From little things big things grow

Micro enterprises might be the smallest of small businesses, but they are the biggest sources of jobs globally, and the fastest growing business sector. Helping low-income entrepreneurs start and expand very small businesses is a vital part of economic development strategy in many countries and communities and something which HP has an ongoing commitment to through its global Micro Enterprise Development program.

The program provides HP technology, cash and curriculum to assist not for profit organizations that help entrepreneurs and micro businesses with training, advice and start-up funding. 

In Asia Pacific, HP have recently announced 17 grants to 11 organizations in India, China, Indonesia, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, all who will receive an USD$80,000 grant under this innovative program to assist them with their work nurturing successful entrepreneurs in their communities.

According to Rita Sully, HP’s Corporate Affairs Manager for APJ, one thing that micro enterprises, and the agencies that support them can lack is access to the latest technology and the benefits this provides in honing efficiencies and training individuals in key business skills. 

“Helping successful micro enterprises get off the ground, expand, access technology, and become more efficient and sustainable, is a direct way HP can help communities around the region address high unemployment, economic challenges and marginalization,” Rita said.

The successful Asia Pacific applicants were all selected for the very real difference they are already making in their communities by training and supporting entrepreneurs, and the potential they have to do even more, with enhanced technology solutions. The successful organizations are:

• Korea International Trade Association
• ASEAN Foundation (Indonesia)
• Mission Australia
• Social Venture Australia
• Youth Business China (three grants)
• China Association for Employment Promotion (three grants)
• Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (two grants)
• Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship (India)
• Self Employed Women’s Association (India)
• Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (India)
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce (New Zealand).

Each grant recipient receives USD$50,000 of technology and training, including laptops, scanner/copiers, printers, servers and a wireless access point, and a curriculum of HP training courses including ‘Train the Trainer’ and ‘Smart Technology for a Smarter Business’. HP also gives each organization a USD$30,000 cash stipend to use for software, research, further training or income generation initiatives.

“HP has a strong commitment to working with these agencies, who are doing so much to encourage micro enterprises and help them flourish, as one sustainable solution to regional economic challenges and unemployment”, said Rita.

One recipient who has big plans for their grant is Indonesian based NGO ASEAN Foundation and according to the group’s Program Coordinator Monica Kappiantari, the grant will play an important role in increasing efficiencies and enhancing the scope of their work training the local community.

“The grant will help the ASEAN Foundation enhance our resources, both equipment and personnel.  We will use it to develop activities that will encourage micro entrepreneurs in Indonesia to access technology and get practical, hands-on training in how to use information and communications technology to be more productive and make their business grow.”

“This is an excellent partnership between us and HP, in encouraging micro entrepreneurs and addressing socio-economic disparities.

Like an increasing number of organizations around the region, HP is committed to Micro Enterprise Development as one potential solution to some of the world’s most pressing economic and social problems. For example, studies have shown that in China, some six million graduates are unable to find work each year, and India is also experiencing a growing issue of unemployment among university graduates.

Korea International Trade Association, or KITA, provides specialized courses in trade business for high school-age young women in Korea, to give underprivileged young women business training, management skills and start-up assistance.

ASEAN Foundation works with NGOs in Indonesia, providing training and promoting access to communications technology for disadvantaged groups. 

Mission Australia supports unemployed people in Australia, mainly from rural and remote communities, many of whom are from indigenous backgrounds. 

Social Venture Australia, in partnership with corporations and local government, helps enterprises which specifically seek to employ and train people who would otherwise be marginalized and excluded from employment. 

Youth Business China mobilizes all social sectors, especially the business community, to provide advice, mentoring, seed funding, technology and support that helps young people start their own businesses. 

China Association for Employment Promotion works with other agencies to address the massive and growing unemployment problem in rural China, by giving educated young people the training, knowledge and skills to start their own businesses. 

Entrenpreneurship Development Institute of India provides innovative education, training, consultancy, support and research to help entrepreneurs throughout the country. 

Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship, or XIME, is a business school in India providing quality management and entrepreneurship training to students entrepreneurs, many of whom are women. 

Self Employed Women’s Association, or SEWA, helps women across India grow their grass roots small businesses by harnessing information and communications technologies. 

The Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka, or AWAKE, has been empowering women in India for 23 years and promoting self-reliance, especially among rural women.