People in poor countries already have an incredibly entrepreneurial spirit. They need to, hustling for themselves is what they need to do to get by, since there are very few jobs.

To properly support these people, you need 3 things: - Security - Infrastructure - Capital

Generally, people in 3rd world countries are much more creative and resourceful than we are, they just need an environment in which they can flourish, and where they're not constantly worried about someone coming to take everything away from them (in my wife's country, having any sort of wealth guarantees you WILL be robbed - and the police are complicit, sometimes committing the robbery themselves).

One thing that strikes me, and which I think is important is that we focus more on the fact that we could inspire a million x $10K a year companies rather than a 100 x $1Bn dollar a year companies.

Focus on the microdevelopment aspect of this rather than the dreams of avarice and VC ROI. I don't want to replicate a "Found it and Flip it" mentality.

I'd like to see a world where people start building businesses that they could feasibly pass on to their children. Solid local businesses, (both tech and traditional) using entrepreneurial tools to find and serve a need for the community.

It keeps you honest if you always put the needs of your customers ahead of your investors - who are usually looking for an exit. Continued customer revenue demonstrates that you are continuing to deliver value over time.

This is the message we should be trying to spread in the developing world, not get rich quick. Hasn't worked out so well for us, really.

That said - count me in.

I think the attention on the world's poor is great...and I'm not going to be one of those naysayers who argue, "Poor people don't need smartphones they need food"...but the OP is doing some serious forward-jumping here.

Let's assume that smartphones and tablets (and previously, cheap netbooks) are as vital to the poor as they are to everyone else. What does that have to do with enabling them to be the next "tech founders"?

In America, we have digital device wealth aplenty, and there's no clear correlation that such availability to the middle class enables a corresponding rise in valuable tech entrepreneurship. In fact, one might argue the opposite: that tablets and on-demand-high-speed entertainment has made people more into consumers (and snarky commenters) than producers.

Again, I think the attention toward the poor is great and much needed. I just think the "let them make startups!" vibe is cognitively awkward.

When I visited Kenya two years ago I was amazed at M-PESA's spread, and the $99 Android phone had just launched there. If you're interested in disrupting tech in Africa, I'd recommend a visit to Nairobi's iHub, it's am amazingly energetic space: http://www.ihub.co.ke/

Love the idea, would love to invest (not an accredited investor, so would have to wait for the JOBS act to go through, or to find another way to do so). SaintSal, I've just emailed you about this.

I created an email list if anyone who wants to be updated: http://eepurl.com/FeE2z

On a related note, I'm looking for a good program to sponsor a child's education. Most of what I find are run by church-affiliated groups which is fine if the education is secular. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Off topic: it seems that posts from medium.com are less often on front page now. Sign of decline?

EVERTHING changing in London sure looks similar to not very much changing. I was in Bangkok 2 years ago and I must have had blinders on since EVERYTHING changed. I think the only thing that hasn't changed is bullshit hyperbole.