JANUARY, 20249Uplifting the DisadvatgedAccloud looks beyond big, urban economies towards disadvantaged, remote communities, from rural areas to refugee camps. According to Ross, there are huge numbers of people, living outside of urban areas, who are being consistently overlooked. These remote communities contain the most severely disenfranchised group of entrepreneurs, though they have the same business aspirations as any city dweller. "We can help them transform, in a very sustainable way, while improving their access to education and healthcare," says Ross. "Education remains the most valuable resource to allow self determination for millions of people, who today struggle with subsistence living. We can help deliver that human right, through our platform and wider initiatives."The company shares data on the latest market trends, that helps them to make the best, most informed business decisions. By enabling the sharing of market prices, both locally and regionally, they help primary producers get fairer deals, instead of trading in the dark as they do currently. The company also provides accounting and tax information from reputable bodies to assist with the very specific issues the small mighty entrepreneurs might face. There are benefits here for both authorities and the entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs get the information they need to make sound business decisions. At the same time, authorities can more accurately measure economic activity and grow their tax base.Ross explains that the current pandemic has changed work practices forever ­ and low-touch commerce will have a big role to play in the future. "For example, we are now working with emerging technologies that will be able to estimate the quality and shelf life of primary produce," he says. "Our inbuilt, blockchain-powered reputation and identity system will also quickly allow remote purchasers to buy with confidence, as it establishes traceability." At the same time, by creating virtual purchasing and sales cooperatives, Accloud enables producers to enter markets that have always been out of reach, which minimise the need for "buyers" to travel to diverse destinations to meet the needs of the large urban centres. Taken together, these benefits will level the playing field, allowing our small mighty entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises in the new world."Towards the FutureAccloud is working on a really exciting product that will incorporate several technologies in one app. Itis all set to completely revolutionise access to a new type of capital. It will also unquestionably address the dire lack of access to capital in the developing world. Ross and his team are working hard to bring this to market in Q1 next year and are confident that this will help create more jobs in the growth nations, where, according to the World Bank, they are most needed. With COVID-19 pandemic looming over the world, Ross believes that the economies need a rapid return to growth, and for him the key to this is to get the bounce back in the MSME sector. "We believe our offering can really help reach this powerful commercial segment ­ one that employs and sustains such vast swathes of the world," adds Ross. "They've not been properly served to date and we intend to change that. We believe they hold the keys to a more sustainable future, for our planet and people."I am grateful to be included in the top ten entrepreneurs of 2020 by Industry Era Review. But this is journey not about me, but rather the desire to take part in helping a global shift in opportunity, for those in developing nations who have been locked out of opportunities we take for granted.The challenge is enormous, but we have an outstanding team at Accloud that is both up to this challenge and dedicated and talented enough to fulfil this mission. I am also grateful for the ongoing support of friends and family, and the continuous inspiration of my partner and her ability to turn problems into opportunities.. We have a very strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) belief knitted into our DNA, so we are here to make a real, positive difference in the world
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