Washington D.C, May 23, 2025 – Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, a leading research hub at Cambridge Judge Business School dedicated to advancing alternative financial systems, has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.
"SME Finance Forum proudly welcomes Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) to our global network. CCAF has been at the forefront of advancing knowledge in alternative financing systems, channels, and instruments. Their dedication to rigorous, interdisciplinary research and financial innovation aligns seamlessly with our mission to expand access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide," said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.
The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) at Cambridge Judge Business School was established in January 2015 to conduct cutting-edge, interdisciplinary, rigorous and independent research on the development of alternative financing instruments, channels and systems, as well as related socio-economic, regulatory and policy implications. Our team of researchers, experts, technologists and educators share the CCAF’s mission to accelerate the creation and transfer of knowledge that pushes the boundaries of research, catalyses the sustainable development of financial innovation and informs evidence-based regulation.
“At the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), we take a systems-level approach to advancing financial innovation through rigorous research, scalable digital tools, and transformative capacity-building initiatives. Our focus on key areas such as digital finance channels, fintech regulation, supervisory technology, and open finance allows us to produce independent, robust, and accessible knowledge that informs market development and evidence-based regulation. By joining the SME Finance Forum, we are excited to collaborate with its global network to share insights, drive innovation, and develop impactful solutions that empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to thrive in an increasingly digital financial ecosystem,” said Bryan Zhang, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance.
SME Finance Forum: Innovation & Partnership for MSMEs Growth
The SME Finance Forum, backed by G20 and IFC/World Bank, is the leading global network of 300+ members/affiliates operating in 190 countries. Network comprises of SME focused institutions providing and enabling finance and services- banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, payment platforms, development institutions, credit guarantee companies, insurers, investment funds, supply chain linked players, banking and SME associations, policy advocates, regulators, academia, consulting houses, knowledge aggregators.
Our member, affiliates, and associated stakeholders benefit from learning/replicating best practices from across the world, innovating new products for business growth, acquiring risk mitigation tools, establishing partnerships, attracting investors, and being recognized amongst a peer group of global innovators. Our products consist of “members only” solutions (like innovation hubs, solutions clinics, peer group networks, study tours, specialized tools and trainings, member portal repository, partnered initiatives) as well as public good services (200+ publications library, 500+ videos, webinars, newsletters, trainings, annual awards, annual event etc.)
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