Economic Development Projects

What actually increases economic mobility in distressed neighborhoods? New research from Opportunity Insights on the $17B HOPE VI program provides a clear answer: integration matters more than infrastructure. Revitalization significantly improved long-term outcomes for children—higher earnings, more college attendance, lower incarceration. Adults saw little income change. The difference? Social exposure. Neighborhoods that connected low-income children to broader, more economically diverse networks produced lasting gains. Projects located in deeply isolated areas showed little impact—even with new buildings. That distinction is critical. For city leaders and housing practitioners, the implications are practical: ➡️ Mixed-income housing works best when adjacent to stronger neighborhoods. ➡️ Zoning reform is foundational—high-opportunity areas must allow housing growth. ➡️ Transit (especially flexible bus systems) expands daily economic access. ➡️ Early childhood investment multiplies long-term returns. ➡️ Housing programs are most effective when paired with social support and network-building. Perhaps most importantly: integration can generate large gains for low-income children without reducing outcomes for higher-income peers. Revitalization is not just about physical renewal. It is about expanding access to opportunity networks. For cities facing fiscal strain, this is not only a social equity strategy—it is a long-term economic growth strategy. The takeaway is straightforward: If we want to improve mobility, we must reduce isolation. The Brookings Institution had an excellent panel on this. If anyone wants to watch, ask in the comments. For those working on the issue, how are you adapting your programs to incorporate these findings? #relationships #community #neighborhood #equity #inequality Purpose Built Communities Placemaking Education Cormac Russell Frances Kraft Vanessa Elias Usha Srinivasan Jennifer Prophete Kara Revel Jarzynski Kevin Ervin Kelley, AIA Lory Warren Noah Baskett Matt Abrams Anna Scott Ethan Kent John B. Carol Naughton Sarah Strimmenos Ben Lewis Tim Tompkins Aaron Kuecker Aaron Hurst Tim Soerens Sam Pressler Tracy Hadden Loh David Erickson Robert Steuteville Shawn Duncan Mollie Johnson Lenore Skenazy Katie Delp Carol Naughton

₹77,080 Crores allocated by the Government of India for startups and manufacturing in 2025. Yet most founders are still chasing VC money. I work with startups daily, and it surprises me how many don't even know these schemes exist. Here's what's available right now The Big Picture: → Deep Tech & Startup Fund: ₹30,000 Cr → MSME Budget Outlay: ₹23,168 Cr → Startup India Fund of Funds: ₹10,000 Cr → PLI Electronics & IT: ₹9,000 Cr → PLI Auto Components: ₹2,819 Cr → PLI Textiles: ₹1,148 Cr → Startup India Seed Fund: ₹945 Cr This is just the major allocations - there's more buried in smaller schemes. Let me break down what you can actually access based on your stage [1] For Early Stage Startups: 👉🏼 Startup India Seed Fund: Up to ₹50L per startup 👉🏼 SAMRIDH Scheme: Up to ₹40L grants 👉🏼 Atal Innovation Mission: Up to ₹15L for prototypes Most founders think these are too small. But remember, this is non-dilutive capital that can get you to revenue stage. [2] For Revenue Stage Companies: 👉🏼 CGTMSE: Up to ₹2 Cr collateral-free loans 👉🏼 Stand-Up India: ₹10L to ₹1 Cr for SC/ST/Women entrepreneurs 👉🏼 Multiplier Grants: Up to ₹10 Cr for R&D projects This is where it gets interesting. Revenue-stage companies have the best shot at accessing larger amounts. [3] For Manufacturing: 👉🏼 PLI schemes across 14+ sectors 👉🏼 Significant incentives for domestic production 👉🏼 Focus on electronics, auto, textiles If you're in manufacturing, you're literally sitting on a goldmine of incentives. The challenge? Most founders don't know how to navigate the application process. Here's where to start: - Startup India Portal [https://lnkd.in/gBdAH52D] - myScheme Portal [myscheme.gov.in] - SIDBI Portal [sidbi.in] - AIM Portal [aim.gov.in] - MeitY Startup Hub [msh.meity.gov.in] What you actually need: ✓ DPIIT registration for startups ✓ Proper documentation ✓ Clear business plan ✓ Compliance records ✓ Incubator partnerships (for some schemes) I've seen founders spend months preparing pitch decks for VCs, but won't spend a week getting their documentation ready for government schemes. The reality is Government funding is often cheaper, comes with less dilution, and has better terms than VC money. But it requires patience and proper documentation. #startupfunding #manufacturing #debtfunding

Sharing my piece from today's cover page of the Chicago Tribune Opinion section about a vision for the future of urban revitalization based on my experience from public service in Chicago. I address the widely-discussed decline of traditional downtowns post-pandemic as well as neighborhood disinvestment and provide three streets in Chicago that offer hopeful case studies for the future of cities: - South Cottage Grove Ave: The Discover customer care center employing 1,000+ in an abandoned big box retail store that is now generating significant economic activity in the neighborhood. The power of Corporate America bringing jobs to a disinvested neighborhood is a lesson I hope others will learn from and that can be repeated widely across Chicago and other cities to decrease the unemployment rates of disinvested neighborhoods. - LaSalle Street: One of the largest office-to-residential conversion projects in the country is taking place which will convert 1.6 million square feet of unused office space into a mix of apartments, restaurants, shops and workspace...over 1,000 new residential units of which 300 will be affordable. - State Street: Leaning into the experience economy, Sundays on State (along with festivals such as Suenos, Lolla, NASCAR) show the power of transforming public spaces into new amenities for residents and visitors alike. As I mention in the article: "What excites me is this: Each project made real progress, strengthening the forces that attract and retain people in urban areas. These initiatives created jobs, added housing and fostered connections when they were needed most. They were made possible through collaboration among city leaders, communities and private companies, which focused on welcoming more people to share in Chicago’s prosperity and potential. I’m excited that the spirit behind these projects echoes globally. You will find inspiration and opportunity on every block, in every neighborhood, in every city. It’s powered by the same energy that, throughout history, has spurred us to build ports and rail yards that helped us trade goods, roadways that connected our neighborhoods and skyscrapers that raised our sights and sense of possibility. Today, that energy continues to remake our cities in an image of today’s world — more dynamic, more interconnected, more inclusive. So ignore the clickbait. The story of cities today isn’t one of demise. It’s about rebirth." https://lnkd.in/gXyiixSk

Our new report, State Transformation in Brazil: Designing mission-oriented public procurement, state-owned enterprises and digital public infrastructure to advance sustainable and inclusive growth, explores how key government tools and institutions could be designed to better support a whole-of-government, cross-sectoral and mission-oriented approach to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in Brazil.     This report – which I authored with David Eaves, Sarah Doyle, Giulia Lanzuolo, Eduardo Spanó, Giovanni Tagliani, and Fernando Amorim Teixeira – is based on a partnership between the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) and Brazil’s Ministério da Gestão e da Inovação em Serviços Públicos (Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services - MGI), supported by Open Society Foundations (OSF), which began in 2023. The Government of Brazil has set in motion a potentially transformative economic agenda through its mission-oriented industrial strategy, ecological transformation plan and other initiatives. But to realize this potential, an equally ambitious agenda of state transformation is needed. This report recommends changes to the design and governance of public procurement, state-owned enterprises, and digital public infrastructure.    While focused on Brazil, insights from this report are relevant globally.     Read the report ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gixSkYcg   Related work includes:   - Innovation-driven inclusive and sustainable growth: challenges and opportunities for Brazil https://lnkd.in/gJXhmSJc - Leveraging procurement to advance Brazil’s economic transformation agenda https://lnkd.in/epCAZrdf - Leveraging digital public infrastructures for the common good https://lnkd.in/eeu7vJMA - A mission-oriented framework for the coordination of State-Owned Enterprises in Brazil https://lnkd.in/e4VUAAYH - Mission-oriented industrial strategy: global insights https://lnkd.in/eHDNeiNu - Challenges and opportunities for inclusive and sustainable innovation-led growth in Brazil https://lnkd.in/gssiQ2YU

