Ardent Mentee of the Month: ECatalyst

ECatalyst is a nonprofit organization founded by Thomas Carlson whose purpose is to transform developing communities through their entrepreneurs. He and his team has done this by building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in developing communities within Rwanda & Ethiopia. Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems is one of the best ways to transform developing communities through connecting local entrepreneurs, empowering them with knowledge and resources, and providing a supportive environment for new businesses to grow.

ECatalyst is using entrepreneurial ecosystems to address the underlying causes of poverty, particularly the "Problem of the Missing Middle." By building an environment when entrepreneurs can thrive, ECatalyst is helping developing communities create truly sustainable solutions to local problems, and give the opportunity for everyone in that community to become catalysts of change. You can learn more about the "Missing Middle" in this video. The personal shift from being a person in need to an ownership mentality is what allows entire communities to transform in a sustainable way. ECatalyst is creating a model in Ethiopia that they hope to take to many other developing contexts around the world.

ECatalyst believes Western assistance works best when it serves underneath local leadership. With world-class training, mentors, resources, and a supportive community, great ideas come out of the most unlikely of places and can have massive impact. 

To see a list of the Entrepreneurs and their companies that ECatalyst has helped develop check here.