Bountifield & iDE Merge to Empower Rural Women Entrepreneurs
Minneapolis-based Bountifield International has officially merged with Denver-based International Development Enterprises (iDE) as of January 1, 2022. The integration aims to amplify their impact on rural entrepreneurs, particularly women, across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The combined organization, now led by Elizabeth Welch, iDE's CEO, will expand Bountifield's post-harvest processing solutions using iDE's extensive field operations. This expansion is expected to support more women entrepreneurs, who can add $12 trillion to the global GDP and boost economic output by up to 35%.
Both organizations are committed to empowering rural entrepreneurs rather than relying on simple charity. Former Bountifield CEO Alexandra Spieldoch, now a key figure in the merged entity, sees this integration as a way to increase scale and support more entrepreneurs. Welch and Spieldoch recently visited Kenya to see the impact of their programs firsthand.
Contributions to Bountifield in the past or planned support for iDE in the future will now have a multiplied impact due to the partnership. The merged organization is dedicated to empowering rural entrepreneurs and communities, with a focus on women, to drive economic growth and poverty reduction.
