► Design, Implementation and Management of Integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives for Large Multi-national Corporations ► Design, Implementation and Management of Region-Wide Development Initiatives for International Development Organizations, NGO’s, and Government Agencies RDC works exclusively in developing countries. Currently there are no other firms that have the ability to provide both the sound management expertise and the on-the-ground implementation and management capabilities. Additionally, there are no other firms, or organizations, that work directly with multi-national corporations to link corporate strategy to international development. RDC was created specifically to fill this void. RDC’s strength lies in its ability to combine traditional grass-roots, on-the-ground development implementation expertise with best-in-class management practices from the business sector. It leverages the skills and experience of its staff (all of whom have worked in development after successful careers at top-tier management, finance, marketing and Fortune 500 companies) to help ensure successful implementation of sustainable, and economically viable, development initiatives. RDC stands out from its competitors in the development sector for two important reasons: 1. Its core belief that the only way to solve the world’s most difficult challenges is by attracting and retaining the best & brightest talent from across all industries 2. RDC is the only development firm that ensures successful project implementation and impact by aligning its compensation and fee structure with delivering measurable results Examples of RDI projects (currently in negotiation and development) include building and managing locally based supply chains in developing countries for companies such as Newmont Mining Corporation, Whole Foods and Aramark; and working with international development organizations, like the Clinton Foundation and the micro-finance organization ProMujer, to design and implement a new model for aggregated micro-finance lending.

Describe the critical need your solution addresses.

The RDC team has been working for over 2 years to design the business model and test its viability through pro-bono engagements around the world. Over the past 2 years, management has worked on projects and conducted industry research in over 10 countries. They have worked on engagements for a number of leading development organizations, including Ashoka in India and the Acumen Fund.

RDC began full operations in June 2008. Since then, the team has established a number of concrete relationships with potential clients and has built a robust pipeline of potential engagements. One example of an RDC engagement in the later stages of development is the Cajamarca Equity Fund, a CSR initiative RDC is designing in conjunction with several large mining corporations operating in Cajamarca, Peru. This new hybrid venture capital/ development fund has been designed to address the lack of mezzanine sized seed capital financing in the region, and is aimed at repairing the damaged relationship between the local community and the Cajamarcan mining industry. RDC is also working closely with potential fund investors/partners from the development sector including The Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI).

RDC has been designed around a partnership model. Therefore, RDC’s expansion plan is based on growth by adding additional Partners. Currently, the model anticipates growing to 4 Partners, with 2 offices in Latin America, by the end of Year 2. By Year 5, RDI will expand to Asia (most likely India), with 5 new Partners based out of an Asian office. Several future Partners have already been identified. RDC has also established a relationship with the U.S. Peace Corps in Peru, whereby Peace Corps Volunteers will work with RDC to help facilitate programs in the field. Further, RDC will partner with MBAs without Borders to provide additional volunteer analysts and potential sources of qualified and experienced employees.

Funding from the BuckMinster Fuller Challenge will be used to finance working capital and other start-up expenses (legal fees, travel related to new deal generation, and salaries) throughout parts of years 1 and 2. After Year 2, the Company will be profitable with no additional financing needs.

Explain your initiative in more depth and its stage of development.

RDC’s comprehensive strategy design, implementation and management services integrate the best practices of the business and development sectors to yield long-term sustainable economic growth for underserved communities in developing countries. It pairs the economic interests and incentives of large corporations with the needs communities to create mutually beneficial development initiatives. Essentially, RDC specializes in the concept of “triple bottom line” results to the development sphere

The true innovation lies in the establishment of new sustainable local industries that will thrive even after corporate funding ceases, which would not be the case under the typical CSR model, which is dependent on ongoing charitable donations. RDC on-the-ground approach to development project implementation and management is unique from any other development organization in the field. Finally, every aspect of RDC’s operating model is rooted in on-the-ground experience, and has been developed and tested in the field.

How does your strategy and approach respond creatively and comprehensively to key issues?

RDC’s current management team consists of 3 Founding Partners, 1 Director of Business Development, and an experienced Board of Directors from relevant industries. Each member of the RDC team has both on-the-ground development experience and traditional business experience working at top-tier management, finance, marketing and Fortune 500 companies.

The team has more than half a century of combined experience in the sector, and members have been recognized as leading innovators in the development field. They have led panels at top industry conferences, studied CSR practices and been awarded highly acclaimed distinctions, such as the Reynolds Fellowship for Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the RDC Team has a proven track record of designing and implementing highly successful, sustainable development initiatives. One of the projects developed by RDC Partners led to the creation of a $25 million agricultural industry in the Northern Highlands of Peru. The project resulted in a 350% increase in annual income to over 1,000 local farmers in the region.