TEL: Technology Exchange Lab

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes up the TEL Community?

All our members, Solution Providers, TEL partners, contributors and supporters, seekers and end users of solutions, Forum voices, volunteers and research staff.

Who can add solutions to TEL?

Anyone who has joined as a member may add solutions to the TEL database. Membership is free, quick and easy, and open to all. By logging in and clicking on Add a Solution you can access an Intake Form that records your basic details about the solution: for example, what it is and does, a photo if possible, some history, a rough idea of cost, and who to contact for further information on the technology and how to get it. The TEL Tech Team reviews all submissions before publishing them in the database.

What are the benefits of joining TEL as a Member?

Anyone can visit the TEL website and browse topics in the Forum and seek solutions in the database. Only members can add solutions to the database, and contribute threads, comments or questions in the Forum. Future additional benefits will include TEL's membership newsletter, with plans for future actions and bulletins from labs and the field on fresh developments in high-impact technologies against poverty.

Who makes up the TEL Tech Team?

We are a small, dedicated team of volunteers, consultants and researchers. Most of us have scientific backgrounds and advanced degrees. We actively reach out to solution providers and curate and help populate the TEL Solution Database. We welcome you to meet our team, and please contact us if you'd like to join us!

What does point-of-use mean?

Point-of-use stands in sharp contrast to larger, centralized and usually costly systems that deliver benefits from a distance. In talking about solutions to poverty, point-of-use implies portability, flexibility, ease of implementation and, more often than not, low cost.

Who might be the typical end-users of TEL solutions?

Solution users range from large international non-profits to local initiatives to individuals who either use the solution to improve the well-being of themselves and their family, or as boot-strap entrepreneurs in their region or neighborhood.

Who can post messages on the Forum?

Anyone logged in as a Member can start and/or comment on discussions in the Forum.

How can TEL help me find and purchase solutions?

By searching or browsing TEL's database of solutions, you can find a variety of products, methods and resources. The acquisition of a solution must be done through an owner or supplier of that solution. Appropriate contact information can be found in the TEL database on the individual solution page. TEL does not assist with, profit from nor facilitate any commercial transactions.

I am in the micro-finance sector. Can TEL help me to identify high-impact projects with manageable risk?

We'd be glad to explore some promising options with you. Drop a note to initiate a personal exchange with one of the Directors.

I want to change or update information about a solution I've already contributed to the TEL database. Can I edit my solution entry?

Modifications of solution information published to TEL's curated database can only be modified by the TEL Tech Team. If you need your solution description to be modified, updated or deleted, please contact us. The Tech Team will respond promptly to your request, or, if there are many modifications involved, you can fill out a new Intake Form for the Solution and ask us to post this and to delete the previous entry.

What is the difference between being a Solution Provider and a TEL Partner?

Partners are people and organizations working directly in the field of poverty reduction, and collaborating with TEL to either innovate, or to propagate solutions. Providers upload solutions to the data base. People can be either Partners or Solution Providers, or both.

How is TEL funded?

TEL is an IRS 501(c)3 charitable corporation. We don't sell goods or services. We do not accept any commission for the services we provide. TEL is a bootstrap operation funded and supported entirely by volunteer time and Supporter donations of funds and administrative support services. Currently our Supporters are all private sector parties convinced of the value of propagating high-impact, low-cost solutions to poverty.

Does TEL ever invest for financial gain in the development or sale of solutions to problems of poverty?

No.

How are solutions selected for the Spotlight?

Solutions featured in TEL's Solution Spotlight are updated frequently according to set criteria that look for promise, performance and relevance to the TEL community. Solution Spotlights are checked by the TEL Tech Team for credibility through preliminary results published in reliable sources such as academic journals as well as direct feedback.

Solutions Spotlights are not selected on the basis of contributions to TEL, financial or otherwise.

How can I, or my organization, become a major Supporter of TEL, as featured on the website home page?

Just send us a note to initiate a personal conversation with one of the Directors.

How can I make a personal, direct donation?

Currently, you can contact us directly for details on how to make a tax-deductible donation. We are evaluating opening an on-line donation option.

How does TEL operate? How are decisions made? How is the nonprofit executive board structured?

TEL is incorporated as a non-profit charity in California, under that State's laws regulating corporate organization and executive and staff compensation. We are currently structuring an Advisory Board. The founder-directors who constitute the executive board and the CEO receive no compensation. TEL's work style is cooperative rather than hierarchical. We rely on the effort, input and ideas of our volunteers, student- and post-graduate research interns, and members. We welcome hearing from anyone interested in participating, and we will respond to all queries.

How do you assess TEL's impact on the innovation and propagation of solutions?

We are developing a number of ideas toward tracking impact and effectiveness that will go beyond standard site visit analysis, valuable as this is. Although TEL is in an early stage, a number of inventors and innovators who have already discovered TEL have expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to post their inventions and solutions.

What geographical areas has TEL interacted with and how?

Recent solution providers, correspondents and site users are located in India, Vietnam, Rwanda, Indonesia, China, Brazil and the former SSRs, among other countries and regions.

What organizations has TEL collaborated with recently?

Our direct contacts and collaborators include people from:
MIT Media Lab
MIT Development Lab
Water for Billions [?] (MIT based)
MIT Sloan School
Aprovecho Research Center
PATH
Partners in Health
The Boston Consulting Group

Are there other ways to engage in the TEL community besides the Forum?

TEL is currently developing social media presence that will offer options for interaction among TEL community members. Currently, you can converse with TEL community members via the Forum, contact solution owners or suppliers via the information provided in the Solution Descriptions and contact TEL via email.

Where is TEL located?

The TEL Team works together daily via Internet and telecommunications. We catch up in person frequently where and as our travel schedules permit. Team members are currently based in Cambridge, MA; Washington, DC; Paris, France; Berkeley, CA; and New York City. Our mailing address is:

Technology Exchange Lab
P.O. Box 425907
Cambridge, MA 02142
USA

How can I get answers to additional questions?

You can send an email to our Tech Team or management.