Frugal Innovation Hub

The Frugal Innovation Hub is sponsored by the School of Engineering (SoE) and directed by Silvia Figueira (Associate Professor of Computer Engineering). Since its inception in April 2012, the Frugal Innovation Hub has flourished and continues to burgeon. Closely partnered with international and local companies and organizations, the Frugal Innovation Hub aim to scale the impact of social enterprises worldwide.

Frugal innovation is a process of problem solving—and a game-changing strategy—that addresses the need for products and services in emerging, underdeveloped countries. Features of frugal innovation include ruggedization, simplification, sparing use of low-cost raw materials, an emphasis on earth-friendly practices, and a philosophy that favors “doing more with less” in creating compassionate, user-centric design.

Emerging markets—consumers who are quickly moving out of poverty in nations such as China, Africa, India, and Brazil— are expected to account for 70 percent of the world’s economic growth over the next few years. Today’s emerging markets comprise 50 percent of the market for Fortune 500s, generating close to 50 percent of their revenues.

Frugal innovation is strongly tied to social justice, but it’s not just about students doing good. It is a holistic approach that is at the intersection of altruism with the bottom line. As these technologies find their way to the mature markets of the West, they will fundamentally reshape the global economy.

With the vibrancy of emerging-market growth, the School of Engineering’s Frugal Innovation Hub meets this new paradigm head-on by offering undergraduate and graduate courses, hosting student and faculty research projects, and partnering with field-based social entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Impactful work is being done in simple yet powerful ways.

Projects range from designs and prototypes to implemented and utilized products and services. Students learn within the lab as well as interact with field-based social entrepreneurs and global partners to solve real-world problems.
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