Navigating the Untapped Potential: Announcing the MIT Kuo Sharper Center's Webinar Series on Scaling in Growth Markets

By Andrea Kates, Entrepreneur in Residence, MIT

Originally posted in MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship Blog

As Entrepreneur-in-Residence at MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship (formerly the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT),  my focus is squarely on the evolving playbook for success in today's high-growth economies. These dynamic regions, characterized by rapid population expansion and a surge in opportunity, demand a fundamental rethinking of traditional strategies. Thriving in growth economies necessitates forging alliances, applying technology with an innovative and localized lens, proactively building essential infrastructure where it's lacking, and even leading the charge in shaping regulatory landscapes.

To accelerate insights for corporations, scaleups, and entrepreneurs trying to navigate growth markets, I will be spearheading a new webinar series, "Strategies for Scaling in Growth Markets," sponsored by the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship. 

What truly differentiates these growth markets? It’s a potent mix of untapped potential as well as unique infrastructural hurdles offering businesses a chance to contribute to shared prosperity, where economic success is achieved through collaboration between multiple parties—corporations, scaleups, and communities—and benefits are shared by all. 

Forget the linear scaling models of established markets; here, agility, adaptability, and a deep understanding of local nuances are paramount.

Learn what it takes to thrive in the fastest-growing global regions: shared commercial success

The webinar series builds on my book, From Stuck to Scale—a new playbook for economic growth—with case studies, tools and practical guidance to deepen partnerships and advance technologies that accelerate shared commercial success.

Every episode will feature a guest who will relate real-world experiences: how they navigated challenges and developed a playbook. We’ll confront the distinct challenges posed by currency volatility, nascent infrastructure, and the crucial need for collaborative ecosystems over isolated ambitions. We'll also look to the future, exploring the unique opportunities presented by emerging consumer bases and the transformative power of technologies like AI when applied thoughtfully. 

The MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship provides the resources, networks and knowledge to advance research, dialogue and action to advance innovation capacity for entrepreneurs and corporate partners.Tapping into the MIT community, this webinar series is designed to provide practical guidance for executives navigating these complex environments, offering actionable insights to not just enter, but truly thrive and build sustainable impact.

The global landscape is shifting, and with it, the epicenters of growth and opportunity. Building on the programming at the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship’s global conference, "Innovation in Global Growth Markets”, this dynamic new webinar series: Strategies for Scaling in Growth Markets, will help you refine your strategic playbook.

Beyond Guidance: Practical Tools for Action

We recognize that knowledge without application is limited. Each webinar will feature a dedicated segment on Practical Guidance, offering tangible tools, techniques, and takeaways that you can implement immediately within your organization. To encourage community building and dialogue, each session will include dedicated time for Audience Interaction and Q&A, providing a valuable opportunity to engage with our expert speakers and address your specific challenges.

Webinar Focus: Unpacking the Imperatives: Concrete Issues,  Innovative Solutions

Growth markets, with their burgeoning populations and untapped potential, present a compelling frontier. However, the path to success is rarely linear. Our webinar series will tackle the nuanced realities of these markets, moving beyond superficial analyses to offer actionable strategies around key themes:

• Corporate Partnerships, Unicorns & Camels: A close look at corporate partnership options. Examining different growth trajectories and funding strategies, looking at high-growth aspirations of corporate partners and emerging unicorns to the resilient and sustainable approach of "camels”—entrepreneurial ventures that provide consistent growth.

• Accelerating Growth: Deep dive into what’s required to transcend barriers, move beyond pilots, apply technologies and build on relationships to scale successful businesses.

• Trust: Underscoring the fundamental importance of building trust with local communities, partners, and stakeholders as the bedrock of long-term success.

• Market Volatility (Currency, Market Forces): Understanding and mitigating the risks associated with fluctuating exchange rates and other market forces in diverse economic environments.

• Infrastructure: Navigating the complexities of developing infrastructure and exploring innovative solutions, even when it means building the roads for your own logistics.

• AI and Advanced Technologies: Exploring the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence and other technologies in growth markets, from optimizing operations to creating new value propositions.

• Mapping a Path. Filling in Gaps: Developing strategic roadmaps that acknowledge existing gaps and outline concrete steps for achieving sustainable growth.