Harold Rosen (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Harold Rosen is Executive Director of the Grassroots Business Fund
. Rosen holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Regional Science from the University of Pennsylvania
, and an MBA from Harvard Business School
.
In 1992, Rosen became a Manager in IFC’s Asia Department, covering Southeast Asia and the Pacific. He was instrumental in starting IFC’s operations in the Mekong region, including both IFC’s investment and technical assistance program, establishing the Mekong Private Sector Development Facility.
In 1997, Rosen was promoted to Director of Central and Southern Europe Department. He also played a major role in starting IFC’s microfinance activities, as well as creating Southeast Europe Enterprise Development (SEED), another of IFC’s technical assistance facilities.
Department (SME), a joint department of IFC and the World Bank
. Its mandate was to support expansion of and strengthen the World Bank Group’s SME work. Today, the SME department's main functions include Portfolio Management, Results Measurement, Donor Relationships and knowledge Management and Learning Programs.
In December 2003 Rosen started and led IFC's Grassroots Business Initiative (GBI). GBI aimed to strengthen and scale up enterprises that create sustainable economic opportunities for the poor and marginalized. Grassroots Business Organizations are double bottom line business ventures, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, which empower and engage those at the “base of the pyramid” as entrepreneurs, suppliers, consumers and employees. These businesses provide sustainable income, training and needed products and services to those who need them most.
Rosen is also credited with starting the Pangea Artisan Market & Café. Under the theme of economic empowerment of women, Pangea has an educational component that allows visitors to scan each item into interactive kiosks and learn the stories of the female artisans from developing countries.
Rosen spun the Grassroots Business Fund
out of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2008. Fifteen million dollars of the first fund came from the IFC with the rest coming from Omidyar Network
and some foundations, individuals and government agencies. The money came to GBF as grants and much of it was invested in a mix of equity, quasi-equity, and debt in some 28 enterprises in Latin America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.
Grassroots Business Fund
The Grassroots Business Fund is a non-profit based in Washington, DC. It has field offices in Ghana, Kenya, and India. Their mission is to build and support high-impact enterprises that provide sustainable economic opportunities to thousands of people at the base of the economic pyramid...
. Rosen holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Regional Science from the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, and an MBA from Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
.
Early Years
Rosen joined the World Bank Group in 1978 through the Young Professionals Program Early assignments included: Investment Officer in IFC’s Latin America and Africa Departments; IFC’s Manager for Financial Planning and Policy; and Member of the task force starting IFC’s operations in the former Soviet Union.In 1992, Rosen became a Manager in IFC’s Asia Department, covering Southeast Asia and the Pacific. He was instrumental in starting IFC’s operations in the Mekong region, including both IFC’s investment and technical assistance program, establishing the Mekong Private Sector Development Facility.
In 1997, Rosen was promoted to Director of Central and Southern Europe Department. He also played a major role in starting IFC’s microfinance activities, as well as creating Southeast Europe Enterprise Development (SEED), another of IFC’s technical assistance facilities.
Small and Medium Enterprises
In March 2000, Rosen was assigned to start up and head the Small and Medium EnterpriseSmall and medium enterprise
Small and medium enterprises or small and medium-sized enterprises are companies whose headcount or turnover falls below certain limits.The abbreviation "SME" occurs commonly...
Department (SME), a joint department of IFC and the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
. Its mandate was to support expansion of and strengthen the World Bank Group’s SME work. Today, the SME department's main functions include Portfolio Management, Results Measurement, Donor Relationships and knowledge Management and Learning Programs.
In December 2003 Rosen started and led IFC's Grassroots Business Initiative (GBI). GBI aimed to strengthen and scale up enterprises that create sustainable economic opportunities for the poor and marginalized. Grassroots Business Organizations are double bottom line business ventures, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, which empower and engage those at the “base of the pyramid” as entrepreneurs, suppliers, consumers and employees. These businesses provide sustainable income, training and needed products and services to those who need them most.
Rosen is also credited with starting the Pangea Artisan Market & Café. Under the theme of economic empowerment of women, Pangea has an educational component that allows visitors to scan each item into interactive kiosks and learn the stories of the female artisans from developing countries.
Rosen spun the Grassroots Business Fund
Grassroots Business Fund
The Grassroots Business Fund is a non-profit based in Washington, DC. It has field offices in Ghana, Kenya, and India. Their mission is to build and support high-impact enterprises that provide sustainable economic opportunities to thousands of people at the base of the economic pyramid...
out of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2008. Fifteen million dollars of the first fund came from the IFC with the rest coming from Omidyar Network
Omidyar Network
Omidyar Network is a philanthrocapitalist investment firm established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam. To date, Omidyar Network has committed more than $290 million to for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual...
and some foundations, individuals and government agencies. The money came to GBF as grants and much of it was invested in a mix of equity, quasi-equity, and debt in some 28 enterprises in Latin America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.