Putting the Spotlight on Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries

Australians are being encouraged to recognise entrepreneurs in developing countries who are working to “swim against the tide and flourish” on World Entrepreneurs’ Day.

The international day, taking place on Monday, aims to create awareness for entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership throughout the world.

Charity Opportunity International Australia, which provides microfinance loans to people living in poverty, said it was a time to honour and celebrate the “many remarkable entrepreneurs in developing countries” and recognise the similarities between them and Australian entrepreneurs.

Opportunity chief executive officer, Robert Dunn said he had been privileged over the years to meet “some remarkable entrepreneurs” in developing countries who were “succeeding, despite all odds”.

“Like Australian entrepreneurs, those in developing countries are creative, courageous, tenacious, resilient and are determined to build something,” Dunn said.

“They need seed funding to start and grow businesses, just like Australian entrepreneurs, and they take big risks.”

John Hagerty, the founder and chief executive officer of business consultancy Be Business and an Opportunity ambassador said entrepreneurs in developing countries were “incredibly inspiring”.

“When you look at the circumstances in which they live you realise just what a tough gig they have,” Hagerty said.

“The ones I have met are incredibly hardworking and dedicated to the betterment of their children and accepting of their own fate – that their own life isn’t going to change much for them personally but they have the capacity to make a better life for their children.

“They are totally committed to making that happen. They are predominantly focused on generational change and they are ok with that rather than focusing on themselves.

“It’s incredibly generous and selfless.”

Andy Jamieson, founder and CEO of financial technology business, Advisr and an

Opportunity director said World Entrepreneurs’ Day was a great vehicle for appreciating the challenges of entrepreneurs in developing countries who, while they were doing it tough, “relentlessly persevere”.

“It’s a mechanism to celebrate entrepreneurs and their crucial role in building enterprises and to particularly appreciate the exceptional courage and resilience of entrepreneurs in developing countries who often beat the odds and succeed in the most difficult circumstances,” Jamieson said.

Colour Capital CEO and Opportunity board member Matt Hope said the day put a spotlight on all entrepreneurs who were putting themselves on the line to create new businesses.

“For me, it’s a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurs in developing countries who work tirelessly to grow small businesses and help their families break the crippling cycle of poverty,” Hope said.

“I’m intrigued by the confidence of many entrepreneurs in developing countries given their incredibly tough circumstances. Their confidence against all odds.”