As the world continues to search for climate change solutions, Frontier Markets, is investing in rural women entrepreneurs to reframe how economic growth and climate resilience go hand-in-hand in creating a consumer marketplace for marginalized markets. Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Frontier Markets was founded in 2011 by Ajaita Shah to bridge the gap between rural customers and solutions. It evolved in to a high-tech digital platform connecting rural women across multiple states in India, becoming the largest social commerce platform dedicated to solving rural supply-chain issues for over 900 million people in rural India. This is in part due to the creation of a network of over 21,000 entrepreneurs, who showcase products, assist with e-commerce purchases and collect insights on customer demands and needs. With these information Frontier Markets has been able to identify characteristics about the rural customer and the growing climate challenges they face How does investment in rural women create climate solutions? In India, a country with about 1.4 billion people, climate calamities are becoming increasingly common. In 2022, India saw natural disasters almost every day from January through September. From droughts to locus attacks, to heatwaves and coldwaves, to cyclones and floods — the country has faced tremendous climate catastrophes on 242 of those 273 days. By combining technology with these local trusted women influencers, Frontier Markets has enabled a much deeper connection to the rural customer and has also developed a better understanding of the rapidly increasing climate realities those communities face. In fact, today India ranks first as the largest flood hotspot in the world and its rural areas are the most impacted. "The bottom 50 percent of India literally own nothing. They're not the carbon contributors, yet they are the most vulnerable when it comes to climate attacks," Shah said. "What happens if rural consumers start consuming the way that you and I consume? It's gonna be a disaster." Working closely with these women has given Shah a real understanding of the realities these rural communities face, and urges quick action to equip them with the resources and knowledge to make better decisions to help them combat climate change. Shah adds that the investment in rural women goes beyond giving them the tools to become entrepreneurs — it’s about creating long-term sustainability for all in the value chain. And though the company earns commission from each sale, and marketing fees from suppliers, Frontier Markets ensures profit sharing as well, with 70 %t of revenue going to its saleswomen and the remaining 30 % used to expand into new locations. Learn more https://www.frontiermkts.com/about-us https://www.greenbiz.com/article/climate-power-rural-women