$1.5 Billion Invested In New Forms of Business in Emerging Markets ~ no title

Ande ANDE (the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs) released their second annual impact report, noting the growth in the small and growing businesses sector. There are 31 new investment funds targeting SGBs in emerging markets, besides there being 110 member organizations in the network.

The 110 members of ANDE share a common objective: to make people with low incomes in developing countries more prosperous.

They operate in 150 countries (take a look at the map at ande.force.com). Together the members of ANDE administer 63 funds with a focus on SGBs.

Since the beginnings of the organization they have invested more than $900 million in more than 2,500 investments.

Of course not all of these have been web or IT startups. But there have been cases, and there?s a popular understanding that IT businesses promote access and empowerment.

Read this excellent article on the portal NextBillion (from which the above information comes). The report can be accessed in English, Portuguese and Spanish at this link.