Fact Sheet

Background

Trestle Group Foundation is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to creating and expanding sustainable economic opportunities in emerging economies by supporting high potential women-led businesses.

Mission

Guided by the belief that entrepreneurship fuels the engine that drives economic opportunity, growth and social progress, Trestle Group Foundation works to empower women entrepreneurs in emerging economies.

Scope

Women-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies.

The Importance of Women’s Entrepreneurship

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are key drivers of both economic opportunity and development. SMEs:

  • Encourage private ownership
  • Spur innovation
  • Create employment
  • Generate commercial activity
  • Deliver economic benefits

Women’s entrepreneurship – with its unlimited potential – is a vital contributor to economic expansion within this important sector. Successful women-led SMEs provide more than just a financial stimulus within these growing economies – they promote social progress and change.

Countries

Trestle Group Foundation has supported women-led companies – across industries/business sectors – in Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Jordan, Kenya, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa and Uganda.

Supporters

Trestle Group Foundation has been fortunate to earn the support of leading organizations including: PepsiCo Europe, IBM, Microsoft, UBS, Delta Economics, Hexaware Technologies, Advocates for International Development (A4ID), Voices for Innovation, World Conservation Union (IUCN), amongst others.

International Exposure

Through integrated marketing communication programs (positioning and participation at key global events, high-impact short films and media outreach), Trestle Group Foundation raises significant awareness about the important role women entrepreneurs, and successful women-led SMEs, play in emerging economies.

Donate

Established in 2005, Trestle Group Foundation is a registered tax-exempt (No. CH-440.018.28-4), nonprofit, private Swiss foundation without any political or religious affiliations.