Tools and training to achieve inclusive business innovation

Gain knowledge, develop your skills and exchange knowledge with your peers!

Companies with an inclusive business (IB) model create value for themselves, for the poor, and for society. Often, their operations contribute to environmental sustainability. At the same time, they are financially sound, competitive, and scalable.

Sounds interesting? If you are an entrepreneur, you will know that this is only part of the picture. Inclusive business companies work in remote areas that are hard to reach, often struggle to successfully approach investors, and need ways to document their impact. They create affordable products for price-sensitive consumers, navigate environmental and societal challenges, and engage with a diversified set of stakeholders.

To realize their societal and economic potential, inclusive business companies constantly need to innovate. We have compiled the resources below to support you in the creation of a successful inclusive business model.

Tools and training for inclusive business companies

Here, you can find a selection of self-learning resources from iBAN and its partners about inclusive business topics. They are based on the latest research and carefully curated to meet your companies’ needs. Learn how to design your theory of change, incorporate social sustainability into your business model, or successfully approach investors!

If you are a beginner on the topic of Inclusive Business, take the hands-on e-learning course “Introduction to Inclusive Business,” developed by the Inclusive Business Action Network (iBAN). Enrol now for free and learn how to take advantage of a market of 4.5 billion people, create social value, and engage with your stakeholders at the base of the pyramid.

Where can I find more insights on Inclusive Business?

The resources below are targeted at entrepreneurs striving to improve their inclusive business model. If you are still unsure about the concept of Inclusive Business, get a basic introduction here or be inspired by our global Inclusive Business Impact Stories!

To learn about policy innovation on Inclusive Business, visit our subpage dedicated to the improvement of framework conditions for Inclusive Business. It is designed to give you an overview on how different countries are strengthening the framework conditions for Inclusive Business because they know that they are a key contributor to sustainable economic development.

More research is available in the publication database containing over 2,300 entries to date. Gain access to the latest knowledge on inclusive business model innovation, financial sustainability, and social value creation!

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Online Course

Street Shot of an African young woman working on business holding her tablet in a university in Bamako, Mali

Introduction Ă  l'entreprise inclusive

Cette formation apporte des connaissances de base sur l’entreprise inclusive, sa définition et ses caractéristiques. Il définit également les paramètres des groupes ciblés par l’entreprise inclusive et les conditions de leur implication dans la chaîne de valeur. Il décrit les différents secteurs dans lesquels la base de la pyramide est engagée, identifie différentes approches d’entreprise inclusive et illustre l’écosystème de l’entreprise inclusive. Globalement, il plaide en faveur de l’entreprise inclusive et souligne son impact positif sur les ODD.

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Online Course

Street Shot of an African young woman working on business holding her tablet in a university in Bamako, Mali

Introduction to Inclusive Business

This general introductory course imparts basic knowledge on inclusive business, its definition and features. The course also sets the parameters of the IB target groups and how they are involved in the value chain. It outlines the different sectors where the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) is engaged, identifies different inclusive business approaches and illustrates the inclusive business ecosystem. Overall, the intro course makes the case for inclusive business and highlights the positive impact of IB on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Toolkit

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Inclusive Business Toolkit

The aim of the inclusive business toolkit is to support both small and medium-sized enterprises and local business development consultants in their efforts to strengthen inclusive business activities in Base of the Pyramid markets.

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Toolkit

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Gender Equality Mainstreaming (GEM) Framework

The GEM self-assessment measures a company’s performance on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) components. Designed for companies to complete themselves, the self-assessment builds upon the ESG investment standard by mainstreaming gender across a range of ESG criteria. The self-assessment is made up of three surveys, with each survey asking gender-specific questions about one of the ESG components. The GEM self-assessment assists businesses to identify these types of value creation opportunities that can improve a company’s standing among its competitors.

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Online Course

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Access to Impact Investing for Social Enterprises

VIVA Idea and the Social Finance Academy co-created this “How To”-course based on practical experiences and proven concepts from the field. It is wrapped around a signature framework that explains – step by step – how the process of obtaining financing will typically unfold in real life, from getting investment-ready via signing a financing contract, to establishing good investor relations, avoiding mission drift and approaching the next financing (or responsible exit).

Region / Country

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