ANDE South Asia Chapter Update- July
ANDE South Asia
The South Asia Chapter of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs
👋 Hello from the South Asia chapter of ANDE!
Welcome to the July edition of our newsletter. We bring you updates on the upcoming ANDE Global Annual Conference, our DEI Learning series, other events and a lot more sector happenings!
Dive in to find out more about our upcoming events, opportunities, and resources!
Do stay updated by following us on our social media platforms. You can submit content directly, and keep track of sector updates by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Unveiling the draft agenda for the ANDE 2024 Global Annual Conference!
Embark on a journey to shape the future of small and growing businesses!
Are you ready to dive into the most pressing issues and exciting opportunities shaping the small and growing business (SGB) sector? The draft agenda for the ANDE Global Annual Conference is out, and it is packed with insights, strategies, and solutions to empower entrepreneurs worldwide. Fifteen years ago, ANDE was founded on a pioneering concept: business ecosystem-building as a specialized development field. Now, we're looking ahead to the next big ideas that will empower entrepreneurs and the organizations that support them. Join us at our Annual Conference in Bangkok from September 10 to 12 to discover them.
While our scholarship deadline has closed, we encourage you to secure your spot today. Registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis (until the conference space reaches capacity), and the hotel room block closes on August 23.
Register today and join us in unlocking the big ideas for small business!
Come join us for the second session of our DEI Learning Series!
We are thrilled to announce that the second session of our DEI Learning series is set to take place soon! This session will cover the topic of “Mainstreaming Physical Accessibility”. Throughout this session, you will have the exciting opportunity to learn from our expert practitioner speaker, Ian Jones, from agile, an impact enterprise from Cambodia that uses human-centered design to create solutions and opportunities for people with disabilities.
With this session, participants will:
The DEI Learning Series is brought to you by ANDE South Asia, ANDE ESEA and agile. Come join us and contribute to the creation of more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems that provide equal opportunities for all.
🗓 - 18 July 2024
Please reach out to Vineetha Venugopal (vineetha.vk@aspeninstitute.org) or Pasiwat Sutthirak (pasiwat.sutthirak@aspeninstitute.org) for any questions regarding this series
Save the date - ANDE South Asia Convening: 3-5 Dec 2024!
We are excited to announce the dates of this year’s ANDE South Asia Convening! Mark your calendars to join us in this interesting event filled with invaluable connections, engaging speakers and insightful sessions. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage, learn, and grow together 🗓: 3-5 Dec 2024
📍: Virtual Stay tuned for more updates!
Weaving the threads of the ANDE Waste and Circularity Policy Working Group in Delhi!
On 11 July 2024, the ANDE Waste and Circularity policy working group met at IHC New Delhi to discuss key strategies for enhancing circularity in India's textile hubs and addressing policy challenges in pre-consumer textile waste management. The event was brimming with interesting discussions and new insights into the world of textile waste management.
As put eloquently by Prajakta L Varma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, "Sustainability in textiles is an important theme that requires collaborative efforts among multiple actors to ensure effective forward and backward linkages. During the recent Textiles Startup Grand Challenge, aimed at supporting innovators with potential through incubation and grants, we discovered numerous promising ventures, particularly emerging from tier-2 cities, that are actively working on sustainable solutions. The Ministry is committed to working with all stakeholders to establish a robust policy framework for sustainability and circularity, which will, in turn, enable these ventures to thrive. Additionally, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to promote the procurement of upcycled products, fostering an environment for sustainable production and consumption."
The working group is designed to engage a wide variety of ecosystem actors – such as subject matter experts, entrepreneurship support organizations, investors, green entrepreneurs, NGOs, and small and growing businesses (SGBs) – to advise on policy priorities at the national and sub-national level. The aim is to partner with local advocacy partner organizations to connect public and private ecosystem actors, validate policy recommendations, and advocate for policy reform in the waste management and circular economy sectors.
Join us today to mobilise and bolster the waste and circularity sector in India!
Sector Announcements
Upaya Social Ventures Welcomes Leadership Transition
ANDE member Upaya Social Ventures, a leader in impact investing focused on job creation in India, has appointed AB Chakravarthy and Shruti Goel as Co-CEOs. This strategic leadership transition marks a new chapter for the organization, building on the impactful legacy of outgoing CEO Kate Cochran.
Read more about Upaya's new chapter on its commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities for those in extreme poverty.
Sector Events
Design Impact awards | Titan Company
The second edition of the Design Impact Awards has been launched. The aim is to empower social innovators with one of the ecosystem's largest grants to scale impact. With a grant of up to 2 Crore INR, this program is dedicated to recognizing and supporting innovators who drive meaningful change in the world. Find out more here.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Webinar: Impact Venture Studio 101 | Enviu | 17 July 2024
In this co-hosted session, Fundamental and Enviu will explore the topic of : Impact Venture Studio 101: Discover the in’s and out’s of what they are and how they work. Join Corentin Larue, Managing Partner at Fundamental, and Dieuwertje Nelissen, Chief Program Officer at Enviu for this insightful session on July 17 , 9:30 AM (CET), 5:30 PM (CEST). Register here.
