Ideas and action at the intersection of technology and development.
The Emerging Frontier is a startup developing solutions at the intersection of economic development and technology to accelerate progress in developing countries.
Technology creates new possibilities, but it alone does not guarantee development. Sustainable progress depends on the ability of people, institutions, and systems to coordinate, identify opportunities, and apply technical knowledge to maximize the potential of innovation.
Our mission is to help developing countries navigate this process. We do this by exploring the relationship between economies and innovation ecosystems, sharing actionable insights and concepts, and creating practical solutions that can be effectively implemented and scaled.
Building the foundations for technology-led development
Universities can be powerful engines of innovation.
They bring together talent, research, and ideas, but having these assets does not automatically create a functioning innovation ecosystem.
Across developing countries, significant investment has gone into innovation hubs, entrepreneurship centres, and related infrastructure. The next challenge is strengthening the institutional systems that allow these resources to work effectively and consistently.
The University Ecosystem Building Programme is our response.
We work with university faculty, innovation teams, and student societies to strengthen the systems behind innovation from identifying opportunities and engaging ecosystem partners to designing programmes, managing projects, developing governance models, and measuring progress.
The programme is designed around the resources universities already have, with an emphasis on building repeatable systems that can compound beyond a single intervention or funding cycle.
Our current focus
The Emerging Frontier began as a platform to explore the opportunities taking place across emerging and frontier markets.
We have published articles and content on a range of subjects from fintech and trade to energy, investment, industrial development, and the changing role of technology in different economies. The common thread is a commitment to highlighting progress, understanding market shifts, and encouraging greater participation in new opportunities.
If you would like to explore our previous content, check out our Instagram and LinkedIn pages.
Insights from the frontier
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