom-up response to institutional neglect, functi...
2026-01-2305 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#54 Off-Grid Water in Haiti: How Decentralized Solutions Are Quenching a Nation’s ThirstDescriptionIn a country where safe drinking water remains out of reach for millions, innovation is flowing far beyond pipes and pumps.This episode explores how off-grid and decentralized water services are reshaping access to safe drinking water in Haiti. With limited public infrastructure and recurring political and economic crises, private enterprises, social innovators, and NGOs have stepped in to deliver clean water where centralized systems fall short.We examine the rise of solar-powered water kiosks, community-managed systems, and entrepreneurial water networks—focusing on pioneers like DloHaiti, which operates decentralized, solar-powered water kiosks th...
2026-01-2305 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#55 SwissFreshWater: Franchising Safe Drinking Water Across AfricaDescriptionWhat if access to safe drinking water could scale the same way small businesses do?In this episode, we explore the case of SwissFreshWater, a Switzerland-based social enterprise that delivers affordable, high-quality drinking water to underserved communities through a franchise-based kiosk model. Instead of relying solely on public utilities or aid-driven projects, SwissFreshWater empowers local entrepreneurs to operate neighborhood water kiosks under the Diam’O brand—turning clean water into a sustainable, community-owned service.We trace SwissFreshWater’s journey from early pilot projects in rural Senegal to a nationwide network of franch...
2026-01-2315 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#56 Naandi Foundation: Scaling Social Innovation from Classrooms to Coffee FarmsDescriptionHow does a nonprofit grow from delivering school meals to transforming entire food systems?This episode explores the remarkable journey of Naandi Foundation, one of India’s most influential social innovation organizations. Founded in 1998, Naandi set out to prove that poverty eradication could be tackled at scale through professional management, community participation, and cross-sector partnerships.We trace Naandi’s evolution from early public-private collaborations in education and nutrition to pioneering hybrid models that blend nonprofit purpose with market mechanisms. The episode dives deep into four flagship innovations:Safe drinking wate...
2026-01-2316 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#12 Student-Driven AI Futures — From Ideas to ImpactDescriptionIn this episode, we explore a diverse set of AI innovation use cases from adaptive workplace tools to strategic industry solutions and truly transformative AI applications. What makes these ideas unique is how they were created: through close collaboration with students participating in the course Digital Futures and Responsible Innovation. Students didn’t just imagine what AI can do - they critically examined what AI should do. Each use case reflects hands-on student work that combines technical creativity with business reflection, addressing real-world challenges such as cybersecurity awareness, healthcare triage, mental health support, misinformation, sm...
2026-01-2114 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#50 How Bühler Group has been reinventing milling for a better worldDescriptionIn this episode, we explore how Bühler Group, a 160-year-old Swiss engineering company, redefined what innovation looks like in the food and grain industry. From the heart of Switzerland to fast-growing markets in Asia and Africa, Bühler has tackled one of food’s toughest challenges: how to modernize staple food production without losing tradition, quality, or nutrition.We dive into Bühler’s groundbreaking milling innovations - most notably the Isigayo PesaMill, AlPesa systems—which succeeded where others failed by industrializing wholegrain flour while preserving the taste and functionality of traditional stone-mil...
2026-01-2015 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#51 Logy.AI: Bringing AI-Powered Oral Health Screening to EveryoneDescriptionIn this episode, we explore the journey of Logy.AI, a healthtech startup redefining how oral healthcare is accessed, screened, and delivered—especially in underserved communities.Founded in India, Logy.AI uses artificial intelligence and smartphone technology to turn everyday photos of the mouth into instant oral health screenings. Through WhatsApp chatbots, web apps, and API integrations, the platform enables people to check for cavities, gum disease, stains, calculus, and other oral conditions without visiting a clinic. What began as a response to the COVID-19 disruption of dental care has evolved into a...
