Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs Releases Second Annual Impact Report

LONDON, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), a global network of more than 110 members working in 150 emerging and developing countries, today released its second annual Impact Report at the Shell Foundation headquarters. The report launch marks the second anniversary of ANDE and follows its day-long member meeting, bringing together global leaders from the small and growing business (SGB) sector.  

Judith Rodin, Ph.D., president of the Rockefeller Foundation, was in attendance at the launch to help celebrate ANDE's progress and share her insights on the impact investing space.  "ANDE is playing a crucial role in building the impact investing sector, and the Rockefeller Foundation is proud to be a founding partner in this innovative work. We look forward to continuing to work with ANDE to better understand the importance of small business entrepreneurs in the fight to alleviate poverty," said Dr. Rodin.

The ANDE Impact Report is a comprehensive assessment of the state of the SGB sector. It shares lessons learned about supporting and sustaining SGBs in emerging markets and addresses areas where improvement and mobilization are needed to further promote entrepreneurship to achieve poverty reduction around the world.

"Increasingly, the development community is recognizing that market-based approaches offer a more effective model for providing key products and services to needy populations. Meanwhile, the traditional investment community is recognizing the potential of making financial returns while improving society. This convergence is leading to a greater understanding of the power of SGBs as well as increased capital flows into the sector," stated Randall Kempner, executive director of ANDE. The report includes research that demonstrates between 2001 and the first half of 2010, 199 funds have announced a total target investment raise of $10.6 billion to invest in emerging market SGBs.

ANDE members are making strides to help build an investment community that is committed to both social and financial success. Over the past year, ANDE has grown by 37 members, reaching an additional 18 countries. Collectively, ANDE members manage 63 funds devoted to SGBs and have invested more than $900 million across 2,500 investments. Through capacity development and direct equity or debt investment, ANDE members have supported over 11,100 SGBs, with $80 million also being provided in capacity development activities in 2010.

In the report we learn about several SGBs supported by ANDE members which have expanded their supply chains and increased revenue, such as: Ecotact, which deploys pay-per-use toilets and showers in Kenya, growing its customer base exponentially from 4.3 million users in 2009 to 6 million in 2010; Nandan Biomatrix, which provides energy and income by converting jatropha plants into biofuel in India, reaching 15,000 households; and Better World Books, which recycles used books, saving more than 200,000 trees and 6,400 tons of books from landfills.

The report release followed an all-day member meeting, covering topics such as capital aggregation and capacity development. For more information about ANDE and to download the 2010 Impact Report, please visit: http://www.aspeninstitute.org/andeimpactreport2010

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. For more information, please visit: http://www.aspeninstitute.org/ande

ANDE funders include the Alcoa Foundation; Citi Foundation; The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Initiative; Google.org; The Lemelson Foundation; Omidyar Network; The Rockefeller Foundation; The Skoll Foundation; and Shell Foundation.

The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners.

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Carrie Barnes
ELISE communications
(215) 239-4643
[email protected]

SOURCE Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs