September 2021
August has been a lively month for ANDE East and Southeast Asia and our member organizations working in the region. Despite the fact that everything is virtual due to the ongoing pandemic, our work to support and engage with the small and growing business (SGB) ecosystems has continued as we look outwards to the path where we overcome this challenge and become stronger than ever.
The highlight of the month was the launch of SEA Climate & Environmental Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Snapshot Report. In partnership with SEI - Stockholm Environment Institute and with support from Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we presented key findings from the report and discussed the current and future stages of climate and environmental entrepreneurship in the region.
In collaboration with Gobi Partners and with support from QBO Philippines, Teja Ventures, and FinTech Malaysia, we hosted the “Building the Gender Lens Investing Ecosystem in Southeast Asia” webinar as a part of She Loves Tech (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia Chapter). With our inspiring panelists from BoP Innovation Center, SHE Investments, Value For Women, Villgro Philippines, ANGIN: Angel Investment Network Indonesia, Ata Plus Malaysia, and Teja Ventures, we have heard wonderful stories, perspectives, and insights into how entrepreneur support organizations and investors incorporate #GenderLens into their processes.
Lastly, we closed off the month with our fourth session of ANDE ESEA Digitalization Learning Lab, ‘Visualize, Measure, and Iterate your Digital Strategy', with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. We were honored to have Accenture and SAP who guided organizations on how to create a Digital Strategy Roadmap, and shared suggested tools, and what to look out for after implementation. We have successfully completed our first cohort Learning Lab sessions. A big thank you to MEDA Myanmar, Mercy Corps Indonesia, Pact Thailand, Phandeeyar Myanmar, SHE Investments Cambodia, SSP Ventures Myanmar, Swisscontact Cambodia, and Villgro Philippines. Please stay tuned for our next sessions and a recap of key learnings on our social media channels.
In the last quarter of 2021, we are planning many more special events for ANDE members, partners, and SGB ecosystems. Discover more exciting opportunities in the following sections!
ANDE Events
ANDE ESEA Digitalization Learning Lab #5 - How to Choose the Right Tools
28 October 2021 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM (GMT+7)
How can ESOs and SGBs navigate through the landscape to be able to choose the right fit for their transformation? Join us to hear on-ground examples as well as insights from leaders and implementation experts. This event is open to everyone.
Asia Digitalization Matchmaking Expo
30 November 2021
The ANDE Asia Digitalization Matchmaking Expo is an exciting opportunity for digital service providers. The Expo will facilitate constructive connections between Entrepreneur Support Organizations and digital solutions/services vendors and potential partners.
If you're a service provider and interested in hosting a free virtual booth, please reach out to Ploy.
ANDE Opportunities
ANDE Gender-Smart Capacity Building Facility
Deadline: 30 September 2021
In partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the ANDE Gender-Smart Capacity Building Facility will award five grants of up to USD $30,000 for gender-smart capacity building services to investors who will be supporting 1-3 SGBs operating in qualified geographies. ANDE has recently updated the application requirements and extended the deadline. Applications are no longer restricted to pre-investments and investors are not required to identify target beneficiary SGB(s) at the time of application. Interested applicants must submit an expression of interest by September 30, 2021.
The SGB Evidence Fund
Deadline: 1 November 2021
The SGB Evidence Fund aims to address knowledge gaps in the small and growing business sector by commissioning high-quality, practitioner-researcher co-generated research projects that yield insight into what works to stimulate the growth of SGBs through improvements in firm productivity and performance, as well as build evidence on the economic and social impacts of SGB growth.
ANDE Career Opportunities
Washington, DC, USA | ANDE Headquarter
Senior Talent Associate
Mexico City, Mexico | ANDE Central America and Mexico
Central America and Mexico Program Manager
See current open positions at our Career Center.
ANDE Resources
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Snapshot: Climate and Environmental Entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia
This report evaluates the current support ecosystem for climate and environmental entrepreneurs in six developing Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The report offers insights on the set of organizations supporting entrepreneurs that aim to address climate change mitigation, adaptation, and non-climate related environmental protection challenges.
Stories of Hope: Opportunities for Gender Lens Investing in Cambodia
Meet ANDE’s newest member SHE Investments, one of our Advancing Women Empowerment Fund's grantees in Cambodia, and their innovative journey toward economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs.