2026-01-2017 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#41 ChotuKool and the Power of Frugal InnovationDescriptionWhat does refrigeration look like when designed not for luxury, but for real life at the base of the pyramid?In this episode, we explore ChotuKool, the radically affordable, portable refrigerator developed by Godrej & Boyce to serve millions of Indian households that had never owned a fridge. Created for rural and low-income consumers facing unreliable electricity, tight living spaces, and limited incomes, ChotuKool reimagined cooling from the ground up.We unpack how Godrej applied principles of frugal and disruptive innovation—using solid-state thermoelectric cooling, a lightweight top-opening design, ultra-low power co...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#42 W.A.T.A.: Turning Everyday People into Clean Water ChangemakersDescriptionIn this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Water Access To All (W.A.T.A.), a young nonprofit proving that solving the global water crisis doesn’t always require massive infrastructure—sometimes it starts with people, backpacks, and the right partnerships.Founded in 2024, W.A.T.A. focuses on delivering immediate access to safe drinking water through simple, durable household filtration systems in underserved communities around the world. From rural villages in Vietnam and Myanmar to Indigenous communities in Guatemala, W.A.T.A. works with local partners, youth leaders, and...
2026-01-1906 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#43 Spring Health: Delivering Safe Water, One Village at a TimeDescriptionsWhat happens when a cement company decides to tackle poverty, not just sell products? In this episode, we dive into the story of Patrimonio Hoy—an award-winning social innovation launched by CEMEX in Mexico that revolutionized how low-income families build their homes. Facing a housing deficit, financial exclusion, and the inefficiencies of informal construction, Patrimonio Hoy created a powerful model blending microfinance, group savings, technical guidance, and access to quality materials. Families who once spent years slowly adding rooms now build with speed, safety, and confidence.We’ll explore how the program evol...
2026-01-1906 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#44 Devergy: Rethinking Rural Power with Energy-as-a-ServiceDescriptionIn this episode, we explore how Devergy is reimagining rural electrification in East Africa through smart technology and an innovative Energy-as-a-Service model.Founded in Tanzania, Devergy set out to solve a persistent challenge: how to deliver affordable, reliable electricity to off-grid communities where traditional grid expansion is slow, costly, or uncertain. Instead of selling solar equipment, Devergy built village-level solar mini-grids and operates them like micro-utilities—handling generation, distribution, maintenance, and customer service on behalf of users.The episode dives into Devergy’s use of smart mete...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#45 M-KOPA: Pay-As-You-Go Power and the Future of Inclusive FinanceDescriptionIn this episode, we explore how M-KOPA transformed access to energy—and financial inclusion—for millions of low-income households across Africa.Founded in Kenya, M-KOPA pioneered a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model that allows customers to purchase solar home systems and other essential assets through small, flexible mobile payments. By combining clean energy technology with mobile money and data-driven credit scoring, M-KOPA unlocked access to products that were previously out of reach for households without formal bank accounts or credit histories.The episode traces M-KOPA’s evolution from solar lighting to a broader digita...
2026-01-1912 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#46 SOIL: Reinventing Sanitation Through Dignity, Design, and Circular SystemsDescriptionIn this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking sanitation work of SOIL (Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods), a nonprofit that is redefining what safe, dignified sanitation looks like in dense urban communities.Operating in Haiti, where traditional sewer systems are often impractical or nonexistent, SOIL pioneered a container-based sanitation model that provides households with clean, affordable toilets—paired with a reliable waste collection service. Instead of treating human waste as a problem to hide, SOIL treats it as a resource, safely transforming collected waste into compost that supports agriculture and environmental restoration....
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#47 Project Shakti: How Unilever Built a Rural Distribution Network by Empowering WomenDescriptionIn this episode, we explore Project Shakti, one of the most influential inclusive business initiatives ever launched by Unilever. What began in rural India in 2001 as an experiment in last-mile distribution has grown into a massive network of women micro-entrepreneurs—transforming both how products reach remote villages and how economic power is shared.Facing stagnation in urban markets and the challenge of reaching hundreds of thousands of underserved villages, Unilever partnered with women’s self-help groups to create a new model: train and support rural women—known as Shakti Ammas—to become local di...
