Photo Contest

Send us your pictures and win!

BiD Network is excited to announce a "one time only" Photo Contest. The contest will gather photos from around the world on the theme of "Entrepreneurship for Development". The contest is open to registered members of www.bidnetwork.org. The best photos will be awarded prizes from €50 to €250. 

Send us your pictures and win! The submission deadline is April 30th.

For more information on the photo contest and how to participate see www.bidnetwork.org/photocontest.

Winners Update

Rene Fortuno and Melonie Jallorina from PBSP, and Leontien Peeters from BiD Network visited in early March the   Community-based Lemon Grass Oil production plant of Aladino Moraca, BiD Challenge Philippines 2007 winner. Below their impressions.

“After an almost 3 hour ride from the city of Bacolod, in Negros Occidental, we reached the Mambugsay Essential Oil Producers Association (MEOPA) distillation plant in Cauayan. Entrepreneur Aladino Moraca and Auke Idzenga from the Philippine NGO Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation (AIDFI) were our gracious hosts. The final season distillation had been delayed a few days so we could see the plant in operation. We were impressed by the quality of the product and the farmers’ high level of involvement in the production process!

This poor upland farmers’ association was formed in 2004 by the AIDFI to provide its members with an alternative source of income. This lemon grass oil distillation plant delivers a high quality and easy to transport product, yearlong. The production is closely monitored and the farmers get additional knowledge on the best growing and harvesting practices for optimal oil yield. Their income has more than doubled and they are proud of their product. AIDFI has just assisted the farmers in creating water reservoirs to improve production during the dry season.

When asked about the main challenges faced, our hosts replied: "Marketing". ..." Production is still too small for the big bulk buyers. Because the oil is manufactured organically and fairly traded, it has a competitive edge in the niche market. The business is yet to capitalize on this. "Presently we are working on a marketing plan, together with a trainee from the Netherlands."

A third or even forth plant could increase the level of production to the amount needed to supply large international buyers. The business is opting to establish a current market first before expanding, making sure the farmers involved right now continue to receive a fair price.

And where did the BiD Challenge prize money go to? "The prize money from the BiD Challenge Philippines 2007 is being used to get national and international organic certification and developing a marketing strategy.  More info: Here

The headquarters in The Netherlands now counts with three new staff members.

Nils de Witte, joins as Director and Matchmaker for SME finance. http://www.bidnetwork.org/person-81866-en.html

Arjan van Bentem will act as Tecnical Manager bidnetwork.org. http://www.bidnetwork.org/person-83156-en.html

Claudia Schalkx is our new Communications officer http://www.bidnetwork.org/person-83787-en.html

Improvements & Developments

BiD Network Matchmaking: A new service that focuses solely on equity finance for new innovative and fast growing companies in the new emerging markets. BiD Network Matchmaking works through national agents who will support the entrepreneurs in getting "ready for equity" and build national investors networks. The investors’ network of BiD Network Matchmaking will initially consist of 200 private investors and funds. The amounts of equity invested range from $15.000 to $1.500.000.

The Your City competititon at

Win a trip to the Your City Summit in Durban