Brilliant Ideas – ColaLife
Charmian Love
November 20, 2009
This is the first instalment of a regular blog series I’m launching tonight called ‘Brilliant Ideas’. In my role at Volans, the BEST part of my job is getting to know outstanding entrepreneurs around the world. These include some of my favourite models – Eako (transforming fire hose into high-end handbags), Red Redemption (video games that teach kids about climate change), Red Button Designs (and their innovative water transport and purification device), MyBnk (financial literacy programs for youth) – all ‘brilliant ideas’.
Tonight I met Simon Berry, who has come up with an ingenious device to deliver social products to developing communities…in partnership with Coca Cola. How does this relationship work?
Essentially Coca Cola would open up its distribution channels in developing countries by carrying things like oral rehydration tablet salts and high-dose Vitamin A tablets to those in rural villages. The solution is a simple wedge-shaped ‘Aid-Pod’ cardboard carrier that slides perfectly in cases of bottled cola that are already being delivered to these communities. The ColaLife packages piggyback Coca Cola’s existing delivery model, providing a means of getting critical medication to those who need it most. Brilliant. 
For more information, check out the ColaLife website.
