About LINC Strategies

LINC Strategies: Designing Business Solutions to Poverty

LINC Strategies is a collective of poverty alleviation specialists dedicated to crafting innovative and sustainable business solutions. United by a fervent commitment to combatting poverty, we leverage our expertise to empower organizations to create positive social impact while building profitable and scalable enterprises. Our passion drives us to make a meaningful difference in the world. Through close collaboration with our clients, we meticulously understand their needs, tailor customized strategies, and execute impactful initiatives. At LINC, we believe in creating a brighter future by empowering communities and fostering economic resilience.

Spotlight on our Poverty Alleviation Solutions

One of our primary focus areas is Poverty Alleviation Solutions, where we specialize in developing strategies to address the multifaceted challenges of poverty. We understand the importance of creating sustainable and scalable solutions that uplift individuals and communities. Our team of experts analyzes socio-economic factors, identifies systemic barriers, and designs comprehensive solutions that promote inclusivity and resilience. Through innovative approaches and strategic partnerships, we aim to create lasting change and improve livelihoods for vulnerable populations.

Our Values

At LINC, our core values guide everything we do. We are driven by a relentless commitment to social impact and ethical business practices. Integrity, transparency, and accountability are at the heart of our operations. We believe in the power of collaboration and collective action to drive meaningful change. By upholding these values, we strive to be a trusted partner and catalyst for positive transformation in the fight against poverty.

Empowering Communities, Transforming Lives

LINC Strategies is dedicated to empowering communities and transforming lives. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive and prosper. Through our work, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and create a more just and equitable society. Together, with our clients and partners, we are building a future where poverty is no longer a barrier to opportunity and prosperity.

Join Us in the Fight Against Poverty

At LINC, we invite you to join us in the fight against poverty. Whether you are an organization looking to make a difference or an individual passionate about social impact, there is a role for you to play. Together, we can create a world where everyone has the chance to live a life of dignity and fulfillment. Join us in our mission to design business solutions to poverty and build a brighter future for all.

Inclusive Business Knowledge Leadership

Business for Development (B4D)

Mark Ingram was founding CEO of South East Asia's first inclusive business advisory firm, launched by business for business, working at the intersection of business, government, community and civil society to drive the formation and uptake of inclusive business models with some of the world’s leading companies, NGO’s, multilateral institutions, and donor programs. From 2007-2023, B4D worked with over 100 clients. Late 2023 B4D was acquired by the world’s largest development consulting firm, Palladium.

United Nations Development Programme

• Secured multiyear technical advisory contract with the United Nations Development Program

• Lead regional representative for the United Nations Development Programme’s Business Call to Action (BCtA). Identified, interviewed and advised the BCtA on over 40 companies utilising profitable business models that delivered social outcomes. Engaged senior executives from these companies across Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Papua New Guinea and Kenya.

• Secured new member companies for the BCtA covering agribusiness, education, telecommunications, and health sectors including multinational companies such as Digicel and Essilor.

Asian Development Bank

• Secured multiple technical advisory contracts with the Asian Development Bank.

• Lead technical advisor for the Asian Development Bank’s investment strategy in China identifying shared value investment opportunities and featuring a series of policy recommendations for the ADB and the Chinese Government. Engaged and interviewed over 30 companies, peak bodies and government associations.

• Contributing consultant on the development of a strategic plan for the Southeast Asia and Pacific Inclusive Business Alliance focused on the agribusiness sector for the Asian Development Bank. Engaged and interviewed over 40 stakeholders from business, government, and NGO’s sectors from around the globe.

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

• Lead consultant to Papua New Guinea’s APEC Business Advisory Council including developing policy themes for the 2017 Report to APEC Heads of State.

• Advisor to the APEC Mining Task Force on 2018 policy themes for the APEC Mining Ministers Meeting.

• Advisor to the Papua New Guinean National Organising Committee for APEC 2018.

• Addressed the APEC Business Advisory Council international meetings made up of some of the most pre-eminent business leaders in the region.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade/Australian Government

• Speaker at Parliamentary Hearings of the Joint Standing Committee On Foreign Affairs, Defence And Trade as well as the authoring of a range of submissions to the committee.

• Advised DFAT on its formal position and response to the G20 Inclusive Business Framework.

• Capacity building for DFAT staff on shared value and private sector partnerships.

• Consulted to DFAT on its private sector engagement strategy.

• Contributing consultant to the “Business in Development Study” co‐authored with Accenture on behalf of the Australian government. Undertook in person interviews with the CEO’s and senior executives of ASX200 listed companies and contributed to the research phase.

• Design and implementation of Frontier Brokers gender lens $100M blended finance instrument for South East Asia.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand.

• Design and Feasability of $50M Invest Pacific blended finance fund to support inclusive business enterprises across the Pacific region.

About our Founder

Mark Ingram has over 25 years’ experience in the development of high impact inclusive business ventures. His experience spans:

• 10 years as Founding CEO of the award-winning* non-profit Business for Development, where he built inclusive agribusiness projects across Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

• 5 years as Chief Impact Officer of Brightlight Group, where he led the impact strategy for social impact investment funds across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. These funds support first nations, iwi, homeless, and disabled persons.

• 5 years as Trade Commissioner & Consul General for the New Zealand Government, establishing the Melbourne Consulate, catalyzing trans-Tasman agrotechnology and biotechnology alliances and trade.

• 5 years as Trading Manager for the large Japanese Conglomerate Kanematsu Corporation where he built agricultural trade linkages between New Zealand, Japan, and the ASEAN “tiger” emerging market economies in the nineties.

With this knowledge and experience, he has consulted to over 100 clients including ASX-200 listed companies, the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Development Program, the World Economic Forum, Australian and New Zealand Governments, international non-government organizations, and large Foundations across the world.

* Winner World Economic Forum New Vision for Development Award, Winner Governor of Victoria Export Award, and Winner Shared Value Project - Kwale Cotton.