Ecosystem Solutions for the Impact Economy
The “Impact Economy” is comprised of multiple businesses and organisations across a broad spectrum of sectors. However, it is generally defined by four different categories: Social Enterprises (businesses, NGO’s and hybrid organizations). These funders are principally supporting the efforts of social enterprises; Intermediaries, are organisations that provide goods and services to both social enterprises and funders. What defines this group is its focus on impact; and finally, Research institutions. These are both academic organisations and others, which focus on the impact community with data and information to support decision making.
This collectively is the Impact Economy.
These are the enterprises implementing solutions to social and ecological challenges; Investors/funders (impact investors, development finance institutions and other public sector funders, philanthropists and angel investors).
This ecosystem is extremely young globally and particularly in Africa. As an emerging sector it is often fragmented, inefficient and absent of the information needed to make informed choices. Additionally, throughout the continent this ecosystem rarely forms part of policy frameworks or thinking at the municipal, regional or national levels.
Impact Amplifier functions across various dimensions of this ecosystem in multiple countries providing it with the perspective required to design and implement solutions to the fractures which exist. To-date, Impact Amplifier has initiated:
- Research: to support the ecosystem, which has ranged from understanding the impact economy in specific countries, sector specific knowledge to entice new social enterprise activity and the rationale and motivation for measuring impact.
- Solutions: to various inefficiencies in the ecosystem that have included eliminating logistical challenges to small farmer inclusion in large supply chains; digitally tracking food parcel donations; innovative models for local economic development; and demand and supply alignment in the digital skills marketplace.
Recent work
Advancing Regenerative Agriculture in South Africa
Africa Online Safety Platform
Assessing Impact Of Climate Change Businesses
Bridges For Music Academy Assessment
Building Resilience and Impact Assessments
Capacity Building Programme For Entrepreneurs and Intermediaries
Coffee Farming Ecosystem Research
Ethical Supply Chain and Impact Assessment: South African Design
Investment Readiness Programme for Social Entrepreneurs and Inclusive Businesses
Online Investment Readiness – Future Females
Online Investment Readiness – Sahara and Leap Africa
Scaling Climate Adaptation Businesses
More Services We Offer
Accelerating Impact Businesses
Impact Amplifier offers a range of acceleration and training programmes focused on getting impact businesses ready for investment.
Impact Strategy and Measurement for Large Companies and Institutions
Impact Amplifier supports high growth impact businesses to access funding from both local and international investors.
Fund Management for Impact Businesses
Impact Amplifier manages various funds to support high growth impact businesses.