What is a Social Enterprise?
Ayllu defines social enterprises as organizations which use market based methods to solve social and/or environmental problems, with the goal of creating sustainable businesses. We focus only on social enterprises that target BOP markets in developing countries.

What is BOP?
BOP means bottom (or base) of the pyramid. As Wikipedia defines it, it is the 2.5 billion people who live on less than $2.50 per day.

What is Microfranchising?
Ayllu defines microfranchising as the packaging and mass-replication of simple, small-scale businesses that alleviate poverty in 2 ways: 1) competitive job creation in poor communities, 2) delivering product or services which satisfy an unmet social need such as healthcare, education, or energy.

Where can I read more?
Please visit our Resource Library for introductory materials on social enterprise, microfinance, microfranchising, and low-income economies.

What does Ayllu mean?
Ayllu is an Andean indigenous word meaning ‘community’ and it is pronounced ‘i-you’. Ayllus were dispersed throughout the mountain so community members could grow crops and raise livestock that only survive at certain altitudes. The people came together periodically to trade goods so they could prosper in the harsh climate. We named ourselves after the ingenuity, sustainability, and connectivity  that characterizes the Ayllu community system. We feel that the exchange of resources and knowledge between social enterprises is key to scaling their impact.