We’ve all been there! You need to talk to users, but the budget says, “Good luck”. Here’s how to 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 recruit the right people anyway. Scrappy, smart, and field-tested. #ux #research #uxr #uxresearch #leanresearch #Tips #participantrecruitment #researchtips

Venture debt demand rises as firms delay IPOs Private companies are staying private longer. That’s pushing more of them toward growth and venture debt. In the U.S., these loans totaled $35B in 2024. Europe hit €17B, growing over 25% YoY. Average deal sizes there rose to €1.7M, showing a maturing market. The appeal is clear. Capital without dilution. Flexibility in drawdown. Predictability in returns. Plus, lenders benefit from senior-secured terms, equity kickers, and monthly cash flows. What’s changed is the lender landscape. After regional banks stepped back in 2023, private debt managers filled the gap. Today, they’re better placed to negotiate terms and structure loans with downside protection. This shift matters. Especially in Europe, where fragmentation and legal complexity keep barriers high. Local relationships now mean more than balance sheet size. The macro forces are also aligned. Equity is expensive. Market exits are delayed. And investors still have dry powder to deploy. That makes venture debt a practical bridge—and a strategic one. #LeanResearch #VentureDebt #PrivateEquity #GrowthCapital #StartupFunding #TechFunding #AlternativeFinancing #PrivateDebt #VentureCapital

I am speaking at the USAID Higher Education Global Evidence Summit on achievements and lessons from ⁦@Ashesi⁩ ‘s collaboration with ⁦⁦@dlab_mit⁩ on⁩ #leanresearch with support from ⁦@GlobalDevLab⁩. Check out my talk #HEGlobalSummit - via #Whova event app

Check out the most cited @IJMR_BAM literature review papers in the last five year #crowdsourcing #familyfirms #leanresearch #customerexperience #ISO14001 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page…

Here, I share a few thoughts on how we can intentionally research, design, & pilot solutions with and for the user. Implementation may not be the problem. Call it street lessons. #Friday medium.com/@pauline.adjei/re… @Acumen @AshesiDesign #DesignThinking #LeanResearch

Wondering how practical Lean Research is? Swipe left to learn how @ZKawiyu and his team applied lean research to their project aimed at improving drying methods of vegetables in N.Ghana. #NEXTi2i #AshesiVinc #AshesiEntShip #LeanResearch

"Our team was not the first to pursue and tackle a project in this field. Nevertheless, little emphasis is placed on the needs assessment of prospective participants who are the vulnerable group" - @SasuMarkAnim #NEXTi2i #AshesiVinc #AshesiEntShip #LeanResearch

Wondering how LeanResearch has been applied in the Ghanaian Context? Here is an example from @ZKawiyu "Lean Research provided guidelines for the team on how to work with respondents from low income backgrounds and from different communities" #NEXTi2i #AshesiVinc #AshesiEntShip.

Ever wondered what sets #leanresearch apart from the traditional research you may be used to? @paulinadjei of @ActionAidGhana expresses that "Lean research goes to complement rather than eliminating entirely the traditional research methodology" bit.ly/MoreAboutLeanResearch #NEXTi2i

Want to boost biz in emerging markets? @baylor_314 says harness #LeanResearch to show impact and measure change. Read our case study with @dlab_mit to find out how 3 #socent firms did it.

Join us on our Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram channels @NEXTi2i on Wednesdays as we share insights from the experiences of some professionals and some tips on lean research. Don't forget to like, share and comment if you have any questions. #leanresearch #NEXTi2i #AshesiVinc

Applying the Lean startup principles to consumer research in the CPG industry is exceptionally useful – learn how you can use MVPs and virtual shopping for fast and cost-effective insights: bit.ly/388jLNt #leanstartup #leanresearch #behavioralresearch

The goal for the TOT session is to help participants become knowledgeable in Lean Research with great facilitation skills. #NEXTi2i #AshesiVinc #AshesiEntShip #Leanresearch @dlab_mit @GlobalDevLab @Ashesi @Ziyyakartu @KlassicSimon @komla_dzidefo @danjoachim @drkwakuakowuah

This is how we wrapped up the fifth edition of the Lean Research workshop organized by #NEXTi2i at @Ashesi Ashesi. Special thank you to all participants for making time to be part of the session. #NEXTi2i #AshesiVinc #AshesiEntShip #Leanresearch @dlab_mit @GlobalDevLab

During the Lean Research workshop organized yesterday at Ashesi, participants developed skits based on some challenges they identified in conducting research. Here are a few in the ff thread. #NEXTi2i #AshesiVinc #AshesiEntShip #Leanresearch

Off to a great start this morning with our Training of Trainers' session for the Lean Research workshop organised by #NEXTi2i this morning at Ashesi University #AshesiEntShip #LeanResearch #AshesiVinc @GideonBrefo

Today is the fifth session of the Lean Research workshop for the year on the topic “How to Take a Lean Approach to the Design and Execution of Research.” at @Ashesi #leanResearch #NEXTi2i #AshesiVinc #AshesiEntShip @dlab_MIT @Globaldevlab

We are at the lean research workshop @Ashesi organised by @dlab_mit We are including the principles of lean research in our work with inmates of camps for women accused of witchcraft. #leanresearch #nexti2i #aamwGhana #capacitybuilding @FRIDAfund

If you missed last year’s interaction with lean research co-founder, Kendra Leith, Associate Dir. for Research at @dlab_mit, apply now for this year’s session at bit.ly/LeanRW. See you on the 10th at @Ashesi. #NEXTi2i #LeanResearch #AshesiEntShip

Another information-packed session with @kendraleith, Associate Dir. for Research at @dlab_mit, comes your way on 10th Dec @Ashesi. Topic: How to Take a Lean Approach to the Design and Execution of Research. To apply: bit.ly/LeanRW #NEXTi2i #LeanResearch #AshesiEntShip