Innovation Launchpad
What is the GDC Innovation Launchpad?
The GDC Innovation Launchpad aims to help GDC members adapt and adopt innovations that have already been proven elsewhere by ‘trailblazers’; that is, forward-thinking, high-performing last mile distributors (LMDs) that have already tried and tested these innovations in their own companies.
How does the GDC Innovation Launchpad work?
A small group of GDC members (“innovation adopters”) meet with trailblazers virtually and in person to learn more about their experiences and lessons learned. Innovation adopters receive technical assistance and grant funding to help pilot the innovation in their own company; while innovation trailblazers will receive grant funding and support from the GDC to share their knowledge and insights with the cohort of innovation adopters. The GDC team will share key learnings more broadly with the wider GDC membership and interested last mile distribution sector stakeholders.
Which business innovations will the GDC Innovation Launchpad focus on?
Based on GDC member preferences that were collected in October 2023, in combination with a feasibility assessment, the first cohort of the GDC Innovation Launchpad (June 2024 – Jan 2025) focuses on e-commerce and last mile repair services. The topics for the second cohort (April – November 2025) will be confirmed at a later date.
E-commerce
How can last mile distributors and their sales agents improve the customer experience and their sales performance using mobile e-commerce applications?
Last-mile repair services
How can last mile distributors extend product lifetime for their customers by offering repair-as-a-service through their staff or informal repair technicians?
How and when can last mile distributors (LMDs) get involved?
To become a GDC Innovation Adopter, a company must be a GDC member. You don’t need to be a GDC member to apply to become a GDC Innovation Trailblazer. Applications are currently closed because Cohort 1 of the GDC Innovation Launchpad is ongoing. Please subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future cohorts.
Companies participating in last mile repair services
Innovation Trailblazer, SolarAid, and Innovation Adopters, Nyalore Impact from Kenya, Kukula Solar from Zambia, and Natfort Energy from Zimbabwe. The Adopters are leading the way in the rollout of repair business models as a way of increasing the lifespan of beneficial products such as solar lights, as a way of tackling e-waste. The in-person workshop was carried out from 19th to 22nd August in Zambia.
Companies participating in e-commerce
Innovation Trailblazer, Frontier Markets, and Innovation Adopters: Rafode Ltd from Kenya, Uplinx Energy from Nigeria and Zonful Energy from Zimbabwe. The Adopters plan to implement an agent-assisted e-commerce business model to enhance efficiency and effectively reach underserved areas with impactful products such as solar lights, solar irrigation systems, and clean cookstoves, and also offer services like microloans. The in-person workshop took place from October 14th to 17th in India.
Next steps?
Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on the next cohort of the GDC Innovation Launchpad. If you have any questions, reach out to us at gdc@practicalaction.org.uk.
The GDC Innovation Launchpad is funded with UK aid from the UK government, via the Transforming Energy Access platform.
