60 New case studies of Inclusive Business Models
Get access to 60 new case studies of inclusive business models including the poor as clients and customers, and as employees, producers, and business owners
Searchable database
The Growing Inclusive Markets (GIM) Initiative is a UNDP project that seeks to understand, enable, and inspire the development of more inclusive business models around the globe.
The GIM has recently released 60 new case studies of business models, which include the poor on the demand side as clients and customers, and on the supply side as employees, producers, and business owners along the value chain.
The case studies from Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe are thoroughly researched and provide evidence of various ways to develop proven business models that are inclusive in emerging and frontier markets. .
The case studies are organised by several well-defined variables and are available in a searchable database.
Categorising business models
The case studies from GIM are mapped in a strategy matrix. The strategy matrix list is made up of five constraints in low-income markets and five strategies which companies apply to overcome constraints and operate within the desired low-income markets. Within the case reviews, the matrix provides a useful outline of the solutions, which the companies applied to solve their problems and develop their value propositions. The colour highlights within the matrix, shows how the strategies are most often applied by companies. Strategies highlighted in dark blue are used most often, those in light blue only rarely. Successful inclusive business models typically combine several strategies to address several constraints.
Example of the matrix in use
Toyola Energy is a Ghanaian venture producing and distributing energy efficient charcoal stoves and solar lanterns for domestic users in the urban and rural parts of Ghana. The company has developed an innovative business model that includes the poor along the whole value chain as suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and customers. However, the business model also meets several constraints, which have been dealt with in ingenious ways as displayed in the matrix:
Working with cases and generating ideas for business models
The strategy matrix is also valuable as a tool in your company to map possible solutions to constraints within your targeted market. To get from broad strategies to focused solutions one must not only identify each local constraint, but also understand its dynamics in the market. The strategy matrix can be combined with Osterwalder, Pigneur, & al. business model canvas, which is a visual template pre-formatted with the nine core blocks of a business model. The canvas allows you to develop and sketch out new business models.
Further reading and resources
In addition to the extensive case database from GIM, NextBillion holds an impressive case collection. Below we have summarised key resources: