For ESOs

If you’re an ESO, before diving deep into the principles below, we recommend reading our How to use the principles page, so you have an idea of how to start implementing, once you’ve read the principles. We acknowledge that adopting these principles requires capacity, resources, and in some cases, change management.

For Funders

If you’re a funder, we recommend reading the principles, and then heading to our Get Involved: Funders page for more information about the vital role you can play in endorsing the principles and supporting ESOs across Asia with impact measurement.

Thesis Statement

There is a lack of alignment between Entrepreneurship Support Organisations and other key stakeholders, such as governments and funders, when it comes to benchmarking the quality of support services provided for entrepreneurs in Asia. Many ESOs also lack the capacity to effectively design, implement, and measure their impact framework.

Our Solution:

A set of living, open-source guiding principles for ESO impact measurement, led by a community of practice and developed with input from key stakeholders.

“Saying that you can create a new job for US$1 is really unhelpful and is doing everyone a disservice. Donor education is important. Investing in MEL is a way that you can challenge the power imbalance.”

• ESO Funder

What Are the Principles?

These principles are intended to be guiding (not instructional) and living (not static). 

Every ESO, every entrepreneur, and every ESO funder is different. Whether you are an early-stage ESO operating as a start-up and piloting your first incubator, or an established ESO with team members across the country or region and hundreds of entrepreneurs in your network, these principles are meant to provide high-level guidance on agreed best practice.

Each principle also contains a set of sub-principles within it that are designed to be suggestions and recommendations rather than specific steps or instructions. Depending on the sector and context and the stage of your ESO’s journey, you may choose to adopt some or all of these sub-principles or use them as suggestions and adapt your own methods. 

We have also collected resources from around the world to help you get started or learn more about particular aspects of the principles. You can find these at the end of each principle.