Follow the Talent: Agents of Impact Special Report for Nov. 16

Richelieu Dennis saw something of his own story in Mayvenn, which sells hair products, primarily to African-American women, through a distribution network of local stylists. So his Essence Ventures led Mayvenn’s recent $23 million round of funding.

Income-share funds expand college finance options for low-income students

Experiments with 'ISAs' as both a complement and alternative to traditional student loans are underway at a growing number of universities, coding bootcamps, private schools and college alternatives in the U.S. and internationally.

Infrastructure hopes spring eternal. What’s impact got to do with it? (podcast)

It’s becoming a biennial ritual to loft “infrastructure” as one of the few issues on which bipartisan cooperation is even imaginable in the current U.S. political climate. The pipe dream found new life after last week’s midterm elections, which will give the Democrats a majority in the House of Representatives.

The Brief’s Big 9: Gender-lens transparency, investing in students, Opportunity Zone tools, handmade economy, Agent of Impact Richelieu Dennis

The Brief’s Big 9: Gender-lens transparency, investing in students, Opportunity Zone tools, handmade economy, Agent of Impact Richelieu Dennis

Income-share agreements for economic mobility, Sweetgreen’s fast-casual unicorn, sustainable-clothing-as-a-service, building the handworker economy

Income-share agreements for economic mobility, Sweetgreen’s fast-casual unicorn, sustainable-clothing-as-a-service, building the handworker economy

Building the handworker economy

Work done with hands is the second-largest employer of women in developing economies. The “handworker economy” accounts for 300 million jobs globally, says Nest, a New York nonprofit.

PayJoy secures debt to advance economic inclusion through smartphones

San Francisco-based PayJoy is working to advance underbanked peoples’ access to formal financial services by first helping them buy a smartphone.

For Days’ sustainable-clothing subscription service clinches $2.8 million

The company's seed round was led by Rosecliff Ventures and Collaborative Fund, and joined by Congruent Ventures, Third Prime Capital, Closed Loop Ventures, Bleu Capital, Gramercy Fund, and Ride Ventures.