In 2025, Ashoka Changemakers launched a project to spotlight the most impactful innovations supporting small businesses to thrive. We called these initiatives Small Business Ecosystem Builders: organizations, programs, and partnerships that give small businesses access to the resources, networks, tools, and opportunities they need to grow equitably and sustainably.
This document is part of Ashoka Changemakers’ effort to build knowledge about what strengthens small business ecosystems. It captures the key trends and insights emerging from ecosystem builders—their work, approaches, priorities, motivations, and the ways they navigate challenges.
