This initiative seeks to empower 150 businesses in both countries, providing founders with the tools, resources, and networks needed to overcome barriers and succeed in their new environments.

Western Union, a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, has a long-standing commitment to fostering economic opportunity for migrant and refugee communities through its Foundation.

Addressing Challenges and Unlocking Potential

Migrant and refugee entrepreneurs in Mexico and Colombia face unique challenges such as dealing with unfamiliar business landscapes, accessing financial resources, overcoming language barriers, and integrating into local communities. Despite these barriers, as many other migrants around the world they bring resilience, diverse perspectives, and a strong entrepreneurial drive that enrich local economies and cultures.

This free program aims to directly address these barriers while unlocking the potential of these individuals to contribute significantly to their host countries. Participants will receive tailored support in sustainable business development, job creation, and revenue growth.

Impact in numbers

The program’s expected impact includes:

• Supporting 150 enterprises, with 113 graduating from the program each year.
• Maintaining 77 active enterprises after one year.
• Creating 150+ jobs within two years.
• Generating an average yearly revenue of $10,000 per enterprise, resulting in a total of $1,560,000 in yearly revenue within two years across both countries

Beyond the first program: a collaborative vision

This initiative aligns with the Western Union Foundation’s mission to empower migrant and refugee populations through economic opportunity, complementing Bridge for Billions’ extensive experience in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs.

Additionally, the partnership builds on the success of Bridge for Billions’ collaboration with IDB Lab, currently working on the Conecta Central America initiative – an ecosystem building initiative that provides capacity building to local organizations, leading to a multiplication of programs, opportunities and impact across the region.

By combining resources, expertise, and a shared commitment to economic empowerment, Bridge for Billions and Western Union Foundation aim to create lasting impact, breaking down barriers for migrant and refugee entrepreneurs while improving survival rates of entrepreneurs and promoting innovation, diversity and new streams of revenue for the local population.

For local organizations working to support entrepreneurship in Mexico and Colombia, this can also be a future opportunity to enter a network of changemakers and receive capacity building to improve their efficiency and knowledge. For more information, contact with Bridge for Billions team.

Who can apply?

The program is open to migrant and refugee entrepreneurs in Colombia and Mexico who meet the following criteria:

• Be a foreigner and have legal residence in Colombia or Mexico.
• Understand and speak Spanish fluently
• Have a business idea ready to implement within three months or an active business less than two years old.
• Are over 18 years old with at least secondary school education.
• Have regular internet access and basic digital skills.
• Can commit 8–12 hours per week for 4–5 months to complete the program

About the program

The initiative will be developed in Colombia and Mexico over the next year, offering an incubation program to migrant entrepreneurs in these regions so they can develop solid foundations to their business ideas.

Throughout a flexible, online program, participants will benefit from a 1-1 and group mentorship, followed by a step-by-step approach to create a clear, feasible, and investment-worthy scaling strategy. This will enable them to increase their impact and reach more customers.

Professionals from different countries are also welcomed to join as volunteer mentors. Through the program, they will be able to develop leadership and coaching skills, as well as entering a network of entrepreneurs and mentors, all committed to make a positive impact in their communities.

Applications are now open in Mexico for both entrepreneurs and mentors.

For Colombia, applications are open for entrepreneurs and mentors too.

Deadline for applications is January, 31 2025.

For more information about the program or how to get involved, please contact Maria Paula Godoy, Program Manager at Bridge for Billions: mpaula@bridgeforbillions.org

The post Bridge for Billions x Western Union Foundation to support migrant entrepreneurs in Mexico and Colombia appeared first on Bridge for Billions.

Inspiration from a Life of Activism

Growing up in the 1970s, Eric witnessed an era of fierce activism, with the American civil rights and anti-war movements shaping his early years. This environment, along with his passion for art and design, led him to become a founding member of a Los Angeles based AIDS activist artist collective during the 1980s and 90s.

“I knew hundreds of gay men who died before they turned 40,” he shares. “With each generation, I see our history disappearing, being repressed, or even erased.”

Inspired by these experiences, Eric set out to preserve LGBTQ+ history through Rainbopedia, an archive that would combine his two lifelong passions: Queer activism and design.

