Capital and Markets for the Missing Middle
This thesis investigates innovative solutions to improve market access in developing countries, with a s pecific focus on bridging the gap between global capital and product markets and the so-called "missing middle".
The missing m iddle traditionally refers to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME s) in developing countries that are too large for microfinance, but t oo small, informal and risky for traditional financial institutions. Smallholder farmers in cash crop value chains face a similar challeng e: they have outgrown local demand but are too small to access global export markets.
The research explores innovative interme diary channels designed to improve access to finance and markets for these companies and farmers. By analyzing the behavior of private imp act investors on a crowdfunding platform and the dynamics of smallhol der farmers in an export-oriented value chain, the dissertation ident ifies key challenges in these market connections.
More informat ion on the thesis
DESCRIPTION: Capital and Markets for the Missing Middle This thesis in vestigates innovative solutions to improve market access in developin g countries, with a specific focus on bridging the gap between global capital and product markets and the so-called "missing middle". ;The missing middle traditionally refers to small and medium-sized en terprises (SMEs) in developing countries that are too large for micro finance, but too small, informal and risky for traditional financial institutions. Smallholder farmers in cash crop value chains face a si milar challenge: they have outgrown local demand but are too small to access global export markets. The research explores innovative intermediary channels designed to improve access to finance and marke ts for these companies and farmers. By analyzing the behavior of priv ate impact investors on a crowdfunding platform and the dynamics of s mallholder farmers in an export-oriented value chain, the dissertatio n identifies key challenges in these market connections.More informat ion on the thesis END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR