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Conferences and conventions

Building Tomorrow's Ecosystems: Key Takeaways from ANDE's Global Annual Conference

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a pioneering move to strengthen small and growing business (SGB) ecosystems in emerging markets, the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) brought its Global Annual Conference to Latin America, convening over 200 leaders from 40 countries in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. The conference, themed "Building Tomorrow's Ecosystems: Connect, Innovate, Transform!" emphasized idea exchange, collaboration, and partnership-building to foster entrepreneurial resilience and drive sustainable prosperity. Through plenary sessions, workshops, and networking spaces, participants explored the foundations of thriving local ecosystems, the importance of talent, institutions, and culture, and the potential of cross-sector collaboration in climate-tech.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conference highlighted the sector's resilience amid declining international aid, with entrepreneurs demonstrating creativity and courage to open new paths for progress.
  • Esther Duflo, 2019 Nobel Laureate in Economics, emphasized the need for international cooperation to respond to crises, finance global public goods, and scale policies based on rigorous evidence.
  • Erik Stam of Utrecht University noted that capital alone is not enough for growth, highlighting the importance of talent, institutions, and culture in forming the invisible infrastructure.
  • Chum Chum, a Mexican company, showcased how food surplus can be transformed into nutritious and sustainable products, demonstrating the potential of entrepreneurship to drive social and environmental progress.
  • The release of Mexico's first National Impact Investment Study revealed that the number of impact investors in Mexico grew from 24 in 2019 to over 130 in 2024, managing over USD 1.7 billion in assets.
  • The conference emphasized the importance of building from trust, centering local voices, and moving from ego-systems to eco-systems for collective entrepreneurship.
  • The ANDE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Toolkit, launched in collaboration with Seedstars, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Fundación Coppel, provides a roadmap for strengthening SGB ecosystems.
  • Stories of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, such as I was a Sari from India and Ellas Impactan, reminded participants of the transformative power of entrepreneurship to drive social impact.

Statistics:

  • Over 200 leaders from 40 countries attended the conference, representing the entrepreneurial, investment, and social innovation communities.
  • The number of impact investors in Mexico grew from 24 in 2019 to over 130 in 2024, managing over USD 1.7 billion in assets.
  • Mexico's first National Impact Investment Study was conducted by ANDE and financed by GIZ.
  • The ANDE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Toolkit is designed to support the strengthening of SGB ecosystems globally.

Sources:

  • Aspen Institute: "ANDE Global Annual Conference 2024"
  • ANDE: "About ANDE"
  • GIZ: "Supporting Entrepreneurship in Mexico"
  • Seedstars: "ANDE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Toolkit"
  • Tecnológico de Monterrey: "Partnership with ANDE"
  • Fundación Coppel: "Supporting Entrepreneurship in Mexico"

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