Business development service (BDS) programmes, such as accelerators and incubators, are increasingly looked to as promising ways to help entrepreneurs enhance their business skills, expand their networks, and access investment. In Fiji, there is a small but quickly growing entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by over a dozen BDS programmes. This report seeks to characterize the BDS landscape and form recommendations for its continued growth based on international research and established best practices from other ecosystems across the globe.

In this report, the authors assess the practices of Fiji's BDS providers against the SCALE principles, a set of recommendations published in 2021 by the Argidius Foundation which reflect global best practices for BDS provision. This study identified a total of 21 BDS programmes in the Fijian ecosystem administered by 14 service providers, including eight accelerators, five incubators, and eight additional programmes such as co-working spaces, grantmaking facilities, and technical assistance. Based on desk research and interviews with programme managers, the authors assessed Fiji’s accelerator and incubator landscape as moderately applying the SCALE principles.

The key role of guarantees is to crowd in investors and open new markets. This is achieved by:

solving collateral deficiency challenges;
closing the gap between perceived and actual risk; and
absorbing portions of risk so that lenders can enter new markets with lower risk

However, guarantees are not a silver bullet to bypass credit processes e.g., business documentation (registration, business plans, financials, etc), nor do they serve as an exemption to finance unbankable deals. Measuring the effectiveness of guarantees is not standardized and the context of the guarantee (e.g., sector, region, lender) must be considered when comparing metrics such as utilization, catalyzed capital, or additionality. While the ultimate aim of guarantees is to be made redundant, this goal is unlikely to be met in the short term for agriculture as a sector and in SSA given the sector’s profile i.e., mainly fueled by smallholder farmers who are deemed risky because of informality, largely non-commercial farm models and the sector’s vulnerabilities resulting from climate risk. There are several opportunities for donors to support lending to agriculture across the value chain to build the market using an ecosystem approach to increase agri-lending.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are the cornerstone of the global transition towards sustainability. India's ambitious climate commitments make EVs not just an environmental imperative, but an economic opportunity. They represent our path to both decarbonization and energy independence, while providing opportunity to accelerate innovation and manufacturing.

This report comes at a crucial time when India's EV charging landscape is at an inflection point. The challenges we face are unique – from installing charging points in crowded urban areas to building networks that withstand everything from Rajasthan's heat to Kerala's monsoons. 'Charging Ahead-Part II' delves into the intricate interplay of policy, regulation, and industry trends shaping this crucial segment, providing cross-jurisdictional analysis that contextualizes India's efforts within a global framework. The insights from markets like California, Singapore, and the UK offer invaluable lessons for our path forward, from integrating renewable energy to deploying innovative business models. The collaboration between GameChanger Law Advisors and Speciale Invest in producing this report
exemplifies the interdisciplinary approach needed to build a sustainable future.

The OECD Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Diagnostics report introduces a novel framework and dataset to assess and compare entrepreneurial ecosystems across all 38 OECD countries. Rather than producing a single index to rank countries, the report adopts a multi dimensional approach based on three core components: inputs, outputs, and variation. Inputs cover ten essential elements—Institutions, Culture, Networks, Infrastructure, Markets, Finance, Knowledge, Talent, Leadership, and Intermediate Services—captured through composite indexes built from about 40 indicators drawn from OECD statistics and other sources. Outputs reflect entrepreneurial performance, with indicators such as startup rates and business survival. The variation dimension measures how entrepreneurship is distributed socially and regionally, with attention to inclusivity, particularly for women and distribution of startups across regions. Each dimension is tracked at three time points to monitor ecosystem evolution and progress. Designed as a policy support tool, the report provides robust, evidence based insights to identify systemic bottlenecks and guide national strategies. It aims at facilitating informed dialogue and targeted policy action to build dynamic and balanced national entrepreneurial ecosystems. Released as a pilot, this first edition lays the foundation for future iterations, with continued refinement of data and analytical depth to enhance its relevance and impact.

With support from the Vitol Foundation, ANDE is pleased to launch the Mozambique Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Map, a new tool designed to improve connectivity within the entrepreneurial landscape across the country.

This essential resource includes a filterable web directory of the diverse ecosystem players in South Africa, including investors, entrepreneur support organizations, academic institutions, donors, and more.

The map is available in English and Portuguese.

