Business Gym: Building Resilience and Growth for Informal Sector Entrepreneurs through Community-Based Digital Support

The Business Gym model is a community-based entrepreneurship support approach designed to strengthen micro and nano enterprises, particularly those operating within the informal sector. It supports informal sector workers in overcoming structural challenges through structured capacity building, digital enablement, and continuous hand-holding. The model focuses on enhancing business skills, financial literacy, and operational resilience using a low-cost, digital-first platform. Entrepreneurs receive diagnostic assessments, tailored mentoring, and guided access to markets, suppliers, government schemes, and financial institutions. The platform enables improved record-keeping, branding, digital payments, entitlement linkages, and professional business identity. Through collective groups and peer networks, the model promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and shared learning among informal entrepreneurs. It also supports gradual sector formalization by encouraging compliance, ethical practices, and sustainable business operations. Overall, the approach strengthens income stability, boosts confidence and competitiveness, and fosters an inclusive, resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem.