The story of Tamul Plates is also a story of patience… and enormous entrepreneurial fortitude. Upaya CEO Kate Cochran shares our journey with Tamul Plates after her visit to Assam and Upaya’s exit from this longstanding investment.
Economic Justice Requires More than Money Alone
Why You Shouldn't Look for an Annual Impact Report from Upaya
Covid Reminded Us Not to Become Complacent in Our Mission Against Poverty
10 Things We Have Learned in 10 Years
Making Space for Strong Women To Be Themselves
Now More Than Ever
Upaya's Response to Covid-19
Dear Upaya Community,
The recent worldwide COVID-19 outbreak is a reminder that rare and unexpected emergencies have the potential to disrupt our professional and personal routines. Upaya provides investment and consulting support to early-stage businesses aimed at creating jobs for the poorest of the poor. Our portfolio of 21 businesses have cumulatively created over 15,000 jobs for the poor in India. During this period of heightened uncertainty, Upaya is taking extra measures to ensure the health and safety of those in our extended community so that we are prepared to help the most vulnerable.
In addition to the potential spread of the virus itself, we anticipate that significant disruption could result from market volatility, supply chain shocks, and other economic events. We are in regular touch with our investee companies to ensure they are aware of local developments and have a risk mitigation strategy in place. We are strongly encouraging them to develop contingency plans to deal with slower business cycles and support jobholders who may require additional assistance. We have delayed the launch of our next accelerator program by two months in hopes that by May, travel within India will feel safe again.
For our own staff, we have implemented a work-from-home policy – subject to directives from local health authorities in Seattle and Bangalore. We are curbing business travel to and from affected areas, again subject to local health guidelines.
We are hopeful and optimistic that COVID-19 will retreat quickly in the coming weeks and that we will spring back to business as usual. In the meantime, we are committed to seeing our community safely through these extraordinary circumstances.
4/9/20 UPDATE: Please read our latest post to learn about Upaya’s three-wave COVID-19 response strategy.
50,000 Jobs by 2022
Can You Quantify Net Good?
Answering The Question, ‘How Do You Help People Too Poor For Microloans?’ - Forbes.com
Devin Thorpe of Forbes asked our CEO, Kate Cochran, how Upaya helps people too poor for microloans. The answer? Stable, dignified jobs. Read the full article here!
Why the Impact First vs Finance First Debate in Impact Investing Shouldn’t Be a Debate
More of our fellow impact investors are proudly pronouncing that they are deploying their capital to have impact and that their financial goals are more modest. These “impact first” investors are moving out of the defensive crouch that seemed to characterize this approach in the early years of the industry.
UPAYA FUNDAMENTALS: How is Upaya Funded?
One-size-fits-all investment?
The “Missing Middle” is More Complicated
Philanthropy Magnified: The Unique Power Of Recoverable Grants
Upaya’s Sachi Shenoy and Kate Cochran discuss a new take traditional philanthropy in a piece written for givingcompass.org.
2018 Upaya Breakfast Briefing Recap
On July 20, 2018, Kate Cochran and Sachi Shenoy, gave an update on Upaya's portfolio and jobholder metrics at the Upaya Breakfast Briefing, hosted at Global Washington. Watch a recording of the event which was streamed live on Facebook!
Kate Cochran Named GlobalWA's March Changemaker
Global Washington's March newsletter featured Kate Cochran, CEO of Upaya Social Ventures, as this month's changemaker. The article shares Kate's journey into international development, and how she ultimately became the CEO of Upaya.