2026-01-1915 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#48 Hippo Roller: A Simple Idea That "Rolled" Into a Water SolutionDescriptionIn this episode, we explore the story behind Hippo Roller, one of the most iconic examples of frugal innovation in global development. Born in rural South Africa, the Hippo Roller tackles a fundamental challenge faced by millions of people worldwide: the daily burden of collecting water.Instead of carrying heavy buckets on their heads, women and children can roll up to 90 liters of water at a time using a durable barrel-and-handle design that dramatically reduces physical strain and time spent fetching water. What appears to be a simple product turns out to...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#49 How Coca-Cola’s Micro-Distribution Centers were cracking the Last Mile in AfricaDescriptionIn this episode, we unpack how The Coca-Cola Company solved one of the toughest problems in emerging markets: reaching millions of small, informal retailers where trucks can’t go and infrastructure is limited.Born in Ethiopia in the late 1990s, Coca-Cola’s Micro-Distribution Center (MDC) model flipped traditional logistics on its head. Instead of relying on large-scale distributors, Coca-Cola empowered local entrepreneurs to run small, neighborhood-based hubs—using handcarts, bicycles, and motorbikes to deliver beverages directly to kiosks and corner shops. The result? Massive market penetration, faster restocking, and thousands of new micro...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#38 Cooking Without Smoke: How Eco Cookstoves Are Transforming Health, Homes, and the ClimateDescriptionFor nearly three billion people worldwide, cooking still means open fires or inefficient stoves—exposing families to toxic smoke, accelerating deforestation, and consuming hours of unpaid labor every day.In this episode, we explore the impact of Eco Cookstoves and the broader clean cooking movement, focusing on how affordable, fuel-efficient cookstoves are reshaping daily life in low-income and rural communities. Designed to use less fuel and vent smoke safely, eco cookstoves dramatically reduce indoor air pollution, lower household energy costs, and improve health outcomes—especially for women and children.We unpa...
2026-01-1917 min
Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#36 Mobisol and the Promise—and Limits—of Pay-As-You-Go SolarDescriptionWhat does it take to bring reliable electricity to rural communities that the grid may never reach?In this episode, we explore the rise, impact, and hard-earned lessons of Mobisol, a pioneering off-grid solar company that helped shape the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) energy model in East Africa. Founded in Germany and scaled across Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya, Mobisol provided solar home systems that enabled households and small businesses to replace kerosene with clean, reliable power—often for the first time.We examine Mobisol’s innovative rent-to-own financing model, its focus on high...
2026-01-1916 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#37 Esta Casa es Mía: How MIA Is Redefining Affordable Housing in MexicoDescriptionFor millions of low-income families, a safe and dignified home is the foundation for health, security, and opportunity—but traditional housing markets often leave them behind.In this episode, we explore the work of MIA (Mejoramiento Integral Asistido), a Mexican social enterprise that has transformed how affordable housing is built and financed for rural and peri-urban communities. Founded in 2009, MIA pioneered an assisted self-construction model that empowers families to build their own homes with technical support, standardized designs, and access to blended financing.We unpack how MIA combines government housing su...
2026-01-1918 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#40 How Husk Power Is Electrifying Rural CommunitiesDescriptionWhat if agricultural waste could power entire villages—and unlock economic opportunity for millions?In this episode, we explore the journey of Husk Power Systems, a pioneering renewable energy company that began by turning rice husks into electricity for off-grid villages in India and evolved into a global leader in solar hybrid mini-grids. Founded in Bihar, one of India’s most energy-poor regions, Husk Power challenged the assumption that rural electrification must wait for the central grid.We unpack how Husk Power built and scaled biomass-based mini-grids, navigated fuel logistics and...
