Enabling Ecosystem Change Through Math and Innovation
Occular Institute Partnered with IRIS University to Create a Showcase of Change
The Occular Institute was established to develop frictionless algorithms that empower change and positive outcomes, beginning with an alternative financial system called KBR. We initiate work with projects and solutions globally, gather best practices, distill them into math and systematically implement them.
In November 2023, we began the Occular Innovation Center - Pemba, in partnership with IRIS University. The goal is to start with the immense foundation that IRIS has developed in Pemba and show what can be done when we bring in Occular Institute’s algorithmic solutions in a local ecosystem.
Investment Waves
We initially started with a first wave of 5 businesses locally. We give first priority to the group of widows at the IRIS base, but are already expanding beyond this reach. We invest through our alternative system that has no debt and no equity, but is mathematical reaping and sowing. As returns come in, we will continue to expand in more investment waves.
Practical Courses and Training
IRIS University provides the formal education desperately needed in the Pemba region. The Innovation Center provides shorter and very practical training that helps people prepare for the opportunities offered through the Innovation Center. Our first set of classes are for new and early entrepreneurs. The course is in three parts. 1) Costs, revenues, and profits, 2) your own cost, revenue and profit models, and 3) how does KBR work and what are the local legal requirements of your business. The goal is when people go through all three classes that they will be eligible for investment.
Farming and Job Creation
In January 2024, we bought our first portion of a farm that is 1.5 hectares large. We have a local staff working the farm and are now into the production phase. As our training program develops further with Farming God’s Way as a partner, we will expand this farm and create a training center that also provides more local food availability.
2024 Plans
Coffee and Cafeteria
Occular is working on solutions with a group called International Coffee Cooperative. As such, we have the ability to bring in experts in the coffee value chain to assist in opening an initial coffee shop and possibly a cafeteria to support the University students and local populace. With this connection, we are able to look at roasting and farming as means to further develop and create local jobs.
Beyond Micro-Finance
While we appreciate that the average local business investment is about $600, we see micro-investments as a vetting tool to larger investments. As we continue to grow and see successful implementation of the KBR system locally, we will begin larger scale investments. To date, investments are done by nonprofit donations and capital from Occular LLC.
Continued Solution Implementation
Our approach is to continue to build the lcoal ecosystem with three main components:
1. Investing in local innovation and opportunity
2. Bringing in solutions from other partners that can generate value
3. Layering in Occular’s math to ensure that the ecosystem is connected across human and financial capital. We do this through human capital exchanges, impact systems, and many other core algorithms.
“We work in a lot of places and with a lot of amazing partners, but we have an opportunity to show the world how we can create thriving ecosystems through math, clarity, and amazing humans in Pemba specifically as the showcase of what we can do”
— Cameron Henrion, Founder - Occular Institute
“I grew up here in Pemba and dreamt of creating jobs and a future for all those I work with daily. Through the Innovation Center we are already seeing lives changed and the beginning of something very critical and exciting to the future of Pemba”
— Berta Reis, Director - Occular Innovation Center Pemba
For more information about what we are doing, you can use the following links:
Occular.Institute to learn more about what we do
If you want to donate to this project specifically you can do so through our partner Hope For All Nations here
If you are interested in getting more information, you have solutions you may want to bring to the Institute to implement here, or you want to learn about the financial opportunities, please send an email to Olivia@Occular.co
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
Info@occular.co