Deep Technology Applications in Developing Economies: Three Vignettes

By Federico Antoni, Steve Ciesinski, Howard Rosen
2017 | Case No. E641 | Length 13 pgs.

As developing economies grow and become more connected, new and exciting entrepreneurial opportunities arise across markets and industries. Smartphones, the best sensors on earth have already been deployed and new technologies, such as Machine Learning, Robotics and Blockchain, will allow problems to be solved at a scale like never seen before. Despite this fertile ground for new endeavors, success not only requires a unique technology fit but great execution in adverse environments. This case includes three vignettes featuring Latin American robo-advising platform, Alkanza, Indian AI-enabled medical device startup, Sig Tuple and emerging Turkish Venture Capital firm, ScaleX. It describes the unique opportunities and distinct challenges of applying deep technologies in developing economies through the eyes of three groups of entrepreneurs scaling technology-based endeavors.

Learning Objective

Understand the particular challenges facing early stage entrepreneurs in developing economies from financing to technology adoption to scaling organizations globally. Describe the opportunity of applying deep technologies such as AI, Robotics or AR/VR in countries with low purchasing power and lacking infrastructure. Introduce use cases for these technologies and the challenges facing their implementation in emerging ecosystems.

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