2026-01-1918 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#39 How LifeStraw Turned Clean Water into a Global Social InnovationDescriptionClean drinking water should be a basic human right—yet millions of people still rely on unsafe sources every day.In this episode, we explore the story of LifeStraw, the social enterprise behind one of the world’s most recognizable water filtration solutions. Originally developed for emergency response and humanitarian crises, LifeStraw evolved into a globally scaled innovation that delivers safe drinking water to households, schools, and communities across low-income and disaster-prone regions.We unpack how LifeStraw’s simple yet powerful filtration technology removes bacteria and parasites without electricity or chemic...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#35 How Azuri Technologies Is Bringing Clean Energy to Off-Grid AfricaDescriptionMore than 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still live without access to electricity—but one company is proving that clean energy can be affordable, scalable, and inclusive.In this episode, we explore the story of Azuri Technologies, a pioneer in pay-as-you-go solar solutions that enable low-income, off-grid households to access reliable electricity without the burden of upfront costs. By combining solar innovation, mobile payments, and smart technology, Azuri allows families to replace kerosene lamps with clean lighting, charge mobile phones, and gradually upgrade to appliances like radios and televisions.We un...
2026-01-1906 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#34 From Motorbikes to a Super App: How GoJek Built an Inclusive Digital EconomyDescriptionWhat began as a small call-center coordinating motorcycle taxis in Jakarta has grown into one of Southeast Asia’s most influential technology platforms.In this episode, we explore the rise of GoJek and how it evolved into a socially inclusive “super app” powering transportation, food delivery, payments, and financial access for millions. Designed for a largely unbanked population, GoJek’s platform connected informal workers—drivers, couriers, and micro-entrepreneurs—to new income opportunities through mobile technology.We examine GoJek’s founding mission to empower the informal economy, the strategic choices behind...
2026-01-1914 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#33 How Sanergy Is Redefining Urban Sanitation in AfricaDescriptionIn the crowded informal settlements of Nairobi, where traditional sewer systems fail and sanitation is often unsafe, Sanergy set out to prove that sanitation can be both dignified and economically viable.This episode explores how Sanergy built an end-to-end sanitation solution—starting with franchised Fresh Life toilets operated by local entrepreneurs, and extending all the way to converting human waste into valuable products like organic fertilizer, insect-based animal feed, and renewable fuel. By treating waste as a resource rather than a liability, Sanergy created a circular economy model that improves public health, ge...
2026-01-1916 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#32 When Profit Isn’t the Point: Procter & Gamble's Pivot to Purpose”DescriptionWhat happens when a global consumer goods company applies its R&D muscle to one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian challenges?In this episode, we explore how Procter & Gamble transformed a failed commercial product into one of the most impactful corporate social innovation programs in the world: the Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) Program.From the invention of a 4-gram water purification sachet to partnerships with NGOs, governments, and disaster-relief agencies, P&G’s journey shows how business innovation, when paired with purpose, can save lives at scale. We unpack...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#31 Toyola and the Clean Cooking Revolution: Saving Fuel, Health, and ForestsDescriptionFor millions of households across sub-Saharan Africa, cooking is still done with inefficient charcoal or wood stoves—driving deforestation, indoor air pollution, and preventable health risks for women and children. In this episode, we explore how Toyola Energy Limited set out to change that reality through local innovation and social entrepreneurship.Founded in Ghana, Toyola designs and manufactures fuel-efficient charcoal cookstoves tailored for low-income households. By combining appropriate technology with creative financing—most famously its “money box” savings scheme—Toyola made clean cooking affordable for families living at the Base o...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#29 Safe Water, One Village at a Time: The WaterHealth ModelDescriptionBillions of people still lack reliable access to safe drinking water—especially in rural villages and peri-urban settlements where centralized infrastructure has failed to reach. In this episode, we explore how WaterHealth International set out to close that gap using a decentralized, market-based approach.Founded as a mission-driven social enterprise, WaterHealth pioneered community-level water treatment centers that deliver WHO-quality drinking water to thousands of households at a time. Instead of waiting for pipes and large utilities, WaterHealth installs small-scale purification plants directly inside communities, charging affordable user fees to keep operations sustainable....
