The internet revolutionized how we connect and conduct business, but this was not evenly distributed across earth and local markets around the world. Everyone is not connected — everyone is still learning how to connect to the world. The internet is still transforming local businesses (outside the main global cities) into global players by providing platforms to reach customers worldwide. Thanks to advancements like Starlink, which just released their new laptop-sized satellite with an integrated Wi-Fi router - Starlink Mini & Astranis Omega, remote connectivity is fueling a new kind of localism — the hyperlocal-global businesses serving niche markets with global reach. This new connectivity is repricing the value and opportunity of these ‘Hyperlocal’ businesses and the artisans and entrepreneurs running them. The barrier to entry to revenue is now a phone bill and internet connection, and the number of people coming online is growing everyday. These are the new pockets of value in the 21st-century.
Imagine a small bakery in a remote village, famed for its unique bread recipe, but previously unknown beyond its borders. This bakery is no longer local, it's now ‘Hyperlocal’ — due to it's ability to reach global customers. ‘Hyperlocal’ refers to small, community-driven businesses that leverage the internet to reach a targeted global audience. Starlink & Astranis Omega provide the internet access they need to establish an online presence, allowing them to connect with a global audience of bread enthusiasts and grow their business beyond their local borders. This bakery isn't just ‘local’ anymore; it's ‘hyperlocal-global.’
This hyperlocal-global trend extends far beyond artisanal bread. Small businesses with deep roots in their communities can now leverage the internet to reach a targeted global audience, creating a powerful new asset class for investors. Think of it as the "local advantage" on steroids – businesses with a deep understanding of their niche market, combined with the ability to serve customers worldwide.
The Rise of the Micro-Multinational
This ‘hyperlocal-global’ cycle is creating a wave of micro-multinationals. These are small, community-driven businesses that achieve global success by understanding and catering to a specific cultural need. These business might be small but their appeal is wide. Remote work, Expat, & Niche Tourism is driving this new awareness — attracting dollars to niche, once unknown, nodes online — attracting real people seeking unique value and unique experiences. This is a new version of luxury — something personal. This business and entrepreneurs worldwide have an opportunity to turn their small bread shop into a global phenomenon. People have always traveled to Paris and NY, but now people are traveling to Blue Zones in Central America and remote places in Bali. Brands are naturally emerging in these places, and the cashflows are there to match. The potential percentage of returns for investors can be significant, exceeding traditional benchmarks like the S&P 500 or even Domino's Pizza, a company known for its global growth.
Global E-commerce Sales: E-commerce sales are projected to surpass $8 trillion globally by 2026, according to eMarketer: [https://www.emarketer.com/content/global-ecommerce-forecast-2022?hl=en-US]. This highlights the growing importance of online commerce, which can be a major driver for hyperlocal businesses reaching a global audience.
Number of Global Internet Users: According to DataReportal: https://datareportal.com/, there are over 5.4 billion internet users globally as of October 2023. This immense user base creates a vast potential audience for hyperlocal businesses to connect with.
Investing in Ideas, Not Just Infrastructure
But how do you identify these local businesses that have hyperlocal-global potential? How do we find these hidden gems?
Starlink and Astranis Omega and similar advancements are essential infrastructure, but they're just the first step. The true challenge lies in identifying those hidden gems – the hyperlocal businesses with the potential to become micro-multinationals.
Unearthing the Diamonds in the Rough: The Role of Community, Ideas, and Cultural Data:
Partnering for Success
This is where our unique approach at MyÜberLife Consulting Group comes to the forefront. We work with both sides of the risk equation, empowering hyperlocal businesses and guiding investors.
We Empower Hyperlocal Businesses with Cultural Insights: MyÜberLife's focus on culturally-relevant business solutions aligns perfectly with the needs of these hyperlocal businesses. We don't just build businesses; we build economic engines around these ideas.
We go beyond traditional business strategies by leveraging our concept of "CÜLTÜRE is Data™," as highlighted on the MyÜberLife website. This approach involves analyzing cultural trends and consumer preferences within a specific market. By understanding the cultural DNA of a community and its unique products or crafts, MyÜberLife can help hyperlocal businesses develop strategies that resonate with a global audience.
A great example of this is what Dr. Carmen Hijosa did with Piñatex, an alternative leather made from pineapple leaf fibers. She recognized there was a growing cultural demand for more sustainable materials in the textile industry. Her research led her to local pineapple farms in the Philippines, where she saw the potential for pineapple scraps as an alternative to leather and yarn. She also recognized the economic benefit that was possible for the local farmers, helping them to develop an additional revenue stream from their pineapple scraps, which are typically burned or discarded.
Her company, Ananas Anam, went on to partner with several local farming cooperatives in the Philippines, including the largest Filipino pineapple-growing collective, comprised of 700 families who now benefit from the additional income. This partnership has not only enhanced the local farmers' livelihoods but also contributed to environmental conservation. Today, Ananas Anam supplies Piñatex to globally recognized brands such as Nike and Hugo Boss, demonstrating the profound economic, social, and environmental impact of a hyperlocal-global opportunity.
Imagine a community in a remote region with a unique cultural heritage and a time-honored craft, perhaps a handwoven textile tradition passed down through generations. This community might not have the resources or know-how to translate their craft into a global business, but we can see that with the right partnership and an openness to a hyperlocal-global context, new opportunities are possible.
At MyÜberLife, we use our expertise in cultural awareness, business engineering, and our "CÜLTÜRE is Data™” tool to bridge this gap. We can help this community understand the global market, develop an online presence, and create a business model that leverages their cultural heritage. In essence, we can transform local gems into a global success story.
We Guide Investors with Cultural Data Advantage: MyÜberLife doesn't stop at empowering hyperlocal businesses. We understand the concerns of investors seeking to capitalize on the hyperlocal trend. While acknowledging the importance of traditional data analysis, MyÜberLife recognizes the value of "CÜLTÜRE is Data™." This approach provides investors with a unique lens to identify promising hyperlocal businesses that might be missed by relying solely on traditional metrics.
By partnering with MyÜberLife, investors can gain valuable insights and a human touch to identify promising hyperlocal businesses. Our focus on ideas, communities, and cultural data complements the data-driven approach of traditional investment strategies. "CÜLTÜRE is Data™" acts as an investor tool to find those hidden needles in the haystack of hyperlocal possibilities.
Together, this approach can unlock the true potential of the hyperlocal-global trend, fostering economic prosperity that benefits everyone – from local artisans to global investors.
Our focus on culturally-relevant business solutions aligns perfectly with the needs of these hyperlocal businesses. By partnering with us, investors can gain valuable insights and expertise to identify and support these emerging micro-multinationals.
The future of business is not just global, it's hyperlocal-global. By investing in ideas, communities, and cultural understanding through platforms like Kiva, we can unlock a new era of economic prosperity that benefits everyone, from local entrepreneurs to global markets & investors.
Are you a visionary with an idea to build a community-driven business? Are you an investor looking for the next big thing? Let's build this future together. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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