From Invisible to Investable: Innovations That Lift Women Entrepreneurs
About the Virtual SME Marketplace
Each month we are running sessions featuring leading small business lenders and SME growth facilitators who present their MSMEs offerings in a 7-minute pitch to an audience of potential financial institution clients and partners looking for impactful fintech solutions. Through those sessions - run by the SME Finance Forum - we foster collaboration between financial institutions, fintech companies, development finance institutions and investors.
Since its inception in April 2021, we have featured 200+ companies active in many different markets, attracted +3000 participants and generated many business leads, leading to investments, partnerships, and innovation advancement.
Digital lenders are increasingly recognizing the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs, who often face unique challenges in accessing traditional financing - as shown in this IFC report from March 2024, “Her Fintech Edge”.
This Marketplace session will feature digital lenders which are strategically targeting women entrepreneurs. They will share the challenges they are facing entering that market and the innovative tools they are using to make a difference:
- Data-Driven Underwriting: use of advanced data analytics and machine learning to assess creditworthiness based on a variety of inclusive business performance metrics.
- Tailored Financial Products: flexible terms, lower interest rates, and customized repayment schedules.
- Marketing and Outreach: targeted advertising, social media campaigns, and participation in women-focused business events.
- Educational Resources and Support: financial management, business growth strategies, and leadership skills.
- Community Building and Networking: connect with peers, mentors, and industry experts for sharing knowledge, gaining insights, and finding collaboration opportunities.
- Partnerships with Advocacy Groups: organizations that support women in business help amplify efforts to provide financial solutions and support to women entrepreneurs.
Organizer
The SME Finance Forum (SMEFF) is a network of 250+ members and affiliates with a coverage spanning across 190+ countries. The members are primarily financial services providers such as banks, fintechs, non-bank financial institutions, development finance institutions, credit guarantee companies, and microfinance institutions. The affiliates consist of policy advocacy groups, academia, SME and banking associations, training providers, and non-profit organizations. SMEFF was established in 2012 by the G20 and is managed by the International Finance Corporation with a core objective to scale financial services for SMEs. As the leading SME finance network globally, the forum steers industry innovations, supports replication of best practices, recognizes global champions, drives thought leadership, convenes influential stakeholders, and fosters global knowledge transfer.