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#30 Bankers to the Poor, Online: Inside Kiva’s Digital Lending ModelDescriptionMore than a billion people worldwide remain excluded from formal financial systems—unable to access credit, savings, or basic banking services. In this episode, we explore how Kiva set out to tackle this challenge by harnessing the power of the internet and everyday lenders.Founded in 2005, Kiva pioneered peer-to-peer micro-lending, allowing anyone to lend as little as $25 to entrepreneurs around the world. By connecting individual lenders with borrowers through local partners, Kiva created a new model of digital financial inclusion—one that blends technology, storytelling, and trust to mobilize capital at scale.
2026-01-1904 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#28 How Grameen and Danone Took on Child MalnutritionDescriptionWhat happens when a global food giant partners with a Nobel Prize–winning economist to fight child malnutrition? In this episode, we unpack the Grameen Danone case, a pioneering social business launched in Bangladesh by Muhammad Yunus and Danone. Designed as a non-dividend, non-loss enterprise, Grameen Danone Foods Limited set out to address widespread child malnutrition through an affordable, fortified yogurt known as Shokti+.We explore how this bold venture blended business discipline with social purpose—from sourcing milk from local farmers and empowering rural women as door-to-door distributors, to navigating razor-thin marg...
2026-01-1915 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#26 Hydrologic: Scaling Clean Water in Rural Cambodia Through Aspirational DesignDescriptionThis episode details the rise of Hydrologic, a Cambodian social enterprise that transitioned from a nonprofit project into a market-driven leader in rural water access. To combat widespread waterborne illness and the environmental toll of boiling water with wood, the company manufactures and distributes ceramic water purifiers. Their strategy combines local production, aspirational branding, and direct village sales supported by microfinance to make clean water affordable for low-income families. The sources highlight how Hydrologic achieved financial sustainability by diversifying revenue through carbon credits and institutional partnerships. Beyond health improvements, the initiative has reduced deforestation...
2026-01-1913 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#27 Unilever and the Quest for Safe Water: The Pureit Innovation StoryDescriptionAccess to safe drinking water remains one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges. In this episode, we examine how Unilever attempted to tackle this crisis through Pureit, a low-cost household water purifier designed for low-income and underserved communities.Originally developed in India, Pureit was engineered to deliver water “as safe as boiled water” without electricity, plumbing, or complex maintenance. We explore how Unilever combined product innovation, behavior-change marketing, and a razor-and-blades business model to make clean water accessible to millions—while still operating as a for-profit venture.The epis...
2026-01-1904 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#25 Bboxx: Powering Progress Through Next-Generation Distributed UtilitiesDescriptionThis episode examines the evolution of Bboxx, a technology-driven enterprise dedicated to alleviating energy poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa and Pakistan. By leveraging solar home systems and an innovative pay-as-you-go (PAYG) financing model, the company provides affordable electricity to underserved populations living outside traditional power grids. Central to its operations is Bboxx Pulse®, a digital platform that utilizes IoT data to monitor systems remotely and manage customer payments effectively. Over time, the firm has transitioned into a "super platform" by diversifying its offerings to include clean cooking solutions, smartphones, and financial services. The sources highlight h...
2026-01-1915 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#24 Jayashree Industries - Decentralized Innovation for Menstrual HygieneDescriptionIn rural India, millions of women lacked access to affordable sanitary pads due to cost and cultural stigma, forcing them to use unsafe materials like rags and ash. This episode tells the inspiring story of how social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham set out to solve this problem by inventing a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine. Through his initiative Jayashree Industries, he introduced a women-led microenterprise model: distributing these mini pad factories to self-help groups and local women entrepreneurs, who produce and sell hygienic pads in their communities.We explore the profound impact of this grassroots...
2026-01-1912 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#20 The KickStart Story: Irrigation, Innovation, and IncomeDescriptionHow do you help farmers grow their way out of poverty? In this episode, we dive into the story of KickStart International, a nonprofit social enterprise transforming the lives of smallholder farmers across Africa with a simple but powerful idea: sell affordable irrigation pumps, not give them away. With their iconic “MoneyMaker” pumps, KickStart enables farmers to irrigate year-round, increase yields, and multiply their income—sometimes by 300% or more.We explore how KickStart scaled from a single invention to a systems-level intervention, addressing everything from financing and distribution to training and maintenance. Throug...