For too long, Britain’s strengths have been undervalued. We’re home to some of the world’s top universities, the third-trillion dollar tech sector, and home to some of the world’s leading start-ups. If we want stronger, long-term economic growth, we need to back talent and those who are turning ideas into jobs, exports, and global success stories.  That’s why we’ve set out a clear plan to support entrepreneurs and high-growth firms. First, the British Business Bank will invest £5 billion in scaling UK companies, crowding in private capital and supporting firms through the high-risk “Valley of Death” stage so more businesses can grow, hire, and export from the UK. Second, Innovate UK’s new £130 million Growth Catalyst will provide grants and hands-on support to cutting-edge science and technology companies. A previous version of this programme turned £156 million of public backing into £1.66 billion of follow-on investment, a tenfold return that shows the power of targeted support. We’re also boosting UK Research and Innovation with a £7 billion funding package to help more promising firms bring breakthroughs to market.  And through targeted scale-up programmes, we’re ensuring high-growth companies can access the capital they need without feeling they have to leave the UK. Finally, by doubling eligibility for key schemes like the Enterprise Management Incentive and raising investment limits under the Enterprise Investment Scheme, the first time in 15 years, we’re making it easier for founders to attract talent and investment, and to build globally competitive businesses here at home. Yesterday I met entrepreneurs at Number 10 to discuss how these changes will help more UK companies succeed, and how we're working to grow our economy for the future.

🚀 Maharashtra just raised the bar and rolled out a first-of-its-kind GCC #Policy 2025, designed to accelerate high-value global operations and position Maharashtra as the most competitive hub for technology, R&D, analytics, and enterprise innovation. 🌐 What Maharashtra Is Aiming For * 400 new GCCs by 2030 * 4 lakh high-skill jobs across tech, finance, design, engineering & AI * ₹50,600 crore in global investments * Strong push for Tier-2 expansion across Nagpur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 🏢 Who’s Eligible? Open to: > Registered companies, LLPs, JVs, and trusts setting up GCCs Centres delivering global-facing work: > Tech development, R&D, AI, cybersecurity, analytics, design, finance, product engineering, and business operations Not eligible: x Pure BPOs, call centres, sales/marketing teams, or local servicing units Zones: Zone I: Mumbai & Pune Metros Zone II: All other cities (with higher incentives to boost regional growth) 💰 High-Value Incentives Designed for GCC Scale-Up 1️⃣ Capital Subsidy 20% of eligible fixed capital investment Benefits up to: ₹10 Cr (Small) → ₹100 Cr (Mega/Ultra) 2️⃣ Rental Assistance Up to 5 years 10% support in Zone I, 20% in Zone II Eligibility capped at ₹1–4 Cr depending on GCC size 3️⃣ Payroll Subsidy For employees earning > ₹1 lakh/month 40% subsidy in Zone I, 50% in Zone II Up to 100 employees, capped at ₹50,000 per month +10% diversity bonus for centres with ≥50% women or PwD talent 4️⃣ R&D Incentives Mandatory 2% of FCI allocated to R&D 25% reimbursement of eligible spend (up to ₹2 Cr) +10% for collaboration with Maharashtra universities/research institutes 5️⃣ Internship & Talent Support Under CM Yuva Prashikshan Yojana ₹10,000/month per intern (up to 100 interns) ⚙️ Non-Fiscal Enablers That Truly Move the Needle 1. Industry status for GCCs → Operate 24×7×365 2. Priority land allotment — 10% plots reserved for GCC Parks 3. Plug-and-play workspaces via PPP 4. Single-window operations through MAITRI GCC Facilitation Cell 5. Guaranteed 24×7 power & water, plus green energy access 6. Incentives for LEED/IGBC buildings & carbon-neutral practices 🔧 Governance & Funding Total allocation: ₹11,702 crore Deployment via MIDC & MAITRI, with periodic audits for transparency 📌 Why This Matters This policy positions Maharashtra as a future-ready global hub, combining strong fiscal sops with infrastructure readiness, governance clarity, and a decisive push for innovation and inclusion. If you’re advising, expanding, or leading GCC transformations — this could be one of the most consequential frameworks of the decade. 💬 If you have any questions or you want to understand impact for your organization, drop a comment. 🔁 Repost to help more leaders navigate this game-changing policy and avail the benefits. #GCC #GCCPROS #Maharashtra

