With strategic backing from UK’s Richardson Family and Temasek Trust’s C3H, Co-Axis aims to accelerate SDG-aligned innovation across Asia’s climate and health ecosystems.
SINGAPORE — As the global clock ticks toward the 2030 deadline for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), catalytic capital is emerging as a critical force in bridging the widening financing gap. Last week, Singapore-based Co-Axis received a major vote of confidence in its mission to transform the way capital flows to climate and health innovations across Asia.
Co-Axis announced that it had secured S$1.25 million in catalytic capital from two major funders: the Richardson Family (RF), a UK-based family office, and Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H), an initiative of Temasek Trust. The funding aims to amplify solutions at the intersection of climate and public health, two of the most urgent global challenges today.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Bridging the Climate-Health Divide with Catalytic Capital
C3H has committed S$1 million to co-fund curated opportunities on the Co-Axis platform, while the Richardson Family will contribute S$250,000 over two years, leveraging C3H’s due diligence and impact reporting frameworks.
“Catalytic capital plays a vital role in de-risking early-stage opportunities and unlocking additional funding,” said Ryan Tan, Head of C3H. “By harnessing Co-Axis and a collaborative ecosystem, we can accelerate capital deployment and scale impact where it matters most.”
The funding will support bold, scalable ventures that might otherwise struggle to attract traditional financing due to perceived risks or longer return horizons. “We see great value in co-investing in curated opportunities where the intent is clear, the due diligence is robust, and the additionality we bring is meaningful,” said a spokesperson for the Richardson Family.
A Financing Model Designed for Systemic Change
Catalytic capital is increasingly recognized for its ability to unlock private investment by absorbing risk and accepting below-market returns. Globally, the SDG financing gap stands at a staggering US$4.2 trillion per year, a shortfall felt most acutely in developing regions. In Asia, public international development funding has largely plateaued, intensifying the urgency for new financing mechanisms.
Against this backdrop, initiatives such as the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility, Climate Innovation and Development Fund, and Southeast Asia Clean Energy Facility II (SEACEF II) highlight a growing regional appetite for innovative, mission-aligned investments.
Co-Axis contributes to this shift by offering funders access to pre-vetted, SDG-aligned ventures through a digital impact marketplace that emphasizes transparency, measurable outcomes, and systems-level change.
Since its launch at the Philanthropy Asia Summit (PAS) in April 2024, Co-Axis has built a growing portfolio of over 100 impact opportunities from more than 40 countries. The platform works in close partnership with Temasek Trust Foundation Advisors (TTFA), the Centre for Impact Investing & Practices (CIIP), and Tri-Sector Associates (TSA)to offer:
- A curated pipeline of impact projects with robust governance
- Advisory services to guide philanthropy and capital deployment
- Capacity-building support for impact innovators
The Road Ahead
“By connecting values-driven capital with curated impact opportunities, Co-Axis is creating new pathways across the capital spectrum to accelerate and scale collective impact,” said Joycelyn Ong, Head of Co-Axis. “Momentum is building – we invite impact innovators to join us, and like-minded funders to explore and support the many high-impact solutions available on Co-Axis.”
SAs the demand for climate-smart health systems, clean energy infrastructure, and resilient communities grows, platforms like Co-Axis are poised to play a critical role in matching capital with catalytic opportunity. The backing from RF and C3H signals increasing confidence in this model — and the potential for Singapore to become a regional hub for catalytic capital deployment.
For more information, visit: www.coaxis.network
Lead image courtesy of Nahmad Hassan via Pexels (mother loves her child)
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