Bridge for Billions

From Ethiopia to Costa Rica, our team has been enjoying great events recently! Here's to Lourdes Wong Meoño, Pere Cordón and Alejandro Botrán Farias who traveled last week to San José, Costa Rica, to attend the 9th edition of the Foro Latinoamericano de Inversión de Impacto (FLII CA&C 2024). 👉🏻 Why is this event key? Central America and the Caribbean are regions where local solutions are very much needed to tackle social, economic, and environmental issues. This space brings together people and organizations working for change, and encourages them to build partnerships so that together they can make a real and lasting difference for people and communities. As Bridge for Billions we couldn't help but be part of all this, this year too. It's been amazing to see all these changemakers in action! 💙

Last week, we had the privilege of attending the #WorldWithoutHunger Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was truly a standout event and a key space to start new conversations and partnerships, towards a world where hunger becomes a thing of the past. Great to see global leaders gathering to discuss pressing topics, including: 🔹 Scaling up sustainable, climate-resilient food systems 🔹 Improving access to clean energy within agri-food sectors 🔹Boosting investment in infrastructure, technology, and support for small-scale farmers, women, and youth 🔹Tackling the roots of food insecurity through new partnerships within the G20 Global Alliance We’re also happy to highlight our CEO, Pablo Santaeufemia, who contributed to the discussion with his speech, "How Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Secures Resilient Food Systems" – emphasizing the crucial role of supporting entrepreneurs in the food and agri-food sectors as key step towards achieving the goal of zero hunger. Yann Huguenard and Afia Bobia Amanfo also joined him, making this experience even more inspiring for our team. We’re grateful for the powerful conversations we started at this event and excited for what lies ahead 💙 African Union | Ethiopian Ministry of Industry(የኢፌዴሪ ኢንዱስትሪ ሚኒስቴር) | FAO

Our Sales team is looking for a committed US market expert! This position goes beyond traditional business development. The selected candidate will be executing innovative sales strategies for development actors, foundation and corporations, building strong relationships with key stakeholders. 👉 If you live in Central America, will you help us spread the word? Check the vacancy and apply here: https://lnkd.in/dniBKDEz 💙

Open call for Italian entrepreneurs with a migrant or refugee background 💙 For the second year in a row, we partnered with local organizations in Italy to launch free incubation programs to support entrepreneurs and promote diversity. The programs offer participants a 5-month, online and flexible journey, through which they can concretely structure, improve, and give visibility to their entrepreneurial projects. 📌 In its first edition, more than 60+ early-stage entrepreneurs in Italy were supported, helping turn innovative ideas into solid realities. 👩🏻💻 This is also a great opportunity for professionals who want to participate as volunteer #mentors. With minimal weekly commitment, they can join a community working to make the Italian economy more inclusive and innovative. Want to learn more? 🇮🇹 Applications for entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/d8iKdxUH 🇮🇹Applications for mentors: https://lnkd.in/d353yY8E An initiative promoted by the #Conecta network:  REFUGEE RESTART  INHUSE - Innovation Hub South Europe  Programma integra  

Our headquarters are in Madrid, and we can’t help but feel heartbroken by the latest devastation in the Valencia region. In many of the 69 impacted areas, basic necessities remain scarce—water is unsafe to drink, and people rely on emergency kitchens amid streets still covered in mud and debris. Bridge for Billions is about empowering people and ideas, supporting new entrepreneurial solutions and quality of life. But this isn’t the right time for that. This is the time to act as a community – being there for each other, when it matters most. Here’s some tips if you want to help affected communities: 👉🏻 If you live in Madrid, there are 22 active locations that collect donations. At the moment NO clothes, blankets or food are needed. Consider donating shovels, buckets, masks, rakes, etc..: https://lnkd.in/dHSWua7j 👉🏻 #AyudaTerreta connects volunteers with people in need of help. Through an interactive map, which is updated with information from users, you can check where help is needed: https://ayudaterreta.com/ 👉🏻 Voluntary health personnel are needed to help too: doctors, psychologists, pharmacists. If you belong to this field, you can register through this form made available by Sanitat de la Generalitat Valenciana: https://lnkd.in/deiPK86d 👉🏻 The Associació per a la Participació Política (APPCAT) has organized a convoy of volunteers. You can register or donate from the website: https://lnkd.in/dq_CNsyj 👉🏻 Finally, here’s a list of organizations collecting donations from anywhere in the world: 📎 Acción contra el Hambre: https://lnkd.in/d3UdtmzV 📎 Plan internacional: https://lnkd.in/g2auN_5 📎 Banco de alimentos: https://www.fesbal.org.es/ 📎 Cruz Roja Española: https://lnkd.in/dJciS35 📎 Cáritas Española: https://www.caritas.es/ Today more than ever, thank you for being human 💙