Return on Sustainability Investment 🌎 Businesses increasingly recognize the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. However, quantifying the financial impact of these sustainability efforts remains a challenge. The Center for Sustainable Business at NYU Stern has introduced the Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSI) methodology to address this issue, providing a clear linkage between sustainability strategies and financial performance. ROSI is designed to integrate sustainability into the core business strategy, enhancing decision-making and accounting processes. It helps companies measure the full spectrum of costs and benefits associated with their sustainability efforts, including intangible assets, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of their impact on financial performance. For corporate management, the adoption of ROSI leads to enhanced business performance across social, environmental, and financial dimensions. It encourages embedding sustainability into everyday business operations and strategic planning, leading to improved operational efficiencies and competitive advantage. Investors benefit from the ROSI methodology by gaining a deeper understanding of ESG data and its implications for financial valuation. It aids in identifying where relative value exists in corporate strategies and investments, enhancing the integration of sustainability considerations into investment decisions. The framework not only supports better stakeholder engagement and media relations but also drives revenue growth and profitability through informed, sustainable practices. Companies that implement ROSI are positioned to achieve higher corporate valuations and contribute positively to societal impact. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange #climateaction #investment

Exciting news for anyone who sends or receives money internationally! The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has joined forces with Project Nexus, linking UPI with 4 ASEAN countries. The Bank for International Settlements – BIS and partners yesterday announced that they have completed the comprehensive blueprint for phase three of Project Nexus. India is joining the party with Phase four, which will see India's Reserve Bank and its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) - the world's largest instant payment system (IPS) - joining forces with Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Plus, Indonesia's keeping a close eye on things as a special observer. So, What's the big deal, you ask? Imagine sending money across borders as easily as you split a bill with friends. That's the future Project Nexus is building, and it's about to get a whole lot bigger! Curious about what this means for you, your business, and the future of cross-border payments? Let's break it down... What is Project Nexus? • Project Nexus is an initiative by the BIS Innovation Hub to create a standardized global network for connecting multiple domestic IPS across countries. This cross-border network could enable international payments to happen in second, making international transactions faster, more cost effective, efficient, seamless and promote transparency and safety across borders. • It seeks to standardize the way domestic IPS link in multiple countries via a blueprint Nexus provides. • To connect 60 IPS via Nexus would require 60 technical integration projects (one between each IPS and Nexus) compared with 1,770 bilateral initiatives. This reduces the work required by over 95%. Aim and Objectives The primary aim of Project Nexus is to create a unified network that allows instant payment systems from different countries to connect through a single, standardized interface. The inclusion of UPI represents a massive leap towards global financial integration. This expansion: • Increases the user base amplifying the potential reach and impact of Nexus • More countries joining means a more extensive network, leading to better global connectivity. • Central banks and IPS operators working together foster innovation and shared best practices. The Nexus Scheme Organisation (NSO) will be established to manage the Nexus scheme. The NSO will be owned by the central banks and/or IPS operators in participating countries, ensuring that the governance structure is aligned with the public interest and the goal of achieving instant cross-border payments at scale. This entity will be responsible for: • Governance • Standardization • Scalability Nexus is a big step towards a more interconnected financial world, backed by central banks for security and stability. It's an exciting time for finance professionals, businesses, and individuals alike as we move towards a more connected and efficient global economy. #FinTech #ProjectNexus #FastPaymentSystems #InstantPayments #CrossBorderPayments

