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About infoDev: A World Bank Group Program to Promote Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Entrepreneurs in developing countries face many challenges in their journey to launch high-growth companies. Yet when they succeed, entrepreneurs can act as powerful agents of change — reducing inefficiencies, creating jobs, and boosting economic development.

infoDev is a World Bank Group multi-donor program that supports entrepreneurs in developing economies. We oversee a global network of business incubators and innovation hubs for climate technology, agribusiness, and digital entrepreneurs. We also publish educational resources on topics like crowdfunding, angel investing, and business incubator management.

Through Climate Innovation Centers, Mobile Application Labs (mLabs), and Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Centers, we connect entrepreneurs with the knowledge, funding, and markets they need to grow their businesses. Our inspiring clients work in the Caribbean, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Vietnam, and more.

infoDev serves its clients, partners, and the development community by:

  • Piloting programs to accelerate the growth of agribusiness, climate technology, and digital startups in developing countries
  • Publishing research to share knowledge about business incubation, access to finance, and the characteristics of high-growth entrepreneurs
  • Promoting inclusive strategies for women, minorities, youth, people living in extreme poverty, and other marginalized groups

infoDev was founded as an ICT-for-development research leader in 1995. Our ambitious agenda is made possible thanks to generous support by bilateral donors and private sector partners.


Stories

Proof of concept

Nepal: Bees Keep This Small Start-Up Busy

Nepal: Seizing Opportunity by the Teeth

Nepal: Ice Cream Start-Up Benefits Over 200 Farmers and Reaches 400 Retailers

Pilot to scale

eLum’s Innovation Illuminates Energy Savings for Moroccan Businesses

Ghana: Tech Entrepreneur Connects Farmers to Global Supply Chains

Tanzania: Jamii Is Increasing Digital Inclusion and Making an Impact

Technology Entrepreneurs See Increased Financing with XL Africa

Promising ideas

New Climate Center in Brazil Brings Together Entrepreneurs and Farmers

Vietnam Goes Green: Company’s Microbes Reduce Pollution from Agriculture

Kenya Goes Green: Entrepreneur Skips Soil, Uses Only Water to Farm Food

Youth Making the Caribbean Green with Waste Material

Jamaica: Homes Made from Waste? Entrepreneur Pioneers Climate-Friendly Construction

Entrepreneur is Testing Eco-Friendly Techniques in the Green Heart of Jamaica

Sri Lankan Exporters Go Green to Enter New Markets

Start-Up in Ghana Turns Waste into Cooking Gas

Kenyan Start-Up Provides Clean, Cheap Solution to Enrich Soil, Fight Pollution

Green Entrepreneurs Bring Clean Cooking to Ethiopia

The Solar Entrepreneurs Who Light Up Ethiopia

Despite Booming Green Market, Financing Remains a Challenge for Kenyan Entrepreneurs

What Does it Take to Scale Green Businesses?

6.4 Trillion Reasons to Fight Climate Change

At Green Tech Startup Bootcamp, Jamaican Physics Student Finds Passion in Entrepreneurship

How Waste Energy in Kenya is a Good Bet

Global Incubator 1776 Announces Winners of Africa Challenge Cup

Evolution of an mLab: Innovating and Iterating to Help South African Entrepreneurs

Caribbean Transit Solutions: Paving the Way for a More Efficient Caribbean Transportation System

Investors Take Notice as Start-Up Sendy Disrupts Last-Mile Logistics in Kenya

Turning Youth into Developers, and Developers into Entrepreneurs!

Creating Digital Markets for Traders in Mozambique

South Africa: Start-Up Geekulcha Grows Tech and ‘Geek’ Culture at Colleges and Beyond

EmptyTrips Enables Smart Transport, Reducing Waste, Emissions, and Costs

De Jeunesse Bath and Body Products wins top US$5,000 prize at LINK-Caribbean Pitch Competition

3 Jamaican teams cop top spots in PitchIT Caribbean Slush GIA Competition

iHub, World Bank to showcase 20 promising digital entrepreneurs and locally relevant innovations from East Africa

Kenia Mattis: How to ‘Design’ an Online Education Business

Girls Don’t Code? In The Caribbean, They Lead Tech Startups

Reperio Offers Gamified Language Learning for Caribbean Youth

Shining the Spotlight on West and Central Africa’s Entrepreneurs

Women Sweep Top Prizes at Second PitchIT Caribbean Challenge

World Bank Group, CTIC Dakar Launch Tech Lab to Spur West and Central Africa’s Digital Economy

DEMO Africa Brings Together Thought Leaders and Deal Makers

Newlyweds Follow PitchIT Caribbean Win with Angel Backing

Big Potential for Crowdfunding in the Caribbean

More Firms Set to Get Angel Investment

WomenX: Multiplying the Power of Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Findrpro: A New App For The Bahamas Receives Link-Caribbean Investment

Women Entrepreneurs from the Caribbean Soar to New Heights

Spawning a Market for Mushrooms in Ethiopia

Kenya CIC-supported venture creates a new market for bottled biogas