The eBay (s) for microfinance

Bambi Francisco Roizen · May 26, 2007 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/10

 

 

 

Is there room for two eBay's of microloans? Both Prosper and Kiva define their businesses as eBay of microfinancing. But the two companies are approaching this big market opportunity with two distinct strategies. The main difference between Kiva and Prosper is that Prosper offers lenders a return on their money. Microfinancing is a $2 trillion market, according to Prosper's Chris Larsen. He says the spreads earned by banks is roughly 10%, which he thinks should go to individuals lending. Kiva's lenders do not receive a return. The cool thing about what both companies are doing is that they're democratizing the process of accessing capital. It's something Vator.tv hopes to do as well.

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Bambi Francisco Roizen

Founder and CEO of Vator, a media and research firm for entrepreneurs and investors; Managing Director of Vator Health Fund; Co-Founder of Invent Health; Author and award-winning journalist.

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