The Aspen Institute

This document, whose development has been funded with the additional support of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) program, summarizes the experience and lessons of six Scale Academy members with substantial focus on business development services. Business development services is the term used to define the full array of non-financial services offered by microenterprise development organizations to those who seek their services. Designed to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, they include training and technical assistance, but also coaching and mentoring, financial literacy, access to market services, and many others. Representatives of these organizations have engaged in a yearlong peer process exchanging their experiences and reflecting on the lessons that emerge.