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Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs

About ANDE

The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is a global network of organizations that invest money and expertise to propel entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Officially launched in 2009, we are a member-driven organization housed within the Aspen Institute, an international non-profit that promotes enlightened leadership. Our members are the vanguard of a movement that is focused on small and growing businesses (SGBs) that create economic, environmental, and social benefits for developing countries. Ultimately, we seek to build sustainable prosperity in the developing world.

ANDE identifies common strategic challenges and opportunities facing SGBs, and, based on these findings, provides programs and services for our members and the sector as a whole. We aspire to be the leading convener and conduit for organizations and individuals committed to building SGBs in the developing world. We act as a trusted advocate for the SGB sector, educating investors and policy makers about the extraordinary opportunity the sector represents.

The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs is about filling the “missing middle” – the space representing the disparity between investments in small businesses compared to other business sectors in emerging markets (microfinance for individuals and small groups; and private equity for larger businesses).  We see system-wide challenges to supporting our common goals that can only be addressed through collective action. 

ANDE works to dramatically increase the amount and effectiveness of capital and technical/business assistance for entrepreneurs in developing countries. With the right support, we believe SGBs will generate much needed employment, and in the process, address critical social and environmental problems in the developing world. 

ANDE Makes Commitment at 2009 Clinton Global Initiative

The fifth annual Clinton Global Initiative, held September 22-25, 2009 in New York City, brought together global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. This year's theme was: "Action Speaks Louder than Words." ANDE was chosen from hundreds of standing commitments to report on progress on their 2008 commitment and highlight goals for their 2009 commitment. ANDE's 2009 Commitment includes: investing $1M to support the capacity development and development of innovative new initiatives by ANDE members, attracting an additional 30 members to ANDE, leading a centralized effort to create common metrics and evaluation tools for investing in small and growing businesses, and training 100 developing world professionals in investment management.

In addition, ANDE Executive Director Randall Kempner participated on the panel "Deepening Financial Inclusion to Reach the Underserved - the "Missing Middle" and the Extremely Poor," in the "Financing an Equitable Future" Topic Area.