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Viewpoint: The Race Against Economic Inequality Within Emerging Markets – a Case for SMEs
One of the great challenges of the 21st Century is the need to reduce poverty levels and economic inequality globally. Economic growth is the most powerful tool for reducing poverty and improving the quality of life in developing countries.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Investing
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Retailo Raises $2.3 Million in Seed Round To Boost Financial Inclusion
Retailo, the Riyadh-based B2B eCommerce startup, has announced $2.3 million of funding in a pre-seed round to go toward boosting small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the Middle East, according to a press release.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
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Can Agile Fintech Startups Be the Answer To Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Crisis?
COVID-19 lockdowns have threatened small and medium enterprises and vulnerable families around the world. And as Malika Anand and Michelle Hassan at BFA Global point out, inclusive fintech startups are often better-placed than aid agencies to support communities and businesses in urban settlements during the pandemic. They explore how one innovative startup, Sokowatch, has developed a quick and effective way to fight food insecurity in Kibera, Nairobi – while also supporting small local retailers.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship, Finance
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Flipping the Script: Why Small and Growing Businesses Should Lead the Researchers – Not the Other Way Around
All too often, global development research hinges on the interest of researchers, rather than the knowledge needs of small and growing businesses and their impacted communities. This can leave entrepreneurs with plenty of reports, but no practical tools for continuing to collect and use data themselves. Analysts at the William Davidson Institute, Gente Del Futuro, Practical Action and ANDE propose a better approach: letting small businesses lead the way.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Technology
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A Guide To Angel Investing During COVID-19: Eight Tips for Investors in East Africa
In East Africa, the COVID-19 crisis is causing far-reaching consequences for small and medium-sized enterprises. And according to analysts at Intellecap and Viktoria Ventures, much of the burden of ensuring these businesses' short-term survival lies with angel investors. They share some practical considerations that can help these investors navigate the many challenges of the pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship, Investing
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A New Status Quo for Workers: Shaping A Good Jobs Recovery from COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic wiped out 30 million jobs in the U.S. in the first four months, and an estimated 120 million jobs in India. As the U.S. celebrates Labor Day, Bulbul Gupta at Pacific Community Ventures and Sachi Shenoy at Upaya Social Ventures argue that recovery from this crisis will require more than a return to the pre-COVID status quo. It will require impact investors, business leaders, governments and others to create "the kinds of jobs that uplift their communities to a better tomorrow."
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship, Investing
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The Network Effect: How Enterprise Support Organizations are Coming Together to Help Youth-Led Businesses Survive COVID-19
The economic fallout of COVID-19 has taken a devastating toll on micro, small and medium enterprises, and youth-led businesses are particularly vulnerable. But as Anita Tiessen at Youth Business International explains, the crisis also presents opportunities for these enterprises. She discusses some key ways to help young entrepreneurs emerge stronger from the pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship
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Financing “Missing Middle” Enterprises in the Age of COVID-19: Leveraging Nontraditional Finance Pathways in Emerging Markets
COVID-19 has made access to capital for small and growing businesses in emerging markets more essential than ever. But according to Julia Kho at Triple Jump and Kusi Hornberger at Dalberg Advisors, these businesses have very different crisis-related financing needs. They explore how finance providers can understand these diverse needs and identify the best approaches to fill them.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship, Investing
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