Building Rainbopedia from the Ground Up

In the early days, Eric managed every aspect of Rainbopedia himself—conceptualizing, planning, and financing offshore web development to establish a basic structure.

A significant milestone came on October 11, 2016—International Coming Out Day—when Rainbopedia achieved nonprofit status, enabling him to raise initial funds. By June 2020, he and his team launched a prototype website featuring 14 stories that embodied the user-generated content Rainbopedia aims to collect.

Since then, Rainbopedia’s audience has grown steadily.

It now receives over 1,000 unique visitors each month and has reached more than half a million people worldwide.

“People immediately recognize the absence of a global resource like this,” Eric says. “When we have presented it at events like Google Pride or LA Pride, people are visibly moved by the idea.”

Rainbopedia’s Mission: Promoting LGBTQ+ Visibility

Rainbopedia’s mission is to counteract the systemic erasure of LGBTQ+ history by creating a space where Queer stories from around the world can be shared and preserved.

“Our vision is to build an international meeting place where people can exchange ideas and learn from one another”, Eric explains.

Although further funding is required to build the fully realized platform, Rainbopedia is already making an impact by sparking conversations and inspiring people to recognize the importance of Queer history.

This last October, Eric hosted a special event at the West Hollywood Library: Rainbopedia’s LGBTQ+ History Month Storytellers Video Screening. This event featured a curated selection of short videos from Rainbopedia’s Storytellers Project—a powerful engagement program designed to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals from diverse backgrounds around the world.

Advice to Aspiring Change-Makers: “Focus on What Matters”

Reflecting on his journey, Eric highlights the importance of staying focused on the core mission.

“If I could go back in time, I’d tell myself to skip the unnecessary details and focus on what I really want to achieve.”

As a designer and perfectionist, he often got caught up in exploring different approaches to fundraising and partnerships. “I constantly ask myself: Is this really what I’m trying to achieve? That focus would have saved me time.”
Eric’s advice to other entrepreneurs who are just starting out with a similar mission?

Our history — the struggle we’ve endured and how we’ve overcome it — is disappearing all the time. I encourage people to cooperate in an effort to build a collaborative record of global Queer history that will be used by Queer people and allies in perpetuity.

A Call to for Inspiration & Allies

Eric’s mission is clear: to prevent the erasure of LGBTQ+ history. Rainbopedia is his call to action, a cooperative effort to document these stories for future generations. For those interested in supporting this mission, joining as a mentor, ally, or supporter is a unique opportunity to protect and honor Queer history.

About the Founder

Eric Handel is a designer, lifelong activist, and the founder of Rainbopedia. An alumni of our program AARP Work for Yourself@50+ with a background in graphic design and a passion for Queer activism, he has worked tirelessly to preserve LGBTQ+ stories. Today, Rainbopedia continues his mission of documenting Queer history across the globe.

The post The Art of Preserving History: How Rainbopedia Is Documenting LGBTQ+ Stories Around the World appeared first on Bridge for Billions.

These authors have somehow inspired our work at Bridge for Billions. All of them have published innovative ideas that redefine what creating an equitable and inclusive economy means today.

#1 Out of Poverty, by Paul Polak

The subtitle of this book, “What Works When Traditional Approaches Fail,” already captures its focus.

Drawing on 25 years of experience, Paul Polak emphasizes using entrepreneurial methods to boost the income of rural farmers in Asia and Africa. He argues that poverty alleviation should start from agriculture improvement by providing affordable irrigation, seeds, and market access.

Polak’s organization, iDE, has successfully implemented low-cost solutions like treadle pumps, significantly raising farmers’ incomes and offering a scalable model for international development.

Polak is critical of the top-down approaches common in international development, favoring practical, money-making products for the poor. He advocates designing for the “other 90 percent” of the world’s population, focusing on “extreme affordability“—products that are cheap, pay for themselves quickly, and can reach millions. “Don’t bother” with anything else, he advises.

