The Mitt Romney-cofounded private equity firm might be a symbol of corporate greed in a fierce political season, but its investment division, Bain Capital Ventures, helped fund companies you probably patronize all the time.

As robots enter the workplace, it seems likely that soon enough we'll be building robots-only factories, hostile to humans. This and other robot news in our weekly round-up.

For every business chasing the next must-have tech to stay ahead of the game, there are dozens reaching and failing to beat the competition. How can you choose the right strategy? The former director of Kiva shares what she's putting into practice at RelayRides.

Japan used to be a leader in tech innovation. But no more. A new program is trying to help young entrepreneurs get their groove back.

Using capitalism instead of just giving aid was the focus of the latest eBay/Ashoka contest. Here are the most interesting and exciting winners.

The eBay-owned micro-investment vehicle is coming to the United States, starting with California's Freshworks Fund. If you have a few bucks, you can make some money while eradicating food deserts.

Building off its incredible success funding entrepreneurs in the developing world, the microloan company has turned its eye toward America, where it is giving loans in cities like New Orleans and Detroit.

The company is now the biggest name in microlending. Watch its meteoric rise, from sending just a few loans to one African entrepreneur to moving hundreds of millions of dollars of capital around the world.

The heads of Kiva, Guidestar, BRAC, Wikimedia Foundation, DonorsChoose, Ushahidi, Refugees United, and others of their peers, will convene this week at the Omidyar Network Executive Forum (ONEF). As Sal Giambanco, Partner, Omidyar Network (ON) told me, this is ON's "signature event of the year that focuses on leadership."

Up until now, there has been no mechanism for Kiva users to find entrepreneurs who want money specifically to transition to clean energy. Enter Kiva Green Loans.