--- title: "Seedstars, a pioneer on positive impact measurement in emerging markets" url: https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-pioneer-positive-impact-measurement-emerging-markets/ --- 1. [HOME](/) 2. [RESOURCES](/content-hub/) 3. [NEWSROOM](/content-hub/newsroom/) 4. SEEDSTARS, A PIONEER ON POSITIVE IMPACT MEASUREMENT IN EMERGING MARKETS ![Seedstars, a pioneer on positive impact measurement in emerging markets](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-Seedstars.max-1500x500.png) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ## Seedstars, a pioneer on positive impact measurement in emerging markets François Lafont JULY 9, 2018 ## ## **5 years of impact at Seedstars** #### WRITTEN BY François Lafont [CONTACT US](/contact-us/) As is now customary, Seedstars recently published its annual booklet for the year 2018. This year had a particular ring to it however as the Swiss company celebrated its 5th anniversary, a good opportunity to take an in-depth look at its impact so far. Seedstars has expanded its influence to far -reaching markets, brought many more remote ecosystems closer to one another and the number of participants at the events has seen a 300% growth **!** Still, Seedstars has more to show than its global reach. Its impact is multidimensional and assessing it is not a simple endeavour. Though, it is the metric that concretely drives all Seedstars operations and activities throughout the world. ![Sustainable Development Goals](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Sustainable_Development_Goals.width-800.png) _The Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations_ ## **A first impact report has been released in 2018** The Seedstars 2018 [entrepreneurship report](https://issuu.com/seedstarsworld/docs/seedstars-booklet) includes their first impact report with key metrics, designed to provide the reader with a concise yet comprehensive view of the work achieved so far in the last 5 years. Underlying those metrics is the DNA of Seedstars’ approach to a global impact. Its wide range of programs impact entrepreneurs in different degrees. Some are targeted directly, such as the bursary students of the Seedstars’ Academy program, or the recipients of microloans from [QuickCheck](http://www.quickcheck.ng/), a company built jointly by Seedstars and its Academy. Seedstars also contributes to impacting people’s lives by accelerating companies that the group identifies as potential high-impact changemakers. These companies benefit from Seedstars’ investments and mentorship, which reflects in their positive survival rates. Finally a large part of what Seedstars does is aimed at improving the entrepreneurial ecosystems in which they operate: through events, thousands of changemakers can connect and think together about innovative solutions for positive impact in emerging markets; through programs, they train entrepreneurs and corporates to make these solutions happen. ## **Impact measurement as a built-in component of Seedstars’ activities** The 2018 impact report is only the beginning of Seedstars’ impact measurement project **.** Some of Seedstars’ portfolio companies, such as this year’s global winner of Seedstars World Competition [Agrocenta](https://www.seedstars.com/magazine/agrocenta-ceo-challenges-entrepreneurship-ghana/), are already well-advanced in the measurement of their impact. Agrocenta for instance tracks and communicates the number of farmers reached by their solution and how much income they have helped them generate. Others, although fully dedicated to progress in important sectors, such as CMED in Health Tech or SolarFreeze in Energy Tech, are only starting to measure it. Huge efforts are being put in place internally to quantify this impact better. In the near future Seedstars hopes to be able to track and communicate this impact in real-time. The company remains committed to the SDGs, but these are now being brandished everywhere and the extent of the commitment is not always clear. Seedstars is thus currently working on developing its own metric and label of what it really means to make ‘positive impact’ in an emerging market. "Even though the SDGs are very popular and give the right way to take actions, we observed that the SDGs are overused, not very specific and give an expiration date to very important objectives everybody should be concerned about. By creating proper metrics that really apply to the emerging markets specificities, hopefully we can better measure and iterate on the efforts." says Pierre-Alain Masson, co-founder and senior partner at Seedstars. ## **The Seedstars Index as a way to measure the entrepreneurial maturity of an ecosystem in emerging markets** This approach has already been applied successfully in the [Seedstars Index](https://issuu.com/seedstarsworld/docs/seedstars-booklet), published and updated every year. The Index relies on data gathered during the world tour that happens every year during which more than 15 associates from Seedstars travel to 65+ countries and meet 2000+ entrepreneurs, investors, government officials and corporates from all over the world. The Seedstars index is a weighted average of several criteria designed to give a comprehensive measurement of the entrepreneurship culture, the suitability of the entrepreneurial environment and of the number of opportunities to start new entrepreneurial projects in the country. Each country visited gets a grade that represent the maturity of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. ![Three Core Pillars](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Three_Core_Pillars.width-800.png) _Source:_ [_Seedstars Index report 2018_](https://issuu.com/seedstarsworld/docs/seedstars-booklet) After five years, Seedstars has much to show in terms of analysis of the different ecosystems, and aims at always improving the