Phoenix Fund Semi-Annual Report, January–June 2009

The Phoenix Fund is a social entrepreneurship fund focused on creating economic opportunity in the world's poorest countries. Through seed capital grants and loans, the Phoenix Fund makes strategic investments to implement economic development projects led by local entrepreneurs. These types of unproven and innovative programs often encounter difficulty attracting funds from large foundations and government agencies. Phoenix Fund is a market-driven, business-minded approach to creating sustainable small businesses and open marketplaces that are at the core of any successful community. Phoenix Fund is designed to deliver the proof positive that is required for second stage funding, essential for scalability.

The Phoenix Fund currently supports seven projects in countries in Africa, Asia and The Balkans. Included are summaries of the projects, including a brief introduction to a project launched in Pakistan in the Spring.