2026-01-1915 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#21 Waste Concern: Turning Urban Waste into ResourceDescriptionWhat if city garbage could feed farms, clean neighborhoods, and create jobs—all at once? This episode tells the story of Waste Concern, a pioneering social enterprise based in Bangladesh that is redefining urban waste management in South Asia. In cities like Dhaka, where up to 80% of municipal solid waste is organic and poorly managed, Waste Concern developed a decentralized composting model that converts household food waste into high-quality fertilizer for farmers. The model not only helps divert tons of waste from landfills but also reduces methane emissions, improves public health, and restores degraded so...
2026-01-1915 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#22 Manila Water (Tubig Para sa Barangay): A Model for Inclusive Water ServiceDescriptionThis episode details the Tubig Para sa Barangay (TPSB) program, an initiative by Manila Water to provide clean, affordable water to low-income and informal settlements in Metro Manila’s East Zone. Launched in 1998 following the privatization of water services, the program addressed a crisis where the urban poor paid exorbitant prices for unsafe water while the utility suffered from massive water losses due to illegal connections. By implementing innovative engineering, such as clustered meters, and offering subsidized connection fees, the program successfully integrated nearly two million marginalized residents into the formal network. Central to it...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#23 Farmerline: Cultivating Prosperity through African Agri-Tech InnovationDescriptionAfrica’s 33 million smallholder farms produce the majority of the continent’s food, yet their yields often fall below potential due to limited access to financing, quality inputs, information, and markets. This episode spotlights Farmerline, a Ghanaian agritech social enterprise helping farmers overcome these challenges and build wealth. Discover Farmerline’s innovations – from its Mergdata mobile platform that delivers real-time weather alerts and farming tips as voice messages in local languages, to a last-mile network supplying high-quality seeds, fertilizer, and training with flexible “pay-as-you-harvest” financing so farmers can afford what they need.By bridging cri...
2026-01-1913 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#19 Beyond Charity: BRAC’s Blueprint for Ending PovertyDescriptionHow did one of the world’s poorest countries become a hub of development innovation? In this episode, we explore the extraordinary story of BRAC—formerly the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee—founded in 1972 and now the largest NGO in the world. From post-war relief work to nationwide programs in education, health, microfinance, and social enterprise, BRAC has transformed what it means to fight poverty at scale. Its secret? Combining systems thinking with grassroots trust, and running NGOs with the discipline of businesses.We trace BRAC’s evolution across five decades—from door-to-door oral rehyd...
2026-01-1914 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#18 Grameen Bank: Reinventing Credit for the Rural PoorDescriptionWhat if the world’s poorest women were seen not as charity cases, but as reliable entrepreneurs? In this episode, we tell the story of Grameen Bank—the revolutionary institution that reimagined credit for the rural poor in Bangladesh. Founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus in the 1970s, Grameen Bank pioneered microloans without collateral, using peer groups and trust instead of legal contracts. The result? Millions of women lifted themselves from poverty by launching tiny businesses with just a few dollars.We’ll explore how Grameen’s group lending model scaled from one...
2026-01-1915 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#17 Mobility, Motors & Markets: The MAX.ng StoryDescriptionCan electric motorcycles drive economic inclusion in Africa? In this episode, we ride along with MAX.ng—Nigeria’s trailblazing mobility startup that’s redefining transportation, employment, and energy access across West Africa. Founded by two MIT graduates, MAX.ng began as a delivery service and evolved into a tech-driven platform offering ride-hailing, vehicle financing, and now a bold push into electric mobility. Through smart design and financial innovation, MAX helps motorcycle taxi drivers become vehicle owners, boosting their income and dignity.We’ll explore how MAX.ng scales clean energy infrastructure—like battery-sw...