“Businesses can generate positive returns for investors by serving consumers in base-of-the-pyramid populations with average household income in the range of $1–$2 per day”

#2 The Blue Sweater, by Jacqueline Novogratz

Jacqueline Novogratz is an American entrepreneur and author. She founded Acumen, a nonprofit global venture capital fund whose goal is to use entrepreneurial approaches to address global poverty.

She left a career in international banking to spend her life on a quest to understand global poverty and find powerful new ways of tackling it.

From her first stumbling efforts as a young idealist venturing forth in Africa to the creation of the trailblazing organization she runs today, Novogratz tells gripping stories with unforgettable characters.

This book is about how to pioneer impact investing. She shows how traditional charity often fails, but how a new form of philanthropic investing called “patient capital” can help make people self-sufficient and change millions of lives.

“I have seen that traditional approaches to charity and aid don’t solve problems of poverty. In fact, too often they create dependence.”

#3 A World Without Poverty, by Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus is a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, banker, economist and civil society leader who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for founding the Grameen Bank and pioneering the concepts of microcredit. 

His main tool for alleviating the world’s ills is social business too, which he defines as financially sustainable but non-dividend- paying enterprises established to solve social and environmental problems.

He believes that social businesses would encourage more people to give back – many would find establishing and working in a social business more attractive than working for a charity.

One of Yunus’ most interesting proposals is his concept of a social stock market, where socially minded investors would buy and sell shares of social businesses. He thinks the price of the shares will rise when evidence of program cost effectiveness becomes available, and envisions a Social Dow Jones Index, which would reflect the share values of some of the world’s most broadly representative social businesses.

“In my experience, poor people are the world’s greatest entrepreneurs. Every day, they must innovate in order to survive. They remain poor because they do not have the opportunities to turn their creativity into sustainable income.”

#4 Capital in the Twenty-First Century, by Thomas Piketty

Piketty is a French economist who focuses on public economics, in particular income and wealth inequality.

In this book he explores the big forces behind how wealth is gathered and shared. Piketty looks at data from 20 countries, going back to the 1700s, to find important patterns about wealth and inequality.

He argues that while modern economic growth has prevented extreme inequalities, the basic structures of wealth and inequality haven’t changed as much as people thought after World War II.

This author warns that if the returns on wealth keep growing faster than the economy, it could lead to severe inequality, but he also believes that political action can help reduce this problem and promote inclusive economy.

Market forces and capitalism by themselves aren’t sufficient to ensure the common good and to limit the concentration of wealth at levels that are compatible with democratic ideals.

Less Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World, by Jason Hickel

Jason Hickel is an economic anthropologist who lectures in Goldsmiths University of London.  He is one of the most articulate, and imaginative contributors to the question of development and sustainability who regularly challenges economic orthodoxy, inequality and the official narrative of poverty in the global South.

In Less is More, Hickel explores how capitalism, inequality, and environmental exploitation are intertwined, driven by a misguided focus on growth for its own sake. The book offers a clear solution to the climate crisis and extreme inequality that have worsened since World War II.

Hickel argues that economic growth should not be an end in itself but a means to achieve human well-being, such as health, education, and secure futures.

He advocates for “degrowth,” which involves reducing resource use, energy demand, and emissions, particularly in wealthy nations, while improving well-being. Contrary to popular belief, degrowth isn’t about lowering living standards but reorganizing the economy to prioritize human prosperity within planetary limits.

If your economy requires people to produce and consume things they don’t need or even want, and to do more of it each year than the year before, just in order to keep the whole edifice from collapsing, then you need a different economy.

These are all valuable and very interesting readings for all those who want to deepen their knowledge. Inclusive economy and sustainable growth models are possible – there’s a lot of literature already there.

Enjoy!

The post 5 Inspiring Books to Understand Sustainable and Inclusive Economy appeared first on Bridge for Billions.

In her school in rural Cameroon, she noticed not much was different for her friends. They would often miss classes on account of their period, and lacking access to pads or tampons, they were using pieces of cloth as substitutes.

Many years later, Marie-Claire received a scholarship to study in the US. The remarkable difference in access to sanitary products stunned her – she could not stop thinking about the other girls back in her home country, who still could not afford them.

‘This question became very nagging in my head throughout my studies – what about the girls I left behind?”

Even 10 years later, after completing her studies and while working as a nurse in New York, the question remained – how to give back to her community back home?

‘In that moment, I decided I will not continue to just feel sorry about it, I will do something about it.’ says the founder.

Kuja EcoPads is born

This was the beginning of Kuja Eco Pads. For her birthday, Marie-Claire asked friends and family to skip gifts and instead give her money – money which she saved and sent to Cameroon, to a team she formed, asking for one thing – to use it to buy sanitary pads for girls in orphanages.

The positive feedback she received overwhelmed and moved her, and that’s why she decided to first start a non-for-profit, collecting sanitary products to give out, reaching 5000 girls in Cameroon.

Her initial plan was to collect pads to donate, but soon she understood the best was to produce them in Cameroon, and make them available to girls at all times. Looking for the most sustainable option, Marie-Claire decided to produce pads from banana stem fibers instead of plastic.

Today, Kuja Eco Pads continues their mission to create ‘menstrual products that are good for the body, the community & the environment in a sustainable and responsible way’, as written on their website.

Kuja hires local women as sales representatives, helping them to support themselves and their families. Moreover, the company also offers health education to young women, aiming to end the stigma surrounding female reproductive health.

Kuja EcoPads’ experience

We asked Marie-Claire some advice for other entrepreneurs.

In difficult times, learn from your failures and always think back to your ‘why’. Her mission to help women and girls of her country is what always kept her going, she says.

Also, we were happy to learn that the Bridge for Billions program helped her grow as a person and entrepreneur.

Marie-Claire took part to the Women Innovators in WASH program, an incubation program powered by Grundfos and Bridge for Billions, aiming to support women entrepreneurs in Africa with an innovative business project in the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors.

The program introduced her to her mentor, with whom she continues to collaborate to this day. Currently they are working on a campaign called One Million Girls, aiming to distribute a year’s worth of sanitary products to a million girls in Cameroon and DRC.

Want to support this incredible mission which will surely improve the lives of young women? Kuja Eco Pads is currently collecting donations – click here to donate and join this inspiring mission.

The post Kuja EcoPads Mission to End Period Poverty in Cameroon and Beyond appeared first on Bridge for Billions.

EDP is a global energy group leader in innovation, value creation and sustainability. It is part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (World and STOXX) and is also a world leader in renewable energy.

The Hope Fund will be part of EDP Y.E.S. – You Empower Society, the company’s global social impact strategy, which involves an investment of 300 million euros by 2030 to support over 500 social responsibility projects in various locations.

Ashoka, a global organization specializing in identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs, also joins the collaboration.

The Bridge for Billions team will provide tools, resources, and mentorship to the entrepreneurs selected for the program through its online platform.

The Program

In line with EDP’s global commitment, the Hope Fund aims to promote, support, and help scale innovative projects that address critical issues in different communities.

The initiative will be developed in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America over a period of 3 years, offering financial support as well as an incubation and acceleration program to help social entrepreneurs in these regions develop a strategy for their impact solutions.

Throughout the program, social entrepreneurs will benefit from a 1-1 and group mentorship, followed by a step-by-step approach to create a clear, feasible, and investment-worthy scaling strategy. This will enable them to increase their social impact and reach more people in need for a fair energy transition.

Specialized mentors with knowledge in the social field will work with the entrepreneurs to advise and help them advance their projects. Selected candidates can receive funding of up to 500,000 euros.

Open Applications

Entrepreneurs/projects interested in applying for the fund can do so through this link before September 8, 2024.

Candidates must propose a solution in one or more of the following actions:

• Provide access to clean, reliable, safe, and affordable energy to disadvantaged communities and/or individuals.
• Provide energy efficiency for disadvantaged communities and/or individuals.
• Promote training and reskilling for the energy transition industries with affordable tuition models.
• Encourage the preservation and restoration of forests and biodiversity with a positive social impact, especially in underserved areas.

15 projects will be evaluated and selected based on their innovation, impact, scalability, and sustainability.

More information for interested entrepreneurs here.