It's not easy to be an entrepreneur. But the world is full of amazing individuals with cutting-edge ideas, wanting to make a difference for their communities, cities or countries. And we need them. Together with international partners, we implement free entrepreneurship programs for all those who want to build solid foundations of their businesses, create a network and receive support through mentorship. During 5 months, participants will be able to work on their ideas through an online platform, with full flexibility. Check the list of available programs, apply or share with your network! 🔹 IN-HABIT | Call for Mentors for Latvian entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/dBX_YmqC 🔹 IN-HABIT | Call for Spanish entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/dbZ3aJs8 🔹 Puentes de Desarrollo III | Call for Guatemalan entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/dH-eGC-f 🔹 Programs for Migrants & Refugees in Italy: https://lnkd.in/d8iKdxUH 🔹 BBK Ekin | Call for entrepreneurs in Bizkaia region: https://lnkd.in/dWMZYmDT Can't find an opportunity for your country? 👉🏻 Sign up for our waitlist: https://lnkd.in/djJdzzGC 💙

In the past five months, 35 dedicated restaurant owners from #WashingtonDC and #Minneapolis have been working hard to diversify their revenue streams through business planning, in-person events, mentorship, and community networking. This journey was made possible by the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Restaurants: Live & Local Series, which held its final graduation events in both cities last week. It has been a great ride. All participants have shown incredible resilience and determination despite many challenges. And to support the next steps in their growth, each participant received a well-deserved $5,000 grant to fuel new revenue streams—whether through new brick-and-mortar locations, food trucks, packaged products, delivery services, or catering. For these and many other reasons, our colleagues Stephanie Esprester and Rachel Eilbott traveled to the U.S. to attend these events. They absolutely loved the energy, the people, and the inspiring community spirit they experienced. To all entrepreneurs: never stop believing in your dreams! Huge thanks to our program partner DoorDash, along with local support from Hospitality Minnesota, the Greater Washington Urban League, and DMV Black Restaurant Week, for their amazing commitment throughout this journey. There's always room for innovation and growth in the local food scene. Happy to be part of it 💙

Let's take a moment to celebrate three local organizations from Italy, joining the Conecta Migrants and Refugees initiative 💙 Within the Conecta framework, REFUGEE RESTART, INHUSE - Innovation Hub South Europe and Programma integra will be enhancing their skills, reach and collaboration across Italy, working together to offer free, high-quality incubation programs for foreign entrepreneurs. In 2023, migrant-owned businesses in Italy reached a total of 659,709, accounting for 11% of all businesses in the country. However, at least 42% of these business owners say they struggle to find the support and local networks needed to build a solid foundation for their businesses—a key factor in creating positive impact and promoting a more inclusive economy and society. A big thank you to these organizations leaders and Incubation Managers, who are committed to work together and build more accessible opportunities within their country. Gianni Giovine and Antonio Di Marco from Refugee Restart Pasquale Brancaccio and Anna Galdieri from INHUSE Valentina Fabbri and Emanuele Longari from Programma Integra Stay tuned, we’ll share more soon! #entrepreneurship #Italy #ConectaNetwork #economy

Looking for entrepreneurs in #Spain and #Latvia for the third edition of the IN-HABIT program! A free, exclusive training program for all those who have a business idea that could positively impact the communities they live in, especially in the fields of sustainability, well-being, food and cultural heritage. We help you turn your idea into reality ✨ Last year we had so many success stories and incredible journeys. If you want to learn more and understand how this opportunity can boost your entrepreneurial spirit, check the application pages (and feel free to apply!): 🇪🇸👉🏻 Open call for Spain: https://lnkd.in/dbZ3aJs8 🇱🇻 👉🏻 Open call for Latvia: https://lnkd.in/dBX_YmqC P.s. we're also looking for volunteer #mentors. If you're a professional with 5+ years of experience in any field, this could be the perfect chance to enhance your leadership and coaching skills, meet new people and make a difference. Comment for more info! Help us share this opportunity with your network 💙  ♻

Those smiles say it all 💙 They’re the result of an amazing collaboration between Bridge for Billions, Coca-Cola FEMSA Cola, and CentraRSE. But above all, we were all smiling because of the entrepreneurs who took part in the #EmprendeVerde incubation program – an initiative to support early-stage Guatemalan ventures make a positive impact on the environment. After months of work, 35 talented entrepreneurs just wrapped up their journey with a Demo Day, and we couldn’t be more excited to see their brilliant ideas come to life. An exciting result towards a greener and more sustainable Guatemala! . . Congratulations to the 3 awarded ventures: 🥇 #B’oteya, transforming plastic into everyday objects - by Ana Margarita Girón Aldana 🥈 #Odala, a marketplace for second-hand clothing - Juan José Sierra Urréjola 🥉 #EcoAquaCleaner, cleaning waters through nanotechnologies - by Evelyn Rodas Pernillo De Soto To all partners involved – Jane Magermans, Lourdes Castillo and Jonathan Valdez among many others – thank you for your presence and contribution✨