Building Markets creates jobs by unleashing the transformational power of small businesses. Why? It is estimated that 700 million people live in extreme poverty and COVID-19 is expected to increase that number by at least 150 million. The fastest way out of poverty is through jobs, and new jobs are created by small businesses. In fact, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) generate half of employment worldwide and create up to 86% of new jobs. However, in developing and crisis-affected markets, they are often bypassed by buyers, banks, and investors due to a lack of infrastructure and information. As a result, a key opportunity to begin creating employment, stability, and sustainable growth, is lost.
Our Model
For over a decade, Building Markets has successfully addressed this challenge through our find, build, connect model.
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Find SMEs
Verify SMEs through in-depth surveys and publish searchable business profiles and research
BETTER MARKET INFORMATION
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Build SMEs
Enhance the commercial and digital capacity of SMEs through training and advisory services
MORE COMPETITIVE SMES
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Connect SMEs
Tender distribution, matchmaking and events enables SMEs to access new buyers, customers, and capital
IMPROVED MARKET EFFICIENCY
New contracts and capital creates new jobs, livelihoods, capacity, and grows tax base
A more transparent and healthy market inspires confidence, investment, and reduces poverty and dependence on aid
Using local talent, our teams start by finding small businesses, which includes in-person interviews where we collect hundreds of data points on each enterprise. This information allows us to bring these businesses visibility, build their commercial capabilities, and connect them with demand opportunities in local, regional and global markets.
And we know this works. Since 2006, we have brought visibility to 26,500 SMEs, assisted them in winning over $1.35 billion in new contracts and $21 million in capital. This has helped create more than 73,500 full-time equivalent jobs.
Explore our impact
“Building Markets provides a bridge between suppliers and buyers and gives companies that use their services a chance to compete.”
Business Owner, Afghanistan - Afghanistan
Our impact in Afghanistan.
- 8,302
Businesses
Verified - $1,086,228,165
Contracts
Facilitated - 65,000
Jobs
Created
It is directly due to Building Markets’ efforts that we secured our first contract. After that, we had the leverage we needed to attract other jobs — both from our original partner and other NGOs.
Sasha Blanchet, Director-General of General Maintenance - Haiti
Our impact in Haiti.
- 3,966
Businesses
Verified - 1,023
Businesses
Trained - $28,763,865
Contracts
Facilitated
The creation of our company profile on Building Markets Matchmaking Platform improved our business visibility in a professional and presentable way. We would highly recommend Building Markets training to businesses who want to learn about marketing their products or importing to and exporting from Jordan.
Elham Zeadat, Chairwoman, Bloom Dead Sea Gift Enterprise - Jordan
Building Markets makes me feel that I have a partner who is interested in our growth, development and improvement.
Daniel Scott, Founder, Scott’s Industrial Construction - Liberia
Our impact in Liberia.
- 4,639
Businesses
Verified - 1,228
Businesses
Trained - $92,872,110
Contracts
Facilitated - 4,382
Jobs
Created
Mozambique is a complex operating environment where cultural and economic challenges persist. However, Building Markets has succeeded by carefully assessing needs, adapting its approach when needed, and actively engaging partners and stakeholders.
Edith Gouin, Fomer Senior Development Officer, Southern and Eastern Africa Global Affairs, Canada - Mozambique
Our impact in Mozambique.
- 362
Businesses
Verified - 255
Businesses
Trained - $12,504,564
Contracts
Facilitated
When I joined Building Markets' program, I realized that a lot was missing from my daily business operations. I’m so grateful that, through training, I learned how to achieve more in the short-term, as well as define and set business goals.
U Myat Thu, Owner of Shae Thot - Myanmar
Our impact in Myanmar.
- 3,215
Businesses
Verified - 624
Businesses
Trained - $19.76M
Contracts
Facilitated
I'm really happy with Building Markets’ assistance. Since listing my business with their service linking buyers to suppliers, I've received many more orders from NGOs and the government.
Marcelo dos Santos, Owner of KIOS Asela - Timor-Leste
Our impact in Timor-Leste.
- 3,090
Businesses
Verified - $13,594
Contracts
Facilitated - $20,329,729
Dollar
Value Impact
Not only has Building Markets opened up opportunities for me, but their training and support has helped me create a clear vision of my business’ potential.
Razan Alatassi, Founder of Salt and Sugar - Turkey
Our impact in Turkey.
- 2,572
Businesses
Verified - 784
Businesses
Trained - $16,507,643
Contracts
Facilitated - 3,081
Jobs
Created
I consider Building Markets to be one of the world's most innovative organizations working on rebuilding economies in war-torn and fragile states.
Robert Greenhill, Former Managing Director of the World Economic Forum
Learn How You Can Work With Us
We provide innovative and tailored services to small businesses and buyers, and engage investors, lenders, donors and partners in a range of customized ways.
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