Small and growing businesses (SGBs) are defined by ANDE as commercially viable businesses with five to 250 employees that have significant potential and ambition for growth. Typically, SGBs seek growth capital from USD $20,000 to $2 million.

SGBs differ from the more traditional characterization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in two fundamental ways. First, SGBs are different from livelihood-sustaining small businesses, which start small and are designed to stay that way. Second, unlike many medium-sized companies, SGBs often lack access to the financial and knowledge resources required for growth.

SGBs do more than create jobs. They create goods and services that benefit all sectors of society. They create shared prosperity, which is essential to the growth of the middle class. SGBs also promote inclusive and sustainable economies, create a pro-growth business environment and instill a spirit of entrepreneurship that can transform the economic infrastructure of developing nations. Moreover, they provide a platform for sustained growth that can help emerging economies achieve their long-term economic goals.

There is no silver bullet to fighting poverty. However, the value of SGBs should not be overlooked. Successfully supporting SGBs requires cultivating entrepreneurial ecosystems throughout developing economies. ANDE is dedicated to doing just that by building a thriving network of people and organizations and supporting them through policy and program initiatives.