About D-Rev

2.7B people in the world live on less than $2/day, barely able to survive, with no hope for finding a way out of poverty. At the same time, 90% of the world’s design talent is focused on designing products that meet the needs of the richest 10% of the world. In addition, traditional poverty alleviation approaches based on charity have not been successful at lifting the 2.7B out of poverty.

In order to make a significant impact on poverty alleviation, no less than a revolution in design approach and market serving is needed. By viewing the poor as customers (not recipients), and focusing on serving this market with affordable products that enable the poor to earn their way out of poverty, we can make substantial inroads in the mission to eliminate poverty and all its attendant social ills.

The Need

Customers living on $2/day or less face a number of obstacles in making ends meet for their families so that they have food, shelter, good health, access to education, and hope for a better future.

Key obstacles for poor customers are affordable access to:

• Water (clean drinking water and irrigation water)
• Energy Sources (power for lighting and for driving equipment and tools)
• Knowledge (agricultural expertise, business planning expertise, key relationships)

D-Rev Solutions are focused on addressing these key needs through the design of highly affordable products that enable poor customers very quick (2-12 months) return on investment, thus catalyzing immediate income generation for their families.