Tim Prestero – Design that Matters
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Design that Matters
Our Mission
Our mission is to create products that improve the services of social enterprises in developing countries. DtM leverages the skills and intellectual capital of hundreds of volunteers in academia and industry to create breakthrough solutions for communities in need. Our goal is to empower our clients to deliver a better quality of service and a better quality of life to one million beneficiaries in the next five years.
Statement of Need
By World Bank estimates, two-thirds of the world population lives on less than per day. These communities lack access to such basic necessities as clean water, affordable health care and basic education. They lack stable housing and employment opportunities. In many cases, they are not participants in the cash economy.
These disadvantages produce a vicious cycle for the world’s poor that results in sub-standard living conditions, which can hinder them from participating in activities that transcend daily survival. In order for these individuals to improve their quality of life—through productive work, community organization and political participation—they must receive more than direct charity and aid. The poor must be given the tools and opportunities to improve themselves, their families and their communities. This is the issue that social entrepreneurs address in serving those at the “bottom of the pyramid.”
Social entrepreneurs are change agents for the social sector. They are mission-driven, determined to achieve results and committed to maintaining accountability to the communities they serve. According to Ashoka founder Bill Drayton: “An entrepreneur plows the field” and “weakens the idea that change isn’t possible.” Social entrepreneurs effect systemic transformation by tackling not only the problem at hand, but also the roots of that problem. What’s more, social entrepreneurs are usually more effective in addressing root causes than are supranational NGOs because they are better integrated into the societies they serve, and know the specific needs of their beneficiaries.
The challenge that many social enterprises in the developing world face is a lack of access to financing, information technology, consulting services and other forms of intellectual capital, without which they are inhibited in their growth and efficiency. These social enterprises can offer better services and scale more quickly if provided access to better products, particularly those designed specifically for their needs. Design that Matters was created to provide this service.
Organizational History
In 2001, graduate students at the MIT Media Lab launched Design that Matters as a design studio and seminar course for fellow students looking to connect their education to real needs in poor communities. The DtM founders believed that the university system could become a catalyst for the creation of new tools to better serve basic needs in developing countries. The seminar course was a smash success, but proved difficult to scale as an extracurricular student project. In 2003, Timothy Prestero and Neil Cantor committed themselves to the concept full-time, and launched DtM as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and a low-cost design company serving the developing world.
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The StartingBloc Fellowship begins with the Institute for Social Innovation. The Institute is a five-day transformative experience where leaders get the education, inspiration, and connections that they need to increase their impact.
At the Institute, Candidates (students and young professionals aged 20-29) are provided with the training, education, and networks necessary to accelerate their careers. StartingBloc Educators are experts and leaders in their respective fields, and they work with Candidates to demonstrate how to blend social and economic impact.
During the Institute, Candidates learn about social entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship (working within systems), cross sector partnerships and sustainability. Sessions are led by top academics, corporate innovators, social entrepreneurs, activists and government officials. The curriculum provides a fresh look at global issues and enables our Fellows to affect change at all levels.
As part of the Institute, Candidates also participate in the Social Innovation Competition (SIC) during which they consult on a real social innovation case challenge for a company or organization. Following successful completion of the Institute, Candidates graduate into the Fellowship and join our existing network of 1500 Fellows across the world.
In 2011, the Institutes are bringing together 330 Fellows at three locations: Los Angeles (110 Fellows), Boston (110 Fellows) and New York (110 Fellows).
Los Angeles Institute :: February 17 – 21, 2011
Boston Institute :: March 17 – 21, 2011
New York Institute :: May 26 – 30, 2011
Applications are now closed for the 2011 Institutes. Excited to get a jump on 2012? Leave us your name or nominate a friend to apply. Applications for the 2012 Institutes will open on September 15, 2011.
