This research explores the intersectional challenges affecting women micro-, small- and medium-
sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in their access to financial products and services, and subsequent
investment from financial institutions (FIs). Building on the previous studies of the challenges of
women entrepreneurs (WEs) in accessing finance and gender lens investing landscape in Cambodia,
this research further discusses intersectional approaches in examining the barriers to financial
service by understanding the lived experiences of women MSMEs founders who come from different
backgrounds. Using a Feminist Action Research methodology with 6 women entrepreneurs (1 woman
with disability) as the lead data collectors, the study was conducted with 95 women MSMEs (2
LGBTQIA+, 10 women with disabilities) and 3 key informants in Phnom Penh and Battambang,
between urban and rural demographics.

The study showed that diverse experiences and backgrounds of WEs - including age, ability status,
religion, family composition, and sexual orientation - affect their access to financial services and
expansion of their business activities. Emphasising the lived experiences of women entrepreneurs, a
power dynamics analysis was conducted using the ‘Gender at Work’ tool to provide recommendations
that would enable the products and services offered FIs to be designed in a way that enables diverse
WEs to formalise, scale, and create impact, which also makes them more attractive as pipeline
companies to investors. As the focus of this study was predominantly on the perceptions of WEs, it
is recommended that studying FIs is a priority for future research to explore their initiatives and any
gender-inclusive frameworks that address the intersectional experiences of WEs.

The adoption of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards is relevant not only because investors are more inclined to consider them in their investment decisions but also due to their potential positive impact on sustainable development. While ESG implementation is still mostly voluntary, governments around the world are increasingly integrating these standards into their legal frameworks. Thus, understanding how the law supports ESG adoption becomes essential. However, the law alone is not sufficient to ensure that companies apply these standards. Investment is also needed to guarantee that the impact of ESG practices is long-lasting. In this paper we present our findings on how legal frameworks of 10 countries support ESG standards implementation, and what funding alternatives are available, particularly to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

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.

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 guide aims to help Indian researchers and
inventors turn their ideas into reality. It outlines
the tough but exciting process of bringing new
ideas to market through the creation of a new
company. It is particularly tailored towards
inventors working in research institutions, such
as universities and public research laboratories,
but may also benefit a range of other
individuals who wish to build new ventures.

The document is based in part on surveys and
interviews with Indian academic entrepreneurs and
investors.

The structure follows the sequence that is
typically required for a spinout: deciding if an idea has
potential; planning the business; forming the business;
and then scaling it. However, since every spinout is
different, some parts will likely be more relevant to you
than others. Inevitably, the guide can only provide a
high-level overview, and so links to further resources
are provided in the appendix and in footnotes.

In her 2019 budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Social Stock Exchange initiative, which has since attracted considerable attention in the development sphere. Designed to foster inclusivity and adaptability within capital markets, India launched its Social Stock Exchange, the fourth functioning exchange in the world.

The Social Stock Exchange challenges the issue of inconsistent funding and transparency, by connecting Not-for-Profit Organisations (NPOs) with socially conscious investors through various financial instruments. The exchange serves as a centralised hub for channelling resources to social enterprises and fostering impactful development initiatives. This is facilitated by deploying consistent funding frameworks, diversifying funding sources, and enhancing impact measurement, disclosure, and reporting practices. Through promoting transparency, the exchange cultivates a disclosure-driven ecosystem, guiding stakeholders towards mutual progress. Registering and listing on this exchange can be an intimidating process.

This toolkit aims to equip NPOs with the essential knowledge and resources to navigate the SSE framework through a step-by-step approach. Leveraging insights from Unnati Foundation, the first NPO to get listed on the SSE platform, we segment the NPO’s journey from registration to successful listing into four phases. Each phase aids in understanding compliance requirements, forging partnerships, and embracing best practices

The Mastercard Strive initiative, in partnership with Business Fights Poverty, convened over 50 stakeholders to explore how to empower small businesses through digital solutions. The discussion focused on three areas: artificial intelligence and automation, access to finance and capital, and climate resilience and sustainability. This report highlights the five overreaching insights that this convening outlined that spans across all three areas to form a framework of principles that empower organisations looking to better support small businesses to navigate climate disruptions and economic uncertainties