News
Incubators play a critical role in supporting entrepreneurs, yet many face persistent systemic challenges: from operational sustainability and limited access to talent to fragmented ecosystems and questions of credibility. These challenges have significant impact on the African MSME ecosystem, and they cannot be solved in isolation.
In response to this issue, Small Foundation is excited to partner with Pollinate Impact, a global network of incubators working to drive collaboration and systems level change across the incubation industry.
Founded in 2023, Pollinate Impact brings together 43 incubators across East Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Through shared best practice and collective action, Pollinate Impact is helping incubators provide more consistent, high-quality support while strengthening their voice within the ecosystem. By generating evidence and convening key stakeholders, the network is enabling incubators to influence funders, investors, and policymakers.
This work is delivered through member driven activities, including convenings, peer learning, and facilitated connections between incubators, funders, investors, and talent. In parallel, Pollinate Impact develops research and shared tools that support incubators to strengthen their operations and adopt best practice.
The partnership with Small Foundation will support the continued growth of this work over the next two and a half years, by strengthening core operations and enabling deeper collaboration across the network, as Pollinate Impact works towards building a more coordinated, resilient, and impactful incubation ecosystem.
“We’re genuinely grateful for Small Foundation’s investment – it’s like hitting fast-forward on what matters most: helping incubators run with confidence, collaborate like pros, and speak up with a powerful collective voice. Their backing for leadership development and network know-how fits perfectly with Pollinate Impact’s mission to champion and support incubators all across the Global South. When we team up like this, we’re not just creating a stronger incubation ecosystem – we’re setting the stage for real, lasting impact. And yes, we’re excited for what’s next!”
– Arielle Molino of Pollinate Impact
