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A Radical Bet on Simplicity and Affordability
In early 2025, massive funding cuts from USAID sent shockwaves through the global development sector, leaving many to wonder what would come next. The money was gone, but the problems remained. In this follow-up conversation, Dimagi Managing Directors Gillian Javetski and Ismaïla Diene rejoin the podcast to discuss the aftermath and the unexpected "diamonds" created from the pressure. They share how the crisis forced a pivot from large, custom-built projects to a new model centered on radical simplicity, focus, and affordability. This candid discussion explores the divergence happening among digital public goods, the necessity of sustainable business models, and why the most important question is no longer "what new feature can we build?" but "can we make the existing value radically cheaper?". Discover how this shift led Dimagi to a bold new offering: a national-scale community health information system (eCHIS) for just $5,000 a month—a fraction of the historical cost.
Related Resources:
What’s New in CommCare Webinar recording
The Next Generation Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) Deck
CommCare Provider program
Big Enough. Simple Enough. Cheap Enough by Kevin Starr in the Stanford Social Innovation Review
Sign up to our newsletter, and stay informed of Dimagi’s work
We are on social media - follow us for the latest from Dimagi: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube
If you enjoy this show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share your favorite episodes with friends.
Hosts: Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro
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By DimagiIn early 2025, massive funding cuts from USAID sent shockwaves through the global development sector, leaving many to wonder what would come next. The money was gone, but the problems remained. In this follow-up conversation, Dimagi Managing Directors Gillian Javetski and Ismaïla Diene rejoin the podcast to discuss the aftermath and the unexpected "diamonds" created from the pressure. They share how the crisis forced a pivot from large, custom-built projects to a new model centered on radical simplicity, focus, and affordability. This candid discussion explores the divergence happening among digital public goods, the necessity of sustainable business models, and why the most important question is no longer "what new feature can we build?" but "can we make the existing value radically cheaper?". Discover how this shift led Dimagi to a bold new offering: a national-scale community health information system (eCHIS) for just $5,000 a month—a fraction of the historical cost.
Related Resources:
What’s New in CommCare Webinar recording
The Next Generation Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) Deck
CommCare Provider program
Big Enough. Simple Enough. Cheap Enough by Kevin Starr in the Stanford Social Innovation Review
Sign up to our newsletter, and stay informed of Dimagi’s work
We are on social media - follow us for the latest from Dimagi: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube
If you enjoy this show, please leave us a 5-Star Review and share your favorite episodes with friends.
Hosts: Jonathan Jackson and Amie Vaccaro