User:Doooda/Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs

The Aspen Network of Network Entrepreneurs (ANDE) (pronounced Ann-dee) is a non-governmental organization that aims to serve as a global network of organizations that invest money and expertise to propel entrepreneurship in developing countries. ANDE is a membership organization housed within the Aspen Institute, an international non-profit organization. ANDE members focus on small and growing businesses (SGBs) that create economic, environmental, and social benefits in developing countries. Some of the leading foundations and organizations that focus on entrepreneurship development, such as the Citi Foundation, Goldman Sachs, the Kauffman Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Shell Foundation, among others, make up the ANDE membership.

Unlike the microfinance movement, ANDE focuses on the “missing middle” – those businesses and entrepreneurs needing investments that are too large for microfinance loans and too small for traditional bank loans. ANDE defines SGBs as commercially viable businesses with 5 to 250 employees with a strong potential for growth.

History
The idea for the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs developed when a small coalition of leaders in the impact investment field gathered to discuss poverty alleviation through business development. This group believed that there was a way to effectively and successfully alleviate poverty through investments in social entrepreneurs in the emerging markets. In July, 2008, thirty-five of these leaders gathered in Aspen for a three-day working meeting. By the end of this meeting, ANDE was born with commitments in seed funding by eight leading foundations.

Housed as a policy program of the Aspen Institute, ANDE was officially launched in January 2009 with the hiring of Randall Kempner as the Executive Director.

Membership
The list of ANDE member organizations can be found here

According to the organization’s website, ANDE is a “global organization dedicated to both advocating for the growth of the SGB sector and offering services and programs to support the organizations operating in the space. Operating in over 130 developing world countries, our members offer a diverse set of resources to support SGBs, and through the network, provide an unmatched resource to one another. ANDE develops initiatives to address systemic challenges and opportunities that can only be approached through collective action.”

Focus Areas
ANDE focuses its work on five key program areas :
 * Knowledge Sharing & Networking
 * Training & Talent Development
 * Metrics & Evaluation
 * Capacity Building Fund
 * Advocacy & Education