Philanthropreneurship: Applying sustainable, entrepreneurial ideas to meet public health care needs around the world Suzanne S Gilbert, PhD, MPH Director, Center for Innovation in Eye Care Seva Foundation Berkeley, CA

Philanthropy Love of Humankind “Giving of time, money, and know-how to advance common good” Scholarly definition: “Giving outside one’s family” Non-Profit Foundations in US – ,770 – ,843$240 billion (US Govt: 1 month) – ,000 $316 billion Struggle to improve effectiveness From Looking Out for the FUTURE: An Orientation for Twenty-first Century Philanthropists. Katherine Fulton, Andrew Blau 2005

Social Entrepreneurship Innovative, resourceful, practical, opportunistic Go for the “ideal” not the deal Blended value: multiple dimensions Motivation: Social returns on investment Generate paradigm shift Transformative From Unreasonable People: Ten Characteristics of Successful Social Entrepreneurs. John Elkington, Pamela Hartigan.

Case Study in Case Study in Philanthropreneurship: Philanthropreneurship: Aravind Eye Care System Seva Foundation and the Intraocular Lens

Problem Statement: Around 4 Billion People Make < $2/day Most people unable to access technology required to prevent or remedy disability Disabilities are both a cause and effect of poverty New paradigm needed to end this cycle

How a Tiny Piece of Plastic Revolutionized Blindness Prevention 37 Million Bilaterally Blind Worldwide 90% in low-income countries Two out of Three Blind People are Women The Majority of Preventable Blindness is due to Cataract Cataract Surgery Unpopular

What is an IOL?

Close Up of IOL

Dilemma No reliable source for affordable lens Unconventional for non-profits to go into production Significant skepticism re manufacturing Risks seen as too great (we must be crazy) Distrust of “investing” in medical manufacturing, even for the public good

Solution: Make them Ourselves! Identified technology partner Established infrastructure in India Raised funds from individual and institutional donors Made IOLs available at a cost poor people could afford: approx $5 each

Top Quality Standards (CE and ISO Approvals)

Huge Volume, Huge Impact Five million+ IOLs sold Export to 120 Countries Expand Production Capacity Every Year Teach safe use of IOLs Drive down cost for everyone

Critical Impact Award 2007 US Council on Foundations recognized: Seva’s grant catalyzed creation of Aurolab Partnership with grantee & enabling network Significant factor in poor people obtaining sight Attracts people to surgery before they go blind ROI: Affordable lenses and good vision Creates economic engine for sustainability

Ultra High Annual Volume Within Aravind Eye Care System annually: 250,000 Surgeries Strong community based programs Training Scale Up

Centers for Community Ophthalmology Network: Seva and Partners

Aurolab Today Wide product line Fill gaps in market Easy access Sales in low and high income countries