This report draws on the extensive experience of Elevar Equity, which has helped in conceiving the concept of Entrepreneurial Households (EHs). While observing underserved and under-appreciated households and working with approximately 50 companies, Elevar Equity identified the EH archetype. These households exhibit an enterprise-like economic model, combining multiple income sources into significant cash outflows, impacting both long and short-term prosperity.  This report was commissioned to validate over a decade’s worth of ground up observations. The Range Analysis of CTV Estimates was specifically undertaken to allow for some sensitivity analysis, given multiple variables involved in this market sizing estimate. We expect this to evolve over time as richer data sources emerge. Irrespective of the exact numbers, the focus of this report is on the commercial readiness of this market from a business and investment standpoint. praxisga.com A distinctive feature of EHs is their substantial Household Transaction Value (HTV), which better represents their economic vitality, compared to mere income levels. This vitality is also evident in their asset ownership patterns and aspirations, particularly in their substantial investment in High Priority Goods and Services (HPGS) like education, healthcare, financial services, housing, and business activities.

The global impact landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by the urgent need to address climate change, social inequality, and sustainable economic development. As capital markets increasingly integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, impact investing has transitioned from a niche practice to a mainstream investment strategy. Governments, financial institutions, and private investors are aligning their capital with measurable social and environmental outcomes, fostering a more inclusive impact economy.

This report is intended to inform investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders by providing actionable insights to accelerate capital deployment and drive systemic change. It highlights how impact investing is evolving across diverse country contexts - not only in developed markets, but also in emerging and developing economies, where local and international actors are co-creating ecosystems. Rather than ranking ecosystems or generating a scoreboard, the report aims to serve as an ecosystem learning tool and to build confidence in local actors and initiatives.

 This initiative reflects Heifer International's ongoing dedication to developing impactful solutions for Nepal's smallholder farmers and women-led agri-enterprises. The study's primary objective was to assess and strengthen the impact of the investment landscape in Nepal, fostering increased financial support and growth opportunities for these vital sectors.

The report highlights several critical insights into the current status of impact investment in Nepal. First, it underscores the challenges that need to be addressed to attract potential and interested impact investors to the region. These challenges include regulatory hurdles, a lack of investor confidence, and limited access to reliable market data. Second, the study identifies strategies to unlock more capital for impact-oriented initiatives. These strategies encompass enhancing financial and investment literacy, improving transparency and governance within agribusinesses and cooperatives, and fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors to create a more conducive investment environment. Furthermore, consulted financial institutions shared several critical challenges hindering Nepal’s agriculture sector investment. The commodity value chains lack clear and distinct opportunities for targeted interventions. There is a significant shortage of bankable projects, as most farmers and agribusinesses—aside from a few large companies—struggle to develop compelling, investment-ready proposals. Existing policies need urgent reform to foster greater private sector participation and unlock the sector's full potential. 

This study offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of impact capital in Malaysia. This project was initiated as an advocacy tool to help grow the impact investment movement in the country and foster meaningful conversations. While global interest in impact investing has surged, Malaysia’s ecosystem remains nascent yet brimming with potential. Our goal is to share the collective thoughts of key impact capital providers, giving you a clearer picture of where we are and where we’re headed.

Whether you’re just starting your journey in impact investing or are already making strides, our findings aim to reassure you that you’re part of a larger movement.

Our findings are accessible to all as we hope to inspire coordinated efforts that optimise resources, drive innovation, and ultimately transform the landscape of impact investing in Malaysia.

The report summarizes key insights from the “Access to Green Finance – Sustainability Stars” event, which brought together investors, corporates, Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs), and Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) to explore catalytic finance solutions in India’s green economy, particularly in waste management and circularity.

Vietnam’s private capital market is entering a new phase of maturity, driven by strong macro fundamentals, digital acceleration, and investor optimism.

The Vietnam Innovation and Private Capital Report 2025, co-authored by Vietnam Private Capital Agency, National Innovation Center, and BCG, provides a comprehensive look at the trends shaping venture capital and private equity across one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies.

Despite a global capital slowdown, Vietnam attracted $2.3B across 141 deals in 2024, signaling sustained investor confidence. The report explores key sectors including AI, energy, healthcare and education, and the impact of national reforms such as Resolution 57 on innovation and sustainability. With rising digital adoption, a growing middle class, and targeted government support, Vietnam offers compelling opportunities for investors and business leaders seeking long-term growth in the region.

Women leaders have shown promise in improving business performance. A survey by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2019 – covering shopkeeping, sales or trade activities, manufacturing, construction, education, financial/insurance activities, and other economic services – observed that when enterprises have a gender-inclusive business culture and policies, they experienced 63 per cent increase in business productivity and profitability. Additionally, 60 per cent enhancement in the ability to attract and retain talent and a 59 per cent improvement in creativity, innovation and openness (ILO 2019).

Furthermore, globally, funders and investors are increasingly attracted to ethical and gender-inclusive funding, recognising its dual benefits to business and society. With a gender-smart approach, you can seize the opportunity to access the pool of funding by showcasing its tangible impact on gender-related outcomes, effectively aligning its initiatives with the evolving priorities of the investment landscape. Thus, by breaking down gender barriers, you can access diverse skills and expertise, strengthening your workforce and overall competitiveness.