Argidius is a Swiss foundation committed to reducing poverty by strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies. Established in 1956 by the Brenninkmeijer family, Argidius works to unlock the potential of small and growing businesses as engines of job creation, income generation, and long-term economic resilience.
At the heart of its approach is the belief that sustainable impact comes from building strong enterprise support ecosystems. Rather than funding businesses directly, Argidius partners with high-performing business support organisations that provide entrepreneurs with tailored services such as mentoring, coaching, training, and access to markets. Its focus is on businesses with 5–250 employees and clear growth potential—enterprises capable of creating quality jobs at scale.
Argidius aims to catalyse inclusive economic growth, with attention to expanding opportunity for underserved entrepreneurs, including women, who often face systemic barriers to business growth. By strengthening partners, scaling effective models, and contributing to sector learning, Argidius seeks to improve the long-term effectiveness of enterprise development globally.
Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly those focused on poverty reduction and decent work—Argidius works across regions including Africa and Central America to drive lasting, inclusive impact through entrepreneurship.