measurement of both the positive impact and the entrepreneurial maturity of an ecosystem. Being at the centre of a vast network, the company has an affinity towards transparency, and will continue its activities following their internal motto “you can’t manage what you can’t measure”. ![Ecosystem Graph](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Ecosystem_graph.width-800.png) _Source:_ [_Seedstars Index report 2018_](https://issuu.com/seedstarsworld/docs/seedstars-booklet) _About the author: François Lafont has been studying the impact measurement of Seedstars as a consultant for several months._ NEWS / BLOGPOST GLOBAL AFGHANISTAN ECOSYSTEM ENABLER TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATORS & INCUBATORS INVESTMENT INDUSTRY ECONOMIC GROWTH ## More like this [ ![Entrepreneurs in Africa](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Entrepreneurs_in_Africa.max-320x550.jpg) AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Designing Virtual Learning Opportunities for Entrepreneurs in Africa [Q&A] If we say that COVID-19 has changed the world, it would be an understatement. COVID-19 disrupted our world. 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Jun. 05, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/learning-resources/5-simple-mistakes-start-ups-can-avoid-when-measuring-kpis/) [ ![Online Growth Program](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/onlinegrowthprogram.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Seedstars is Looking for Early-Stage Startups for its Online Growth Program Starting This Summer During summer 2020, Seedstars will be launching the next batch of its Growth Program, a virtual 3-month post-acceleration training designed to help startups build a growth team and implement a growth methodology. Jun. 04, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-looking-early-stage-startups-its-online-growth-program-starting-summer/) [ ![Seedstars Index](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Efficient_Tool.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### New Seedstars Index: Efficient Tool for Data-Driven Decision Making The Seedstars Index (SSI) has been fully reworked for the 2020 edition with the aim of achieving a higher quality predictive indicator for the success of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Why SSI is a powerful tool for data-driven decision making: Apr. 22, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/insights/new-seedstars-index-efficient-tool-data-driven-decision-making/) [ ![Times of Crisis](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/opportunities.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Opportunities for Startups and SMEs in Times of Crisis During challenging times is when we activate our survival, creativity and pro-solutions skills. Now is one of those moments. Apr. 20, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/learning-resources/opportunities-startups-and-smes-times-crisis/) [ ![Rebecca Enonchong](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Rebecca2.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • ENTERPRISE #### Rebecca Enonchong: To Be an Entrepreneur You Have to Be Crazy “If a black African woman could succeed in America in 1999, then all the entrepreneurs across the world can succeed!”, Rebecca Enonchong, tech entrepreneur, founder and CEO of AppsTech and iospaces. Feb. 03, 2020 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/rebecca-enonchong-be-entrepreneur-you-have-be-crazy/) [ ![Startups Africa](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/10africanstartups.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### 10 Startups from Africa to Compete for 500,000 USD During Seedstars Summit Africa 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Seedstars selected 10 the most promising startups from the continent that proved their ideas to be innovative and scalable. Dec. 15, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/10-startups-africa-compete-500000-usd/) [ ![Seedstars Summit CEE](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-From_Latvia_to_Mongolia_Seedstars_Summit_C.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • INVESTMENT #### From Latvia to Mongolia: Seedstars Summit CEE United 25 Countries in the Region What did the Seedstars Summit CEE 2019 in Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan bring to the community this year? Dec. 03, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/latvia-mongolia-seedstars-summit-cee-united-25-countries-region/) [ ![Seedstars Summit CEE](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/cee_summit1.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Seedstars Summit CEE Will Gather 100+ Founders From 20 Countries Under One Roof Kazakhstan, November 22. You would probably ask why Kazakhstan was chosen as the final stop for the Seedstars World Competition 2019? Oct. 30, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-summit-cee-will-gather-100-founders-20-countries-under-one-roof/) [ ![Online Training by Seedstars](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Seed_Stage_Startups.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • FINANCIAL SERVICES #### New Online Training by Seedstars: Key Business Metrics for Seed Stage Startups Seedstars is delighted to announce the launch of a new six-weeks training course. Oct. 23, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/learning-resources/new-online-training-seedstars-key-business-metrics-seed-stage-startups/) [ ![GP Accelerator 2.0 in Bangladesh](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/demoday.max-320x550.png) ASIA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### GP Accelerator 2.0 launches this November in Bangladesh with the support of Seedstars This November marks the start of a 4.5 months acceleration program by Grameenphone Accelerator (GPA) and Seedstars, which will take 10-12 startup teams in Bangladesh on a journey of idea validation, prototype building and becoming investable. Sep. 24, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/gp-accelerator-20-launches-november-bangladesh-support-seedstars/) [ ![Kickoff Bootcamp](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-MISK_Growth_Accelerator_Summary_of_the_Kic.