The draft agenda is here. Be ready to be inspired by its topics—a sneak peek into the future of the small and growing business sector.
The Waste & Circularity Investment Innovation Fund awards $300,000 to two Indian organizations.
Big Ideas for Small Business: Exploring Bangkok SGB Ecosystem
Impact Entrepreneurship in Bangkok: A Force for Good, Driving Social and Environmental Change.
Bangkok: A Rising Tech Hub in Southeast Asia
The grant is part of a larger project by TPF to enhance impact data, metrics, and measurement to foster a more equitable and sustainable economic system.
A sneak peek into the next Big Ideas for Small Business and our roadmap to entrepreneurial Future.
Connect with fellow changemakers, spark collaboration, and celebrate the power of entrepreneurship at our Halcyon reception on July 18th!
Kate Cochran to Step Down as CEO and seasoned Shruti Goel and AB Chakravarthy steped in to co-lead the organization.
Guillaume Bonnel on SIFI's mission to accelerate the mobilization of private sector capital for the achievement of the SDGs in developing countries.
Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) are crucial for economic growth but often lack access to financing. Discover how Business Development Services (BDS) equip these enterprises with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive, fueling sustainable development and creating jobs.
Learn how their ethical investments are transforming Southeast Asia and creating a brighter, more equitable future.
The 2024 "Sustainable Signals" reports 77% of investors seek investments considering positive social or environmental impact.
ANDE, in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, launched the second phase of its initiative supporting green entrepreneurship in India and Kenya.
Since its founding in 2009, the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) has tracked the state of the small and growing business (SGB) sector globally through its bi-annual State of the Sector reports. One of the most dynamic markets for small business growth is South Africa. The South African entrepreneurial ecosystem requires innovative solutions to increase the available finance, improve access to markets, reduce bureaucratic burdens, and strengthen the capacity of small businesses and start-ups. This report examines the state of the SGB sector in South Africa as of 2023 by assessing the amount and type of financial support available to enterprises, the type of capacity development offered, and trends in the policy landscape that affect the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The report concludes by highlighting the activity of ANDE and its member
"The report delves into the effectiveness and impact of various business support initiatives, employing rigorous research methodologies such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The key topics covered include the effectiveness of accelerator programs, talent acquisition for SMEs, recordkeeping and data collection, impact measurement and management (IMM) frameworks, and support for women-led businesses. It also offers valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs to make informed decisions, fostering sustainable growth and success within the business ecosystem. Recommendations underscore the importance of evidence-backed practices for talent acquisition, recordkeeping, and gender-sensitive approaches to support women entrepreneurs."
"The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) launched the Advancing Women’s Empowerment Fund (AWEF) in 2019 with support from the Visa Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The overall goal of AWEF-funded projects is to address the gender financing gap for women-owned small and growing businesses (SGBs) in developing economies. The first round of grantmaking, AWEF Asia, funded eight entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) in Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Pakistan, and India, as well as programs serving the region as a whole. This report summarizes the lessons learned from these grants."