In celebration of our companions and the good work they do to advance financial progress for all, we interviewed a few of our Nasdaq Basis quarterly grant recipients about their roles, backgrounds and the significance of their work. We spoke with Elizabeth Brown, Head of Partnerships at Constructing Markets, on their mission to unlock financial alternatives for small and rising companies, creating jobs and resilience in economically susceptible communities.
Inform us about Constructing Markets. What’s its core mission?
Constructing Markets’ core mission is to unlock financial alternatives for small and rising companies, creating jobs and resilience in economically susceptible communities. We do that by serving to small, native companies connect with new patrons, capital, and networks. By reducing limitations to development, Constructing Markets helps native enterprises safe contracts, create jobs, and strengthen the financial material of their communities. Up to now, now we have facilitated over $1.5 billion in income for small companies and created 75,000 jobs throughout 9 international locations.
Are you able to share a narrative that illustrates the impression of Constructing Markets? One instance is the story of Constanza, a Colombian entrepreneur who was compelled to flee her hometown as a toddler on account of armed battle. She confronted years of hardship however carried along with her a spirit of resilience the reminiscence of being surrounded by panela—a beloved unrefined sugar in Santander.
Seven years in the past, Constanza launched “Miel de Caña,” a pure panela syrup, which slowly began to obtain constructive suggestions. But she knew wanted greater than an excellent product to really scale: she wanted connections, patrons, and monetary literacy. That’s when she discovered Constructing Markets. By way of Buma Academy, Constanza gained vital administration abilities, and commerce festivals launched her to company patrons she by no means imagined reaching. Only one deal by means of Constructing Markets elevated her gross sales by 30%. At present, with rising income, she employs seven girls—moms with their very own tales of battle—and empowers them with a sustainable livelihood.
For Constanza, although, true success wasn’t only a enterprise deal; it was listening to her 10-year-old daughter proudly current “Miel de Caña” to her classmates, an indication that the enterprise she has proudly constructed has change into a household legacy and a logo of hope and alternative for others in her neighborhood.
Are you able to inform us extra in regards to the Sabias, Empresarias, Resilientes program? What impression are you hoping the Nasdaq Basis’s Quarterly Grant may have on its success? Sabias, Empresarias, Resilientes (SER) is a multi-year initiative designed to bridge the gaps girls entrepreneurs typically face within the enterprise world, significantly round digital presence and model identification. Constructing on a profitable first part, SER now affords new, topic-specific programs to reinforce on-line visibility, in addition to one-on-one technical help protecting model positioning and on-line gross sales. Contributors additionally acquire entry to a complete toolkit with sources for model evaluation, visible identification, key messaging, and content material planning.
Due to assist from the Nasdaq Basis’s Quarterly Grant, this system will broaden its attain, equipping girls entrepreneurs with instruments for sustainable enterprise development. This consists of matchmaking actions that join members with patrons and strategic companions, opening doorways to world markets. By reinforcing each foundational abilities and useful networks, SER fosters inclusive financial development—creating lasting alternatives for women-led companies and their communities.
What’s on the horizon in 2025 for Constructing Markets?
Constructing Markets plans to strengthen its presence in present areas whereas additionally increasing our impression to achieve new, underserved areas. Globally, a central focus is the event and testing of AI-driven instruments to carry extra visibility to small, various suppliers, making it simpler for them to attach with potential patrons around the globe. By leveraging information and modern know-how, we intention to streamline matchmaking processes and open up higher alternatives for native companies to safe income and create vital jobs. This 12 months, we may even pilot a working capital fund designed to assist entrepreneurs who battle to entry development financing by means of conventional channels.
In Colombia, we’re excited to develop the Sabias, Empresarias, Resilientes (SER) program in 2025, persevering with our efforts to handle the foundation causes of financial exclusion for small companies from marginalized communities. By providing sources that elevate the visibility and credibility of women-led enterprises, SER focuses on serving to them win the financial alternatives they deserve, construct purchaser confidence, and in the end improve their income and job creation. Attaining these outcomes contributes to extra cohesive, safe, and sustainable communities for everybody concerned. By way of these mixed efforts, we’re poised to speed up our impression, guaranteeing small enterprises have the assist they should thrive and scale effectively into the longer term!
In celebration of our companions and the good work they do to advance financial progress for all, we interviewed a few of our Nasdaq Basis quarterly grant recipients about their roles, backgrounds and the significance of their work. We spoke with Elizabeth Brown, Head of Partnerships at Constructing Markets, on their mission to unlock financial alternatives for small and rising companies, creating jobs and resilience in economically susceptible communities.
Inform us about Constructing Markets. What’s its core mission?
Constructing Markets’ core mission is to unlock financial alternatives for small and rising companies, creating jobs and resilience in economically susceptible communities. We do that by serving to small, native companies connect with new patrons, capital, and networks. By reducing limitations to development, Constructing Markets helps native enterprises safe contracts, create jobs, and strengthen the financial material of their communities. Up to now, now we have facilitated over $1.5 billion in income for small companies and created 75,000 jobs throughout 9 international locations.
Are you able to share a narrative that illustrates the impression of Constructing Markets? One instance is the story of Constanza, a Colombian entrepreneur who was compelled to flee her hometown as a toddler on account of armed battle. She confronted years of hardship however carried along with her a spirit of resilience the reminiscence of being surrounded by panela—a beloved unrefined sugar in Santander.
Seven years in the past, Constanza launched “Miel de Caña,” a pure panela syrup, which slowly began to obtain constructive suggestions. But she knew wanted greater than an excellent product to really scale: she wanted connections, patrons, and monetary literacy. That’s when she discovered Constructing Markets. By way of Buma Academy, Constanza gained vital administration abilities, and commerce festivals launched her to company patrons she by no means imagined reaching. Only one deal by means of Constructing Markets elevated her gross sales by 30%. At present, with rising income, she employs seven girls—moms with their very own tales of battle—and empowers them with a sustainable livelihood.
For Constanza, although, true success wasn’t only a enterprise deal; it was listening to her 10-year-old daughter proudly current “Miel de Caña” to her classmates, an indication that the enterprise she has proudly constructed has change into a household legacy and a logo of hope and alternative for others in her neighborhood.
Are you able to inform us extra in regards to the Sabias, Empresarias, Resilientes program? What impression are you hoping the Nasdaq Basis’s Quarterly Grant may have on its success? Sabias, Empresarias, Resilientes (SER) is a multi-year initiative designed to bridge the gaps girls entrepreneurs typically face within the enterprise world, significantly round digital presence and model identification. Constructing on a profitable first part, SER now affords new, topic-specific programs to reinforce on-line visibility, in addition to one-on-one technical help protecting model positioning and on-line gross sales. Contributors additionally acquire entry to a complete toolkit with sources for model evaluation, visible identification, key messaging, and content material planning.
Due to assist from the Nasdaq Basis’s Quarterly Grant, this system will broaden its attain, equipping girls entrepreneurs with instruments for sustainable enterprise development. This consists of matchmaking actions that join members with patrons and strategic companions, opening doorways to world markets. By reinforcing each foundational abilities and useful networks, SER fosters inclusive financial development—creating lasting alternatives for women-led companies and their communities.
What’s on the horizon in 2025 for Constructing Markets?
Constructing Markets plans to strengthen its presence in present areas whereas additionally increasing our impression to achieve new, underserved areas. Globally, a central focus is the event and testing of AI-driven instruments to carry extra visibility to small, various suppliers, making it simpler for them to attach with potential patrons around the globe. By leveraging information and modern know-how, we intention to streamline matchmaking processes and open up higher alternatives for native companies to safe income and create vital jobs. This 12 months, we may even pilot a working capital fund designed to assist entrepreneurs who battle to entry development financing by means of conventional channels.
In Colombia, we’re excited to develop the Sabias, Empresarias, Resilientes (SER) program in 2025, persevering with our efforts to handle the foundation causes of financial exclusion for small companies from marginalized communities. By providing sources that elevate the visibility and credibility of women-led enterprises, SER focuses on serving to them win the financial alternatives they deserve, construct purchaser confidence, and in the end improve their income and job creation. Attaining these outcomes contributes to extra cohesive, safe, and sustainable communities for everybody concerned. By way of these mixed efforts, we’re poised to speed up our impression, guaranteeing small enterprises have the assist they should thrive and scale effectively into the longer term!