Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs

The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is a global network of 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 part of the Aspen Institute, an educational and policy studies organization.

There are, of course, many worthy approaches to poverty eradication and economic development. But ANDE members share the view that targeted support for SGBs represents the most effective way to create the kinds of jobs that can lift families, and entire nations, out of poverty. ANDE members support “the missing middle”—the small and growing businesses that are the engines of growth in emerging markets, and have the potential to address critical social and environmental challenges.

Launched with 34 members in 2009, ANDE now comprises more than 260 members who collectively operate in more than 150 countries. Members of ANDE include both for and nonprofit investment funds, capacity development providers, research and academic institutions, development finance institutions, foundations and corporations from around the world. Based in Washington, D.C. with several offices in emerging markets, the ANDE team works hard to support members globally, and locally, while building strong ecosystems for entrepreneurial growth. ANDE develops unique initiatives to address systemic challenges and seize opportunities that can only be approached through collective action.

Learn more at WWW.ANDEGLOBAL.ORG and subscribe to our newsletter.