FUNDES
FUNDES promotes and drives the competitive development of Micro, Small and Medium - Sized Enterprises in Latin America.
FUNDES is a network of solutions for enterprises that contributes to improving the sustainable development, competitiveness and environment of Micro, Small and Medium - Sized Enterprises (MSMEs). Since its creation by Stephan Schmidheiny in 1984, FUNDES has positioned itself as a reference for MSMEs in the region, with a network of offices in 10 countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela). Its headquarters are located in Costa Rica. The FUNDES network consists of 200 direct collaborators and more than 400 indirect collaborators (consultants and facilitators).
FUNDES provides the following services to MSMEs and their partners: It promotes both entrepreneurial spirit and business initiatives; improves general business conditions and helps identify and overcome barriers to competitive development, conducts and supports research and offers innovative solutions; promotes strategic alliances and institutional improvements to increase the regional and sectorial competitiveness of MSMEs, and finally, strengthens business competitiveness through global services that combine research, training and consulting.
Over time, FUNDES has developed a network of partners with governments and municipalities at national, regional and local level; as well as with multilateral organizations, private foundations, etc., that work to promote the development of MSMEs. FUNDES’ products have crossed the boundaries of the Latin American network and have been exported through franchises to other Latin American countries (Peru) and other regions (Africa).