Where Investment Meets Inclusion: Lessons from GEDI and Alterna in Guatemala

In Guatemala’s highland communities, small and growing businesses (SGBs) do more than drive local economies, they anchor families, reduce migration pressures, and create lasting opportunities. ALD Strategic Advisory celebrates the powerful results achieved through the Guatemala Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (GEDI), a USAID-led partnership implemented by the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), and its collaboration with Alterna, a Guatemalan innovation center focused on inclusive business development.

Delivering Results Where They Matter Most

Alterna was among the first subgrantees selected under GEDI’s regranting facility. Its “Sustainable Value Chains and Thriving Communities” project was designed to boost rural entrepreneurship in migration-affected regions. With support from GEDI, Alterna provided tailored business and technical services to entrepreneurs and producer organizations in Alta Verapaz, Sololá, San Marcos, and Huehuetenango.

The results speak for themselves. Alterna delivered capacity-building support to 80 SGBs and 6 producer groups, focusing on high-value agricultural sectors, organic coffee, cocoa, and vegetables, that are vital to rural livelihoods. Working with a consortium that included Rikolto (agriculture and value chains), Programa Valentina (youth leadership and gender equity), and ZOHO (digital innovation), the project offered a holistic package of support.

Transforming Access to Finance and Services

Alterna focused heavily on helping entrepreneurs overcome a major hurdle: access to capital. Through its investment-readiness work, 26 businesses were connected to potential financiers. One firm (Chica Bean) secured a $50,000 loan after completing the program’s business development and coaching track—demonstrating how tailored support can convert into real investment outcomes. On the WASH front, Alterna and its partners delivered practical support to 100 producer families, including the rollout of banana circles for wastewater reuse. Site visits in communities such as Nojoyá and Rancho Viejo helped troubleshoot implementation and reinforce adoption.

A Smarter Way to Build Resilient Enterprises

The project didn’t stop at training. It positioned rural businesses for long-term growth by:

• Coaching entrepreneurs to access gender-smart and blended finance options

• Delivering business support in financial planning, market analysis, and digital tools

• Integrating SGBs and cooperatives into regional and international supply chains

This model goes beyond technical assistance. It builds capacity, unlocks capital, and links producers to the broader economy.

What’s Next: Lessons for Scaling Success

This project offers valuable takeaways for donors, governments, and investors looking to create deeper, more inclusive impact:

• Use value chains as platforms for development—particularly in migration-prone regions

• Invest in ESOs and regranting facilities to extend reach and foster sustainability

• Pair capital with coaching to bridge the gap between readiness and results

• Incorporate cross-cutting priorities like gender equity, WASH, and digital skills into business support

The Alterna model worked. Entrepreneurs like Chica Bean advanced into acceleration programs and showcased their products at regional trade fairs. Others secured financing, market access, and critical infrastructure support. These outcomes show what’s possible when local talent meets strategic support.

Why It Matters to ALD Strategic Advisory

Alterna’s work aligns directly with ALD’s approach to strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems. It reflects several of our core principles:

• Locally Led, Systemically Supported: We believe that real impact starts with local actors. Like GEDI, our strategies prioritize partnerships that empower SGBs and elevate Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) as change agents.

• Capital and Capacity Go Hand-in-Hand: We help clients design catalytic funds, develop investor pipelines, and ensure that financial inclusion is matched with the skills entrepreneurs need to grow.

• Market-Driven, Mission-Aligned: From private sector engagement to value chain strategy, we specialize in helping organizations navigate commercial environments without losing sight of their mission

Whether you're building an entrepreneurial ecosystem, launching a regranting program, or helping SGBs grow in complex markets, ALD Strategic Advisory is here to help.

📧 Contact: Whitney Dubinsky | wdubinsky@aldstrategicadvisory.com

🌐 Website: www.aldstrategicadvisory.com