Why This Matters

In a world facing climate change and energy inequality, the Hope Fund offers a pathway to resilience and hope. This program is a testament to the importance of supporting communities striving for a just energy transition.

By backing social entrepreneurs dedicated to providing clean, affordable energy, we contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7) and Climate Action (Goal 13).

The Hope Fund is proof that collective efforts can drive innovation, and that together we can create a brighter, more equitable future for all.

The post Bridge for Billions x EDP: towards a just energy transition appeared first on Bridge for Billions.

The Conecta Program of Bridge for Billions seeks to strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems. It does this by creating a collaborative community of Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs). This program aims to generate a deep and lasting impact on local and regional economies.

Building community

The Conecta Program focuses on creating a robust community of ESOs. It trains their staff and develops their capabilities to implement multiple incubation programs. This community works together, sharing best practices and resources, and collaborating on fundraising.

Training and development

Through Conecta Academy, we provide advanced training in incubation methodologies, sustainability, leadership, and public influence. This comprehensive approach ensures that ESOs are equipped with the necessary tools to support entrepreneurs effectively and sustainably.

Regional impact

In 2022, we launched the Conecta Central America Program in partnership with the IDB Lab. We significantly impacted more than 25 ESOs in five countries. Additionally, the Conecta Migrants & Refugees Program, developed with funding from the JP Morgan Foundation, has supported migrant entrepreneurship in Spain, Italy, and South Africa. It benefited over 1,000 migrant entrepreneurs in three years.

Transformative results

The results of the Conecta Program are impressive. 67% of the ESOs reported an increase in diversity. Additionally, 100% improved their collaboration skills, and 89% enhanced their digital competencies. Furthermore, 70% of ESO leaders feel better prepared for leadership roles, and 78% have observed more effective business progress monitoring.

Impact stories: Daniel Billingslea

Daniel Billingslea, leader of Conecta Central America, works tirelessly to foster social change through innovation and entrepreneurship. In our Bridge Talk, Daniel shares his experience at the City of Knowledge Foundation. There, he transforms old military bases into an innovative and technological community.

Daniel emphasizes the importance of supporting entrepreneurs from the earliest stages. His work at City of Knowledge, in collaboration with Bridge for Billions, provides essential tools to overcome economic and educational barriers. Listen to more about his inspiring story and vision in the full episode.

Conclusion

In summary, the Conecta Program of Bridge for Billions demonstrates how collaboration and capacity building can create systemic change in entrepreneurship ecosystems. By joining forces with local ESOs and providing them with the necessary support, we are building a more inclusive and sustainable future for entrepreneurs worldwide.

The post Building Sustainable Ecosystems: Bridge for Billions’ Conecta Program appeared first on Bridge for Billions.

The ToT (Train of Trainers) Programs of Bridge for Billions are designed to work hand in hand with local Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs). We enhance their capacity to implement effective and personalized incubation programs. These programs are funded by a variety of organizations, including corporations, foundations, development agencies, and governments.

With these programs, organizations aim to achieve different goals:

• Foster economic growth and job creation.
• Strengthen local entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Promote access to opportunities for all people.
• Support the development of solutions to real problems.
• Engage their workforce to become mentors.

Strategic collaboration

The ToT Programs begin with close collaboration between Bridge for Billions and local ESOs. Together, we design programs specific to local needs and contexts, ensuring greater relevance and effectiveness. Additionally, this collaboration allows for deep customization, adapting to the particularities of each region.

Training and support

One of the key components of the ToT Programs is the training of trainers. We train ESO teams in incubation methodologies, program management, and sustainability strategies. This approach not only improves the quality of the programs but also strengthens the long-term capabilities of the ESOs.

Localized implementation

With the continuous support of Bridge for Billions, ESOs implement incubation programs that can support between 30-40 entrepreneurs with the help of 40-80 mentors in each cohort. These programs include expert sessions, personalized mentoring, and the use of our digital incubation platform.

Measurable results

Our ToT Programs have proven their effectiveness in various regions. In each case, ESOs report significant improvements in diversity, collaboration skills, and digital competencies. Additionally, ESO leaders feel better prepared for leadership roles and observe more effective monitoring of business progress.

