Ecosystem Snapshots will share census-like information about the organizations investing in and supporting small and growing businesses around the world
Contact:
Stephanie Buck
Stephanie.Buck@aspeninstitute.org
202-736-3548
Washington, D.C., August 8, 2018 — The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) today launched an online Ecosystem Snapshots platform—a visual display of the financial and nonfinancial support that organizations provide for entrepreneurs—for select emerging market economies. The goal of the Ecosystem Snapshots site (ecosystems.andeglobal.org) is to identify gaps and opportunities for the small and growing business sector.
Snapshots provide an in-depth look at the web of support for entrepreneurs. These are point-in-time estimates of an entrepreneurial ecosystem within a specific city or country. Data gathered identifies key stakeholders, distinguishes if they provide financial or nonfinancial services, and matches the type of intervention with the corresponding stage of company growth. Visitors can view a summary or overview of specific regions, gain a deeper understanding of specific challenges and opportunities to overcome constraints, and more. The platform then integrates the data specifically tailored by the user and produces a complete picture or “snapshot.”
Current accessible snapshots include Ghana and Ethiopia. ANDE plans to complete four additional snapshots for countries within Sub-Saharan Africa and one in Myanmar. ANDE is calling for contributors to help build complete snapshots for Myanmar via a survey that will open August 27th and will release the final survey results of the following cities and countries in late October 2018: Gauteng, South Africa; Ibadan, Nigeria; Port Harcourt, Nigeria; and Rwanda. Survey participants may include both ANDE members and non-members, and participants can contribute here: ecosystems.andeglobal.org/contribute.
“Every entrepreneurial ecosystem faces unique challenges. We understand that the quality of the broader ecosystem can deeply impact an entrepreneur’s ability to access talent, finance, and markets. Our hope is that this tool can help key ecosystem stakeholders to recognize—and address—gaps and opportunities in their home regions. Long-term entrepreneurial success depends on it,” said ANDE’s Executive Director Randall Kempner.
This project is supported by The Department for International Development (DFID) Impact Programme, a UK government-led initiative.
The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is a global network of more than 280 organizations that propel entrepreneurship in emerging markets. ANDE members provide critical financial, educational, and business support services to small and growing businesses (SGBs) based on the conviction that SGBs will create jobs, stimulate long-term economic growth, and produce environmental and social benefits. Ultimately, we believe that SGBs can help lift countries out of poverty. ANDE is a program of the Aspen Institute. For more information, go to www.andeglobal.org.
The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.