Results

Since Agora’s inception in 2005:

• • Over 4,000 entrepreneurs have benefitted from more than 70 Agora educational events throughout Nicaragua.




• • We've provided business advice to more than 400 small and growing businesses in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras.




• • Over 620 full-time, documented jobs have been created or sustained as a result of in-depth business advice given to 100 small businesses. These firms entered the program with an average of 11 employees; two years later they had an average of 18 employees - job growth of more than 60%. Moreover, total wages and benefits jumped by almost 90%.




• • More than 80% of businesses receiving in-depth business advice from Agora increased their sales from 2007 to 2009 by an average of more than 60% or approximately $75,000.




• • This growth was achieved despite the local and global economic downturn. While Nicaragua closed 2009 with a 1.5% drop in GDP, Agora beneficiaries reported approximately a 10% increase in sales from 2008-2009.




• • Women make up more than 40% of the entrepreneurs who attend events and receive in-depth consulting.




• • Agora Partnerships leveraged its community to enable 25 small businesses to obtain financing of over $2.5 million. This includes over $1 million from foreign investors.

See the results from Agora’s “Launching New Ventures in Nicaragua” program.

To get the full picture of who we help read our case studies.