Impact

The results of the ToT Programs are impressive. They have strengthened local entrepreneurship ecosystems and promoted access to opportunities for all people. They have also supported the development of solutions to real problems, engaging the workforce to become mentors.

A notable example of our programs is the collaboration with UNEP in the Restoration Factory. This program, developed with UNEP, has created a replicable hybrid incubation model for entrepreneurs focused on environmental restoration.

Conclusion

The ToT Programs of Bridge for Billions represent a powerful approach to strengthening entrepreneurship at the local level. By training and supporting ESOs, we not only expand the impact of our programs but also contribute to the creation of more robust and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystems. Join us and be part of this transformation!

The post Strengthening Local Entrepreneurship: Bridge for Billions ToT Programs appeared first on Bridge for Billions.

The direct programs of Bridge for Billions are incubation initiatives designed to provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs from the idea stage to the creation of a sustainable business. These programs offer personalized mentoring, practical tools, and a structured learning environment. These programs are funded by various organizations, including corporations, foundations, development agencies, and governments.

With these programs, organizations aim to achieve different goals:

• Foster economic growth and job creation.
• Strengthen local entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Promote access to opportunities for all people.
• Support the development of solutions to real problems.
• Engage their workforce to become mentors.

Strategy and customized design

Each of the direct programs of Bridge for Billions begins with a strategy and design phase that lasts approximately one month. During this period, we work with our partners to define the program’s architecture, branding, and communication. This phase is crucial. It ensures that the program aligns with the specific goals and needs of our clients and entrepreneurs.

Launch and selection

In the next 1-2 months, we focus on finding and selecting entrepreneurs and mentors. We use a matching process based on purpose and skills. This way, we ensure that each entrepreneur is paired with the ideal mentor who can guide them effectively.

Practical incubation

The heart of our direct programs of Bridge for Billions is the 4-6 month incubation period. During this time, entrepreneurs participate in an online platform. This includes individualized mentoring and eight practical learning modules. This “learning by doing” approach allows them to develop their business plan. They also prepare to face real market challenges.

Closing and evaluation

Finally, we dedicate one month to the closing and evaluation phase. We hold closing sessions, issue certificates, and organize a Demo Day. Additionally, we prepare an impact report of the program. We track the impact for two years. This way, we ensure that entrepreneurs continue to progress and grow.

Case study: Program with VISA

A standout example of our direct programs of Bridge for Billions is the collaboration with the VISA foundation. We support small and micro businesses led by minorities during and after the pandemic. This program supported up to 122 entrepreneurs in America. Over 200 VISA employees were involved as mentors. They provided valuable guidance and fostered internal collaboration. The initiative showed VISA’s commitment to underserved businesses during COVID-19. Additionally, it plans to expand to Europe. It highlights its scalability and impact in supporting early-stage SMBs through social innovation.

For more details about this case study, you can download the full business case here.

Impact

Since their creation, the direct programs of Bridge for Billions have proven to be extremely effective. Over 70% of our alumni continue with their projects two years after the program. 62% have created jobs, and 43% have obtained funding. These results underscore our commitment to promoting more robust and inclusive economies.

Conclusion

At Bridge for Billions, we believe in the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives and communities. Our direct programs not only provide entrepreneurs with the necessary tools for success. They also create a lasting impact on local economies. Join us and be part of this transformation!

The post Transforming ideas into realities: The direct programs of Bridge for Billions appeared first on Bridge for Billions.

Gina joined one of the incubation program powered by VISA and Bridge for Billions in this region, during 2023.

When Gina Ramos started Takiyo Japan Solar Lights in 2019, she was fueled by more than just an entrepreneurial spirit—she was driven by a passion for the planet.

In a cozy chat with our team, Gina opened up about her journey and shared some golden nuggets on building a business that’s not only profitable but also kind to earth.

The Spark Behind It

This story began with a simple yet powerful mission: to revolutionize lighting with eco-friendly solutions, particularly since in several areas of the Philippines many still live without reliable electricity. Gina’s eyes light up when she talks about her motivation. It’s clear that for her, Topline is more than a business—it’s a calling to combat environmental issues.