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### MISK Growth Accelerator: Summary of the Kickoff Bootcamp The Misk Foundation has launched its Growth Accelerator for MENA tech startups in partnership with Seedstars and Vision Ventures. Sep. 20, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/misk-growth-accelerator-summary-kickoff-bootcamp/) [ ![Academy Program in Asia](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/seedstarsasia.max-320x550.png) ASIA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Seedstars Launches Its First Academy Program in Asia Seedstars has launched its first Seedstars Academy Program in Yangon on August 10th. The Program kicked off its first batch with a two-day bootcamp for the selected startups at Seedspace Yangon. Aug. 20, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-launches-its-first-academy-program-asia/) [ ![Seedspace GrowthLab in Lagos](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-Seedstars_and_GrowthLab_partner_up_to_crea.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Seedstars and GrowthLab partner up to create Seedspace GrowthLab in Lagos, Nigeria Seedstars and GrowthLab, two of the most prominent organisations impacting entrepreneurs in Nigeria, are happy to announce their partnership with the commitment to build high growth businesses in Africa. Aug. 14, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-and-growthlab-partner-create-seedspace-growthlab-lagos-nigeria/) [ ![MENA Growth Accelerator](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-Seedstars_to_Launch_MENA_Growth_Accelerato.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Seedstars to Launch MENA Growth Accelerator in Partnership with Misk and Vision Ventures Seedstars is launching a Growth Accelerator for MENA tech startups in partnership with Misk Innovation and Vision Ventures. Jul. 17, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-launch-mena-growth-accelerator-partnership-misk-and-vision-ventures/) [ ![Seedstars Powers up SmartScale](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/SmartScale.max-320x550.png) ASIA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Seedstars Powers up SmartScale, a New Acceleration Program in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Starting on 2nd May 2019 in Phnom Penh, SmartScale powered by Seedstars gathered 11 early-stage startups in a three-month acceleration program fuelled by 20+ international and local high-level mentors and an ambitious curriculum program. Jun. 21, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-powers-smartscale-new-acceleration-program-phnom-penh-cambodia/) [ ![Tech Ecosystem](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/tech_system.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Understanding the Tech Ecosystem in Francophone Africa Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Guinea, with their young and rapidly growing populations, are among the fastest growing economies in Africa. Jun. 19, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/insights/understanding-tech-ecosystem-francophone-africa/) [ ![The Investment Readiness Program](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### The Investment Readiness Program by Seedstars Starts in Six More Locations Yangon, Nur-Sultan, Bogota, Medellin, Lima and Mexico City are the new locations where the much anticipated Investment Readiness Program by Seedstars has started on the 6th of June. Jun. 10, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/investment-readiness-program-seedstars-starts-six-more-locations/) [ ![First Hub in Morocco](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-Casablanca_Seedstars_Announces_Its_First_H.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Casablanca: Seedstars Announces Its First Hub in Morocco in Partnership with Kowork Seedstars and Kowork are happy to announce the opening of their new entrepreneurship hub, Seedspace Casablanca. May. 17, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/casablanca-seedstars-announces-its-first-hub-morocco-partnership-kowork/) [ ![The Investment Readiness Program](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-Seedstars_Announces_the_Launch_of_a_New_Pr.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Seedstars Announces the Launch of a New Program Tailored for Startups: the Investment Readiness Program Committed to serving the entrepreneurs and startups from emerging markets, Seedstars has designed a brand new program with the purpose of supporting ventures looking to receive investment. Apr. 12, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-announces-launch-new-program-tailored-startups-investment-readiness-program/) [ ![Seedstars CEE Summit](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-Seedstars_CEE_Summit_2018_Where_Change_Has.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER #### Seedstars CEE Summit 2018: Where Change Has Its Roots Big change never happens overnight. It’s always the long-term work of a bunch of crazy people, who believe that they can break a status quo, move mountains, and change the whole world. Jan. 04, 2019 ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/seedstars-cee-summit-2018-where-change-has-its-roots/) --- ## Sitemap - [Sitemap](https://www.seedstars.com/sitemap.md): every public page on this site - [llms.txt](https://www.seedstars.com/llms.txt): what Seedstars does and where to start