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Shanghai-based startup Qifang.cn has been named by the World Economic Forum as one of 34 visionary companies to be part of its Technology Pioneer Community "for their accomplishments as innovators of the highest calibre, and whose technologies will have a deep impact on business and society." This makes the peer-to-peer microlending platform with the sole purpose of helping poor students complete their university education the very first Chinese enterprise to gain the honour. Our several chance encounters with Qifang's CEO Calvin Chin led us to believe this guy has a grand vision of where he wants to take this next. This is one startup you can expect to hear more of in the days ahead.
Read more here, here, here and here. And if you're interested to help sponsor the education and fulfill the dreams of a few Chinese students, visit Qifang.cn to find out more.
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There are other players in China for p2p loans and globally for student loans therefore it is surprising that qifang is selected as the Tech pioneer which requires it not to be a repackaging of an already well-accepted technological solution.
US - greennote and Fynanz (Student loans)
In China
51give.com (Microfinance and Student loans)
ppdai.com (general lending)
wokai.org (Microfinance donations)