This map is a wake-up call. Just 13 districts, in red—contribute nearly 50% of India’s GDP, while the remaining 692 districts share the other half. Such extreme economic concentration inevitably fuels mass migration, strains urban infrastructure, and erodes the quality of life for millions of workers. If India has to become a truly developed economy, we must decentralise prosperity. What industry and entrepreneurs can do: • Set up manufacturing and services in Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities where land is cheaper, talent is abundant, and operational costs are significantly lower. • Invest in emerging industrial clusters supported by new freight corridors, multi-modal logistics parks, and state incentives. • Promote distributed supply chains so jobs grow closer to where people actually live. • Leverage digital infrastructure, every district is now connected to high-speed fibre, enabling modern businesses anywhere. • Collaborate with state governments on skill hubs, MSME ecosystems, and greenfield industrial parks. Balanced growth is not just economic logic, it is social responsibility. By reducing forced migration, we improve living conditions for workers, reduce pressure on megacities, and build a more harmonious India where prosperity is shared, not concentrated. The next wave of Indian growth will come from the districts we have long ignored. It’s time to expand, decentralise, and build a more equitable economic map for India.

African exporters don't need more "capacity building." We need shared cold storage, regional quality labs, and trade finance cooperatives. Here's the blueprint. I've sat through enough donor-funded workshops on "building export capacity." I stopped attending. They always focus on training farmers—beekeeping techniques, organic practices, cooperative management. Please don't DM/invite me to these events. That's fine. But it's not the bottleneck. Accelerators fund useless programs without writing cheques. NGOs fund outdated trainings. Donors fund studies that no one is reading. Governments fund conferences for the elites and cameras. But nobody's funding the boring, essential infrastructure that would 10x African export capacity. Here's what actually limits African superfoods exports: 1. No Shared Cold Storage Honey, moringa, hibiscus—these products need temperature-controlled storage to maintain quality. Most cooperatives can't afford private cold storage facilities ($50,000-$150,000 investment). So products degrade. Quality drops. Buyers reject shipments. Solution: Regional cold storage hubs shared by multiple cooperatives—managed by aggregators or trade associations, accessible at per-kg rates. 2. No Accessible Quality Labs Western buyers need lab reports. But ISO-accredited labs are concentrated in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Accra—urban centers far from production regions. Farmers in rural Tanzania or DRC can't easily access testing. Solution: Mobile lab units or regional satellite facilities offering affordable batch testing ($200-500 instead of $2,000-5,000). Fund through trade development programs. 3. No Trade Finance for SMEs Exporters face brutal cash flow: farmers need payment at harvest, but buyers pay Net 30-90 days after delivery. Banks won't lend without collateral. Microfinance charges 18-30% interest. Solution: Trade finance cooperatives or guarantee funds specifically for agricultural exports—offering 6-8% interest with receivables as collateral. 4. No Aggregation Coordination Platforms Buyers need 5 tons of moringa. No single cooperative can supply that. But if 15 cooperatives coordinated through a digital platform, they could collectively fulfill orders. Solution: Digital aggregation platforms (think Uber for agricultural supply)—matching buyer demand with distributed producer capacity in real-time. 5. No Shared Compliance Infrastructure Organic certifications cost $12,000 per cooperative. But if 10 cooperatives pool resources and certify through a regional body, per-cooperative cost drops to $3,000-4,000. Solution: Certification consortiums where cooperatives share audit costs, documentation systems, and renewal fees. At Lubembo Co., we're building some of this privately—shared storage in Bandundu (DRC), lab relationships for affordable testing in Nairobi, aggregation coordination across cooperatives. But we're one company. This needs systemic investment. #TradeInfrastructure #AfricanExports #Lubembo #Invest