The Future of Climate and Environmental Entrepreneurship
Impact Enterprise 20 is an innovative initiative co-launched by ANDE Member Change Fusion and ANDE Partner UNDP Thailand that aims to grow social impact investment in Thailand. In this blog, meet the 5 impact enterprises that work to achieve the environmental-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sector Events
World Circular Economy Forum 2021 | by The annual World Circular Economy Forum
13 - 15 September 2021
GrowHer Launch Indonesia Webinar | by Grow Asia
15 September 2021
Business Case for Green and Affordable Housing Webinar | by International Finance Corporation (IFC)
22 September 2021
Business Call to Action's Annual Forum | Inclusive Business at the Nexus of Recovery | by UNDP
23 - 24 September 2021
GSG Global Impact Summit | by The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment
6 - 8 October 2021
AVPN Southeast Asia Summit 2021 | by Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)
26 - 27 October 2021
Next Normal Now: Re-imagining Capitalism for Our Future | by Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
27 October 2021
Promoting Sustainable Food Consumption in Southeast and Northeast Asia through Farm-to-Fork Concept | by SWITCH-Asia
14 September 2021
Climate Tech Investment Summit – South Asia 2021 | by Climate Collective
16 - 17 September 2021
The UN Food Systems Summit | by The United Nations
23 September 2021
Social Value Matters Conference | by Social Value International
30 September 2021
Individuals from low-income and conflict-affected countries, individuals who are unemployed due to COVID-19, students, NGOs, and Social Enterprises with a very low annual turnover, who are willing to join the Social Value Matters Conference 2021 can apply for the SVM2021 full scholarship by 20 September 2021.
Sector Opportunities
Social Media Research for Influencing Gender Norms | by Investing in Women
Deadline: 17 September 2021
Who: Research organization/s that study the social media campaigns led by local partners in creating positive changes in attitudes, social expectations, and behavior among targeted urban millennials with regards to the following norms
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) #SPARSH Fellowship | by Villgro Innovations Foundation
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Who: An engineer interested in combating the problem of environmental pollution
NFTs for Development in Asia | by ADB Deadline: 8 October 2021
Who: Startups, University Students and Faculty, Research Organizations and Independent Researchers, Corporate Partners from ADB member countries
Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) | by USAID
Who: Innovators and researchers who want to test new ideas, take strategic risks, build evidence of what works, and advance the best solutions
Using Digitalization to Support Financing of Women-owned Businesses in the Pacific Islands | by ADB
Deadline: 19 September 2021
Who: Formally registered technology-based start-up firms with at least 3 years of operations, technology providers, and corporate partners that primarily serve the financial services industry (Fintech)
Netherlands-Indonesia ACCESS | by the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia
Deadline: 5 October 2021
Who: Indonesian-based startup providing a solution to a pertinent problem that falls within one of the highlighted challenge areas
The FTxSDG Challenge | by Seedstars
Deadline: 1 November 2021
Who: Early-stage startups operating in emerging markets and working to tackle any of the FTxSeedstars Challenge SDG Themes
Sector Resources
Policy Actions for COVID-19 Economic Recovery: A Compendium of Policy Briefs | by Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Becoming an Ally to All, Allyship is a journey course | by Linkedin Learning
ASEAN Development Outlook | by ASEAN
Plastic Lifecycle Assessment Calculator for the Environment and Society Toolkit | by The Circulate Initiative
Entrepreneurship, Startups and Innovations in ASEAN and East Asia | by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Art of the Start: Turning ideas into High-Growth Business | by Skillshare
Sector Career Opportunities
East Asia and Pacific:
Amani Institute – Global M&E and Operations Manager
YGAP – Program Designer - Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The Circulate Initiative - Research Analyst
Myanmar:
Pact – Programs Director, Pact Myanmar
Cambodia:
UNDP – International Expert for the Joint UNDP-ILO Research Project
SHE Investments – Facilitator | Program Manager
Thailand:
Covestro - Inclusive Business Development Manager
UNDP - Regional Programme Assistant
UNOPS - Asia-Pacific Adaptation Specialist
UN Women - Monitoring and Reporting Analyst
UN Volunteers - Evaluation Officer
Stockholm Environment Institute – Research Associate: Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Vietnam:
Beacon Fund - Investment Analyst
FHI 360 - Chief of Party
Malaysia:
Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur - Impact Manager: Inclusive Communities
New Entrepreneurs Foundation - Program Coordinator
What We're Reading
Promoting Gender Equity And The Need To #ActForEqual | by Laudes Foundation
Who Are Also Investing in Impact in Indonesia | by ANGIN
Four Ways Young People Can Lead The Energy Revolution | by UNDP
4 reasons why blended finance is our best bet in adapting to climate change | by World Economic Forum
Supporting the creative economy for sustainable development in Southeast Asia | by ADB Institute
Agents of Resilience: Entrepreneurs Creating Sustainable Climate Solutions, Part I | by SEAF
The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is a global network of organizations that propel entrepreneurship in developing economies. ANDE members provide critical financial, educational, and business support services to small and growing businesses (SGBs) based on the conviction that SGBs create jobs, stimulate long-term economic growth, and produce environmental and social benefits.
