Building Markets to Ring Nasdaq Bell, Launching Global Campaign

Since its inception in 2004, the organization has supported over 28,000 small businesses across Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. These efforts have facilitated more than $1.5 billion in contracts and financing, resulting in the creation of 78,000 jobs. Executive Director Elizabeth Brown and Director for Latin America Carolina Durán will lead the event, joined by business owners from the organization’s network.

Central to the new campaign is the story of entrepreneurs like Vanessa Vélez, who utilized the group’s training programs to scale her Colombian spice business into the international market. By focusing on three core pillars—identifying growth potential, building capacity, and matchmaking with buyers—the nonprofit targets communities impacted by conflict and economic exclusion. The new initiative invites partners to bridge the gap between local talent and global markets, aiming to replicate success stories like that of Vélez on a wider scale.