Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be central to the creation of the 600 million jobs which are needed4 over the next 15 years to sustain the growing global workforce. While entrepreneurs’ access to financial services is improving, young people – particularly women – often lack the skills and confidence needed to grow their MSMEs.
Under the entrepreneurship pathway, we support various projects that aim to address these gaps to help fuel the sustained growth of youth- and women-led MSMEs.
Our entrepreneurship projects help young entrepreneurs establish and grow MSMEs via access to funding sources and business advisory. Through life skills training, we nurture the confidence these young people need to succeed as business leaders.
Our female-centric programme, Women in Tech, supports women-led or women-owned small businesses to leverage technology in building inclusive business practices.
Women in Tech provides business-development guidance and access to business networks, mentorships and funding opportunities. With a focus on MSMEs using technology to drive business growth, the programme also helps drive greater female participation in an industry where they have typically been neglected.
The results We reached 76,516 young people through entrepreneurship projects in 31 markets between January 2019 and mid-2022.
4United Nations, Statement at the Global Symposium on the Role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
A gender gap persists in technology across the world. For teenager Elizabeth – who dreams of being a tech entrepreneur one day – a bootcamp delivered under Futuremakers was an important step in overcoming the associated gender bias. At the Bossgirls bootcamp, Elizabeth and her peers practiced preparing business plans and pitched their ideas to Standard Chartered volunteers – laying the foundations for them to become future leaders in tech.
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I want to leave a positive impact on the world.
Horticultural small-business owner Haron’s plans to expand were curtailed by COVID-19. However, things began to turnaround after he joined his local Futuremakers’ project. With new business skills and an expanded network of fellow entrepreneurs, Haron’s production is ramping up again. He has also recovered contracts and opened several online marketing platforms. The ripple effects are spreading – his wife has now established her own business, and he plans to mentor 100 other young entrepreneurs.
My dream is for my business to create income and an environmentally sustainable community.
