In early 2006, Kevin Woolley moved to Santiago, Chile. It was a visceral decision grounded in a lifelong desire to live abroad. While travelling in neighboring countries, he was struck by the natural beauty, cultural wealth, and persistent challenges to economic and social development. Even though foreign investment was flowing into the region and middle classes were ostensibly growing, lower income segments of society still lacked clean water, basic medical care, nutrition, and education. In early 2009, the concept for Altiplano Ventures evolved from these observations. Specifically, how can we create markets for products that improve the lives of the poor?

Altiplano Ventures is a US-based nonprofit that operates in South America. Its mission is to stimulate social and economic development by maximizing the distribution of products that alleviate poverty. Altiplano Ventures divides its activities into two categories, product distribution and investments.  As part of its product distribution activities, Altiplano Ventures selects a product or technology, distributes it within impoverished communities, educates community members about the proper use of a product, and monitors a product’s long-term impact within each community. As part of its investment activities, Altiplano Ventures provides capital and support to local manufacturers of selected products.

Currently, Altiplano Ventures is focused on increasing the distribution of household ceramic water filter technology in Peru, a proven low-cost solution with the potential to dramatically increase access to clean drinking water and reduce waterborne illnesses. Altiplano Ventures continuously evaluates new products and technologies that provide communities with the basic tools they need to emerge from poverty.