Empowering Guatemala: How GEDI Transformed Entrepreneurship Through Partnerships

Building GEDI: A Vision for Inclusive Prosperity in Guatemala

In 2021, the Guatemala Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (GEDI) was born out of a bold vision—to generate inclusive, sustainable economic opportunities that would anchor communities and reduce migration pressures. At its heart, GEDI is a public-private partnership shaped by collaboration, innovation, and a firm belief in the power of small and growing businesses (SGBs) to transform lives.

Having played a founding role in conceptualizing and launching GEDI, I had the privilege to work alongside leaders from USAID, the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), and a broad array of partners across Guatemala. Together, we sought to reimagine entrepreneurship not just as a business venture but as a community solution to some of the country’s most entrenched challenges.

From Conception to Execution: How GEDI Came Together

GEDI emerged as a strategic response to the findings that entrepreneurs in Guatemala—especially women, youth, and Indigenous people—faced significant barriers: limited access to finance, scarce business support services, and a fragmented ecosystem. Our mission was clear: to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in regions heavily affected by migration.

Three core pillars formed GEDI’s strategy:

1. Ecosystem Engagement: Building connections among entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs), financial institutions, academia, and government.

2. Coalition Building: A collaborative RFP process identified implementing partners and secured matching funds from the private sector.

3. Regranting Facilities: Two rounds of funding catalyzed localized innovation through 16 ESO partnerships across all 22 departments​.

In my role, I helped design the coalition and regranting structure, drawing from best practices in ecosystem engagement, capital mobilization, and inclusive innovation. Those lessons are now informing future activities, including integration into the broader ALD Strategic Advisory approach.

GEDI’s Impact: Data-Driven Results

As of 2024, GEDI has made measurable strides:

• 161 entrepreneur support organizations funded, with national presence​.

• Over 500 growth-oriented entrepreneurs have accessed expanded services​.

• More than $14 million in private sector capital was mobilized to support Guatemalan businesses​.

• USAID's commitment was renewed in 2024, increasing funding to $11.5 million with a two-year extension​.

These numbers reflect not just outputs, but transformation—businesses scaling, jobs being created, and confidence growing in regions where opportunities were once scarce.

Private Partnerships & Entrepreneurial Success Stories

GEDI would not be possible without its robust private sector partnerships. Anchored by support from organizations like PriceSmart, Mastercard, Heifer International, Argidius Foundation, and Starbucks, GEDI ensured that catalytic capital met localized innovation.

For example, the Women’s Business Growth Initiative led by INCAE—with backing from Mastercard, Cargill, and BAC Credomatic—has helped 80 women-led SMEs gain access to financing and market connections​. Meanwhile, REI (Red de Empresarios Indígenas) has used GEDI support to integrate Mayan identity into business education while influencing public policy by working with MINECO to grow a Q2 million trust fund and unlock Q600 million in capital investment funds​.

A Model for Government Collaboration

GEDI has become a trusted partner to the Government of Guatemala, particularly through its engagement with the Ministry of Economy (MINECO). The CoLab initiative, a working group within GEDI, is now advising the Vice Ministry for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MIPYMES) on strategies to certify and finance Entrepreneur Support Organizations, thus institutionalizing ecosystem support mechanisms​.

Through policy dialogue, data-sharing, and pilot initiatives, GEDI is not only fostering entrepreneurship but influencing the very policies and structures that shape business environments in Guatemala.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact Through ALD Strategic Advisory

As we move forward, the insights from GEDI are directly informing ALD Strategic Advisory’s broader engagement in Guatemala and the region. GEDI’s emphasis on locally led development, inclusive finance, cross-sector coordination, and gender-responsive programming offers a replicable model for economic development.

My experience with GEDI reinforces a powerful truth: when local visionaries, global institutions, and private investors unite around a common cause, transformative change isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.