2026-01-1912 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#16 Sight for All: The Aravind Eye Care RevolutionDescriptionImagine a healthcare system that delivers world-class surgery to the poorest patients—at no cost—while remaining financially self-sufficient. In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary story of Aravind Eye Care System, a pioneering institution in India that has reimagined how healthcare can be delivered at scale. Founded by Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy, Aravind has performed millions of cataract surgeries using a model inspired as much by compassion as by operational precision. With 70% of its patients receiving free or subsidized care, Aravind combines efficiency, innovation, and community outreach to tackle preventable blindness in one of t...
2026-01-1915 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#10 How Grameen America Scaled Microfinance in the U.S.DescriptionIn this episode, we explore how Grameen America successfully adapted the global microfinance model to the United States—proving that poverty, financial exclusion, and entrepreneurial potential exist even in advanced economies. Founded during the 2008 financial crisis, Grameen America set out to empower low-income women with something many had never been offered before: trust-based access to capital.We unpack Grameen America’s distinctive group-lending model, where social trust replaces collateral, and weekly peer meetings build accountability, confidence, and community. The episode traces how tiny loans—often just a few...
2026-01-1914 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#14 How Peek Vision Is Transforming Eye CareDescriptionWhat if a smartphone could help solve one of the world’s most overlooked health problems—preventable blindness? In this episode, we explore the story of Peek Vision, a social enterprise using mobile technology and data intelligence to bring quality eye care to the most remote and underserved communities.Join us as we unpack how Peek’s innovative platform—combining smartphone-based vision testing, data tracking, and community health integration—is helping governments and NGOs deliver eye health at scale. From school screenings in Botswana to national programs in Pakistan and Ethiopia, Peek is proving...
2026-01-1913 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#12 Drones, Data & Deliveries: Zipline’s Skybound ImpactDescriptionHow can a drone save a life? In this episode, we uncover the remarkable story of Zipline, a startup that began in California and took flight across the skies of Africa to revolutionize medical logistics. What started as a bold idea to use drones for delivering blood in Rwanda has grown into the world’s largest autonomous delivery network—serving over 49 million people in countries like Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya.We follow Zipline’s journey from its early pilots to nation-scale operations, highlighting how technology, systems thinking, and social innovation came togeth...
2026-01-1915 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#13 Worms, Waste & Wealth: Raj Organik’s Green RevolutionDescriptionWhat if worms could power a green revolution? In this episode, we dive into the inspiring story of Raj Organik, an Indonesian social enterprise that turns organic waste into opportunity. Founder Mr. Adam built a member-based network of thousands of micro-entrepreneurs who raise worms to produce organic fertilizer and high-protein feed for aquaculture. The result? A circular economy model that reduces waste, restores soil health, and creates income for local communities. Tune in to explore how Raj Organik is rewriting the rules of agriculture and proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in...
2026-01-1913 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#11 Pilots Never Fail—but Also Never ScaleDescriptionWhy do so many promising water and sanitation pilots succeed in small settings yet fail to reach millions? In this episode, we unpack the paradox that “pilots never fail—but also never scale,” drawing on research across 19 organizations working in low-income countries.We explore how early success is built on tightly aligned business model dimensions—value creation, customer engagement, value capture, and customer identification—and why these alignments often break apart during scaling. The episode highlights three dynamic consistencies essential for overcoming the scale barrier: externalization & internalization, novel customization, and organizational ambidexterity.This conversati...
2026-01-1905 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#15 Patrimonio Hoy - Housing Innovation for the PoorDescriptionWhat happens when a cement company decides to tackle poverty, not just sell products? In this episode, we dive into the story of Patrimonio Hoy—an award-winning social innovation launched by CEMEX in Mexico that revolutionized how low-income families build their homes. Facing a housing deficit, financial exclusion, and the inefficiencies of informal construction, Patrimonio Hoy created a powerful model blending microfinance, group savings, technical guidance, and access to quality materials. Families who once spent years slowly adding rooms now build with speed, safety, and confidence.We’ll explore how the program evolved from...
2026-01-1913 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#11 Strategizing with Generative AI in the era of digital servitizationDescriptionIn this episode, we explore how Generative AI (GenAI) is transforming strategic work in the era of digital servitization, where companies shift from selling products to delivering continuous, outcome-based services. We start with the bright side: how GenAI dramatically boosts strategic speed, scale, and creativity—from rapid scenario planning and market analysis to richer ideation, sharper customer insights, and more data-driven decision-making. Used well, GenAI acts as a powerful strategic co-pilot, helping leaders explore more options, surface hidden patterns, and communicate strategy more clearly than ever before.Bu...
2026-01-1416 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#10 Visa as a Service powered by AIDescription:In this episode, we unpack Visa’s strategic evolution from a card-centric network into a $40+ billion AI-enabled global payments platform. We explore how Visa transformed its core infrastructure into Visa as a Service (VaaS)—a modular, API-first architecture now delivering embedded solutions across payments, identity, fraud prevention, analytics, and open banking.The conversation dives into how Visa moved from reactive AI—primarily used to support card transactions—to positioning artificial intelligence as the engine of its business. Today, AI drives real-time decisioning, predictive risk scoring, and hyper-personalized insights, turning Visa’s data and...
2026-01-1413 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#09 The Mumbai Dabbawalas: Masters of PrecisionDescription:This episode explores the extraordinary world of Mumbai’s Dabbawalas—an iconic, century-old delivery network renowned for its near-perfect accuracy. We unpack how a semi-literate workforce built one of the world’s most reliable logistics systems using bicycles, trains, and an ingenious coding system. Listeners will learn how strong community roots, cooperative ownership, and disciplined processes shaped their success, and how the Dabbawalas are now adapting to the pressures of the gig economy, shifting work patterns, and digital transformation.Keywords: Logistics, Six Sigma, Community, Innovation, Gig Economy, Trust
2026-01-1410 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#08 Clarity for All: How DotGlasses Makes Vision AffordableDescription:In this episode, we explore how DotGlasses is transforming access to vision care in some of the world’s poorest communities. With a simple, low-cost eyeglass kit and a powerful idea—train local people to test eyesight and deliver glasses on the spot—DotGlasses is proving that you don’t need a clinic or an optometrist to help someone see clearly. We unpack how their smart design, innovative business model, and dignity-first approach are reshaping what it means to build health access from the ground up.Key Words: Vision Access Innovati...
2026-01-1412 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#08 When Washing Became a Service: Lessons from Electrolux’s Pay-Per-Wash ExperimentDescriptionIn this episode, we unpack Electrolux’s pioneering—and often overlooked—pay-per-wash pilot, launched in Sweden more than 20 years before “as-a-service” models went mainstream. Electrolux tested a radical idea: households would no longer buy washing machines, but pay only for the function—each wash cycle. We explore why the model emerged, how it worked technically and commercially, why adoption was modest, and what valuable lessons it revealed about customer behavior, sustainability, and cultural readiness for service-based consumption.This story offers a rare glimpse into an innovation that was ahead of its time—and what it tells...
2026-01-0810 min
The Digital Servitization Exchange Podcast#09 Subscribing to GrowDescriptionWhy do some hardware subscription models scale successfully—while others stall or disappear? In this episode, we unpack the article and explore what it really takes to build and grow subscriptions around physical products.Drawing on cross-industry case studies from appliances, fitness, electronics, and mobility, we discuss why hardware subscriptions follow very different growth logics than digital ones. The conversation introduces three distinct paths to growth—service-centric, experience-centric, and platform-centric—and shows how each requires specific capabilities across experimentation, scaling, optimization, and maturity.Listeners will gain a clear framework for unders...
2026-01-0814 minMission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized#06 Smart Farming, Shared Tractors: The Hello Tractor StoryDescription:In this episode, we dig into how Hello Tractor is revolutionizing farming for millions of smallholder farmers across Africa. Often described as the “Uber for Tractors,” Hello Tractor uses mobile technology, booking agents, and IoT devices to match idle tractors with farmers who need them most. But it’s more than just tech—it's about trust, jobs, and community-powered solutions. We unpack how the platform helps farmers increase yields, enables rural entrepreneurs to run tractor businesses, and reveals what it takes to build a digital marketplace where connectivity is low but potential is high....
2025-12-1610 min