NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

This panel discussion will explore how impact investment in small businesses can drive economic growth in the Eurasia region, where growth capital combined with technical assistance has the potential to deliver both financial and social returns. The discussion will attract a cross-section of representatives from international finance and development, asset owners, policy makers, corporate leaders, and the organizations that provide financial, technical, and business support services to small and growing businesses.

A reception following the discussion will celebrate the launch of Gazelle Finance, an investment fund seeded by Eurasia Foundation that facilitates growth capital and enhanced prosperity for small and growing businesses and their communities.

Join the ELAN and Ronald Rwakigumba and Elisabeth Robertson from Mercy Corps Uganda for a webinar to learn about their program using electronic vouchers to subsidize agricultural inputs to support agricultural input dealers and farmers. The program partnered with Innovate More to provide e-vouchers redeemed through USSD codes to more than 30,000 people.

Speakers will share their experiences and program insights on:

• How e-vouchers (and e-money payments from Mercy Corps) enabled more in-depth support to agricultural input dealers
• Developing interactive training for agro dealers including digital literacy fundamentals
• Creating and adapting USSD menus and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) support