Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE)

About ANDE 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 Global Video from ANDE on Vimeo. 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. Creating more quality jobs in low-resourced settings creates more opportunities locally, which in turn helps create stability and reduces the need for economic migration, makes communities more resilient in the face of disaster, and provides more business opportunities for national and multi-national corporations. In sum, SGBs are a win-win for everyone. Launched with 34 members in 2009, ANDE now comprises more than 280 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 eight offices in emerging market countries, 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. ANDE’S SPECIFIC PROGRAM AREAS INCLUDE: ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND NETWORKING METRICS AND EVALUATION RESEARCH TRAINING AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT Interested in learning more about ANDE’s program areas and member benefits? Please refer to the ANDE Membership page for additional details. To access a comprehensive list of current ANDE members and more info About ANDE, check out our ANDE overview. Have a question about ANDE? Please refer to our FAQ page. ANDE is part of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan forum for values-based leadership and the exchange of ideas. ANDE is also supported with generous support from the U.S. Agency for International Development.