TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives. 

TechnoServe employs more than 900 people, the vast majority of them host-country nationals working in the field. Our staff combine business expertise with local knowledge, relationships and context to help hardworking men and women generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. 
 

 

Mission

We work with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries.

 

Vision

We will be the most effective catalyst and partner for transformative, on the ground, market based solutions to poverty.

 

How We Work

TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We help grow strong markets that create income and jobs in poor communities.

In order to achieve our mission, we operate as a catalyst and partner to strengthen market systems. We focus on market systems that have:

A clear opportunity – an unmet demand for a product or service
The potential for inclusive growth that benefits poor people in their roles as producers, entrepreneurs, employees or consumers
The potential for scale – impacting significant numbers of families

 

Our Approach

TechnoServe aims to be a catalyst and partner at all points in competitive markets. We work with individuals and businesses to address market failures – the constraints that prevent a market system from operating efficiently.

These constraints may include skills, technologies, availability of information, market linkages, access to finance, infrastructure, governance or policies. We address market failures in three ways:

Develop Capacity: We help individuals and communities acquire skills, share knowledge and apply the technologies needed to build successful farms and businesses.

 

Strengthen Market Connections: We coordinate among industry players and connect emerging businesses and farms to capital, networks and suppliers.

 

Improve the Business Environment: We encourage self-sustaining economic activity by addressing the policies, information and incentives that help markets function better.