Electric Vehicle & Energy Storage Systems Expo 2024 | Water Today | 19-21 July
Taking place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, this expo highlights the latest in electric vehicles and energy storage, emphasizing sustainable living and clean energy. It's a hub for industry leaders and innovators to explore how technology can drive a cleaner, more sustainable future. Register here!
Masterclass: Measuring Impact: Tracking Paid Social Campaigns Effectively | Comms Ninja | 26 July 2024
Enhance your social media marketing skills with the upcoming LinkedIn Live masterclass by Comms Ninja on 'Measuring Impact: Tracking Paid Social Campaigns Effectively'. Learn how to effectively measure, analyse, and optimise your paid social media efforts to drive better results and ROI. Don't miss this opportunity to make data-driven decisions and improve your campaigns. Know more here!
6 Core Values Quiz | BetterStories | Reply by 30 July 2024
Through a 3-day immersive Strategy Hackathon, BetterStories co-created six core values that reflect their top priorities and act as a guiding star in their processes. The core values will be revealed soon, but in the meantime, they have a fun quiz for you. Guess correctly and stand a chance to win books! Find out more here.
12th Business Opportunities Fair 2024 | ADB | 09 - 10 Oct 2024
The ADB Business Opportunities Fair is a one-stop forum for consultants, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and civil society organizations looking to provide goods, works, and services for ADB projects. It has proven to be an excellent opportunity to network with peers in the industry and with ADB specialists in the energy, transport, water, urban development, climate change, agriculture, environment, public management, finance, health, and education sectors.
Clean Energy Forum | USAID | 21-24 Oct 2024
Save the date for the South Asia Clean Energy Forum set to take place in Jaipur, Rajasthan, from October 21-24, 2024. This flagship event, organized by USAID through SAREP and APP programs, will bring together key stakeholders from the region and specialists from across the world.
Sector Opportunities
Innovation for India Awards | By Marico Innovation Foundation | Deadline: 17 July 2024
Applications for the 10th edition of the Innovation for India Awards are now open. This is a unique opportunity for trailblazers across sectors to showcase transformative innovations that have the potential to create significant social, environmental, and economic impact. Head here for all the information you need on categories, jury, timelines, the complete portfolio of benefits, previous winners, and FAQs.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Climate Resilience | Mercy Corps Ventures | Deadline: 21 July 2024
This initiative seeks startups or organizations deploying innovative AI-based solutions for climate resilience in emerging markets. The organization is committing up to $1,000,000 to test first-of-a-kind solutions increasing the resilience of climate vulnerable people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, aiming to build the knowledge base on how innovative technology can increase climate resilience for the most vulnerable.
Agrivoltaics: The Knowledge Cohort | SAREP and SAGE | Multiple sessions
Recognizing the immense potential and challenges of agrivoltaics in South Asia, the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) and the South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE) have collaborated to present a comprehensive Knowledge Cohort on Agrivoltaics. These webinars are designed to provide participants with foundational knowledge, strategic insights, and practical pathways for implementing agrivoltaic projects. Find out more here.
TOR, Developing a roadmap for climate impact | TCIS, Habitat for Humanity | Deadline: 29 July 2024
Habitat for Humanity International, is looking to develop a roadmap that reflects the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter’s impact areas and programmatic approach to addressing climate in its portfolio including defined metrics for capturing the impact, unpacking potential metrics where not clear, and incorporating relevant learning questions. Find out more here.
Earth Lab Bootcamp | By Startup Reseau and SPJIMR
The EarthLab Bootcamp, hosted by the Sunil Bhatia Start-up Resource Hub at SPJIMR, in partnership with Startup Réseau, is designed to empower emerging entrepreneurs in the sustainability sector. Focusing on key industries such as Agriculture and ClimateTech, our bootcamp provides a comprehensive platform to support innovators driving impactful solutions to urgent global issues. Find out more about the bootcamp here.
Circular Economy Incubation Program | By NSRCEL | Deadline: 31 July
NSRCEL in collaboration with Pernod Ricard India Foundation is supporting early-stage startups dedicated to creating a climate-positive, low-carbon world. This program is designed to help entrepreneurs leverage viable technology, scalable go-to-market strategies, and a favorable policy environment to drive significant environmental impact. Find out more here.
The Outcomes Accelerator | Convergence Blended Finance | Deadline: 26 August 2024 Convergence Blended Finance has sent out a call for proposals, inviting applications from innovative projects that align with one or more SDGs. The Accelerator offers flexible funding, targeted expertise, and networking to support outcomes-based financing initiatives with testing, launching, and scaling.
Sector Resources
What We Are Reading
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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.