If you are a typical farmer in a developing country and want a biodigester, hydraulic water pump or other low-cost environmentally friendly technology, there is generally no easy way for you to get one locally. You either have to make one yourself or hope that an infrastructure development NGO comes your way. This is because there are few providers of appropriate technologies in developing countries, and fewer still that serve the rural poor.  The AIDG intends to change that and we believe that business incubation is the key.

Through our Business Incubation Program, which is the cornerstone of our work, we locate engineering talent in developing countries and help them form businesses that provide small-scale renewable energy, water, and sanitation systems to underserved communities, development agencies and private individuals. Our objective is to create a global network of micro-manufacturing facilities (a.k.a. workshops).

The benefits of investing in such businesses include:

• Sustainability. Locally based businesses produce lasting change and ensure long-term access to sanitation, electricity and clean water in the communities they serve.
• Wider Distribution. Our businesses establish distribution channels to disseminate their products as effectively as possible to the people who need them the most.
• Lower Cost. Local production means cost-savings for the farmer, development NGO  or community organization that wants access to our clean or renewable technologies.
• Lower barriers to entry. There are many barriers that would prevent businesses aimed at serving lower income communities from getting off the ground. Our incubation program helps remove some of those obstacles.

The AIDG provides each workshop with:

• Training
• Seed Capital (recoverable grant)
  
• Technical and logical support
• Equipment and material procurement
• Aid in business planning
• A 2-year incubation commitment
• Access to a talented base of international volunteers and interns