Connecting with Hearts, Not Just Wallets

Gina believes the secret sauce to the business growth has been genuine relationships. “It’s not just about making a sale,” she says, emphasizing how they focus on connecting deeply with their clients.

This approach has turned happy customers into vocal advocates, significantly widening their reach. She also touched on the unique challenges of catering to both B2B and B2C markets, from managing bulky inventories to navigating competitive pricing pressures.

Navigating Changes and Challenges

Adapting to the e-commerce model during the pandemic was a game changer for Takiyo Japan Solar Lights. Gina decided to move online, and this helped them stay connected with their customers and even expand their market during tough times. She’s a firm believer in being flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the business landscape.

The Transformative Power of Incubation Programs

She lights up when talking about how much the business has benefited from incubation programs. These programs provided them with crucial resources like mentorship and networking opportunities, which were instrumental in refining their product line and scaling their operations.

Heartfelt Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For those dreaming of starting their own business, Gina has a trove of advice. She stresses the importance of understanding local cultures and building trust, especially in places like the Philippines where business relationships are deeply personal. “Dive deep into the community you’re serving,” she suggests, “and always, always lead with integrity.”

She also encourages new entrepreneurs to soak up as much knowledge as possible from incubation programs and to never shy away from tweaking their business models based on real-world feedback. “Keep your vision clear, stay passionate, and never stop pushing the envelope,” she adds with a smile.

This #StoryOfBillions wants to highlight how sometimes, true success comes from serving others and protecting the planet we all share.  

At Bridge for Billions we truly want to help entrepreneurs of all kinds thrive, so they can generate new jobs and solutions for the sake of their own communities. In 2023, our work focused particularly on supporting climate solutions, powered by partners like UNEP – with whom we implemented programs throughout Africa and Asia.

You can learn more by downloading the case study here.

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Let’s delve into the key insights: this might be useful to identify trends and have an overview on the actions they expect them to take.

Supporting Causes: A Priority for Consumers

An in-depth knowledge of your target’s main values may be the best strategy.

A staggering 71% of global consumers express a preference for brands that contribute to causes they care about deeply, better if through. This inclination reflects a growing trend where consumers seek to align their purchasing decisions with their values, making ethical and socially responsible brands more attractive than ever.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

An overwhelming 73% of global consumers believe it’s crucial for the brands they support to actively promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This finding underscores the increasing importance consumers place on issues of representation, equality, and social justice. Brands that champion DEI initiatives are likely to resonate more deeply with their target audience.

Credibility of Sustainability and DEI

Despite the growing emphasis on sustainability and DEI, it is interesting to see how only 58% of global consumers trust the credibility of messaging from brands in these areas. This statistic highlights the importance of authenticity and transparency in brand communication. Consumers are becoming more discerning, demanding genuine commitments and tangible actions from the brands they engage with.

And another global consumers trend: a significant 52% of consumers believe that brands should demonstrate their commitment to DEI through broader actions and support beyond their core offerings. This sentiment emphasizes the need for brands to go beyond token gestures and integrate DEI principles into their entire organizational culture and operations.

Key Causes Driving Consumer Engagement

Healthcare access emerges as the top cause for consumers globally, followed closely by health and wellness, economic uncertainty, environmentalism, and poverty.

Among DEI areas, gender equality and racial equity rank highest in importance for global consumers, followed by income equality and education.

Brands that address these pressing issues not only contribute to societal well-being but also enhance their appeal to socially conscious consumers.

Finally, among possible environmental concerns – one of the biggest trends at the moment – we identified climate change, plastic waste, water pollution as paramount for global consumers. Brands that take meaningful steps to address these concerns demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and resonate with environmentally conscious consumers.

As consumers continue to wield their purchasing power for social and environmental change, more and more brands must rise to the occasion, driving meaningful progress for a better world. 2024 is the perfect year to embark on an innovative journey of positioning and impact making: at Bridge for Billions we call it The new CSR Era.

Interested in learning more about how we help brands position themselves as real promoters of change? You can start by joining our newsletter here.

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