-Revenue-Based Financing Marks a Significant Milestone for
Social Enterprises in Japan-
TOKYO, June 20,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robo Co-op, a pioneering social
enterprise focused on refugee empowerment through digital skills,
has secured a transformative 0.7million
USD investment from Ritsumeikan
University's Social Impact Fund (RSIF). This revenue-based
funding, a first for both organizations, signifies a new era of
sustainable funding for social enterprises in Japan and will directly fuel the
organization's mission to provide comprehensive digital skills and
flexible employment opportunities to refugees, fostering diversity,
equity, and inclusion (DE&I).
By advancing digital inclusion and economic empowerment for this
vulnerable population, Robo Co-op reinforces its commitment to
social innovation and sets a precedent for impactful, sustainable
funding models in the social impact sector. This investment will
enable Robo Co-op to significantly expand its impact in several key
areas:
-
- Increased Training Capacity: Funding will enable Robo Co-op
to train more refugees in cutting-edge digital skills, including
generative AI, RPA, and other in-demand technologies.
- Expanded Employment Opportunities: The investment will
facilitate the creation of more remote work opportunities, allowing
refugees to build sustainable careers.
- Enhanced Social Impact: Robo Co-op will strengthen its
programs to measure and demonstrate the positive social impact of
its work, including increased income levels, improved well-being,
and greater community integration and social cohesion for
refugees.
Recent Activities Showcasing Robo Co-op's Impact
- Robo Co-op's founder, Jintae Kim, recently advocated for refugee
digital inclusion with AI at the CRCP held by UNHCR in Geneva in June
2024, sharing Robo Co-op's innovations (career impact bond x
digital impact sourcing), and proposing a Global Digital Inclusion
Task Force.
- Our refugee members shared success stories at
Automation Any where's Imagine 2024 conference, highlighting the
transformative power of AI and automation.
- Jintae facilitated a panel discussion at the
Welcome Summit in Tokyo, exploring
new possibilities for refugee inclusion through AI.
- Robo Co-op's refugee members led an AI
training for UNHCR Japan
- Robo Co-op start offering group training on
generative AI, prompt engineering, and practical use cases,
including advanced API integration and AI×RPA implementation for
other companies and NGOs.
About Robo Co-op
Robo Co-op supports refugees in overcoming political conflicts,
civil wars, persecution, and natural disasters to build new
futures. It was founded by Jintae
Kim based on his background and experience as he was born in
Japan as the third generation of
North Korean facing similar challenges as refugees. The
organization aims to develop individuals capable of thriving in the
upcoming AI era by providing digital skills education and
employment opportunities to refugees and single mothers, striving
for their economic independence.
At Robo Co-op, "refugee" is defined as "people who overcome
difficulties and carve out a new future." Their activities go
beyond mere support, believing in the refugees' ability to shape
their own futures and walking alongside them every step of the
way.
Contact Info for Robo
Co-op
Join us in our mission to empower
refugees. Visit Robo Co-op or email
info@roboco-op.org
About RSIF
The Ritsumeikan Social Impact Fund (RSIF) is an investment fund
established by Ritsumeikan University
to pursue both social and economic value. The fund is managed by
Plus Social Investment Co., Ltd., based in Kyoto, Japan. RSIF operates under the
Ritsumeikan Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Promotion
Office, which also runs the RIMIX (Ritsumeikan Impact-Makers Inter
X Platform). This platform is designed to support Ritsumeikan University's entrepreneurial and
commercialization initiatives.
RSIF was established in the fiscal year 2020 with the aim of
supporting challenges in solving social issues through new
ventures. The fund targets investments in businesses managed by
Ritsumeikan students, alumni, and other
affiliated individuals, including nonprofit organizations.
For more information about RSIF visit
https://r-rimix.com/fund/
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SOURCE Robo Co-op