Bolivia
Bolivia has long been among the poorest and least-developed nations in Latin America. Despite having substantial mineral wealth, a staggering two-thirds of its people live below the poverty line. In rural areas the numbers in poverty are higher still. To improve the quality of life for Bolivians at the bottom of the economic pyramid, TechnoServe, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank, is introducing its successful business plan competition model. The program will help the country's nascent entrepreneurs turn good ideas into thriving small and medium businesses that generate jobs and markets while also increasing the supply of high-quality, affordable goods and services. The emphasis will be on businesses in the fields of energy, food, health, housing, basic services and information technology.
Technoserve/Bolivia
TechnoServe/Bolivia Contact: Andres Rico
Established: 2007
Practices: Developing Entrepreneurs
Developing Entrepreneurs
Business Plan Competitions
TechnoServe is introducing its successful business plan competition model to help Bolivia's up-and-coming entrepreneurs turn good ideas into thriving, growth-oriented businesses. The program will focus on small and medium businesses that benefit people at the bottom of the economic pyramid by generating jobs and markets while also increasing the supply of high-quality, affordable goods and services. There will also be an emphasis on businesses in the fields of tourism, agriculture, health, housing, basic services and information technology. Business plan competitions have been proven to cultivate and foster innovation and new business ideas. TechnoServe also provides after-care services to its business plan competition participants and winners, as well as seed capital for the projects that create the highest social impact.
Key supporters: Grupo Nueva Economía
"To me TechnoServe has always been distinguished by its long-term commitment to building cooperatives and businesses from the bottom up in a way that makes sense for the individuals."
PATRICIA M. CLOHERTY
Chairman and CEO, Delta Private Equity Partners