Harnessing The Potential: Impact Funding Opportunities in June /July 2023

To all startups and impact companies striving to solve social and environmental issues in line with the SDGs: these funding opportunities are for you!
Are you a change-making entrepreneur? Do you manage a startup that prioritizes positive societal impact as much as profit? If so, you’re part of a growing wave of pioneers who recognize the transformative role of business – as a powerful agent of good. The summer of 2023 presents an exciting array of impact funding opportunities, tailored to propel ventures like yours to unprecedented success.

RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS 

DBS FOUNDATION BUSINESS FOR IMPACT GRANT AWARD 

From now until June 23, social enterprises and SMEs that are developing innovative solutions to address social and environmental issues have the opportunity to submit their proposals for the coveted DBS Foundation Business for Impact Grant Award. Now in its ninth year, this prestigious award aims to recognize and catalyze the growth of businesses that have successfully integrated social or environmental impact into their business models, alongside financial profit.
 
The benefits of applying for the DBS Foundation grant are manifold for impact-driven businesses. Firstly, the grant provides much-needed financial support to help these businesses scale their impact, with each awardee receiving funding of up to S$250,000. This funding can be utilized for various purposes such as product development, market expansion, and talent acquisition.

Entice -The Energy Innovation Fund

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is launching a $10 million USD Energy Innovation Fund to accelerate the energy transition in India. The fund will focus on investing equity in late or matured-stage promising clean energy enterprises that have the potential to scale and make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions. The fund will use a modified risk-reward paradigm to increase the number of successes in the portfolio while maintaining a market return. The fund will also provide significant portfolio support aimed at commercialization readiness and connecting startups with meaningful opportunities. 
Acknowledging the challenges in the market, the fund will focus on three strategic pillars
  • Capital Mobilization: Mobilise capital to finance innovative solutions that will accelerate the energy transition. The fund will support entrepreneurs and innovators who have developed unique energy solutions with Series A funding.
  • Market Linkages: Create a mechanism to link innovators to the market, ensuring that the solutions are commercially viable and scalable. The fund will create a network of aggregators, distributors, and other stakeholders to help innovators navigate the complex Indian energy market.
  • Ecosystem Support: To Develop an ecosystem of support for entrepreneurs, including mentoring, skill-building, and institutionalisation of innovation. The fund will work closely with stakeholders to provide entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed for market deployment and commercialization of their products at scale.

OPPO INNOVATION ACCELERATOR INSPIRATION CHALLENGE

Through The Challenge, OPPO Research Institute, together with global partners Qualcomm Technologies, GSMA 5G IN, Amazon Web Services and LinkedIn, aim to bring new and innovative solutions to life by providing funding, support and partnership opportunities. Based on the brand proposition of “Inspiration Ahead”, OPPO and its global technology ecosystem partners aim to bring new and innovative solutions to life by providing funding, support and partnership opportunities. By working together, OPPO hopes these innovations can create a positive impact, and encourage greater awareness of the issues that affect global communities.
Further partnership opportunities are open to the top 45 proposals worldwide – made up of the top 15 proposals in each regional challenge – including, but not limited to:
  • Productization and commercialization opportunities: an incubation fund totaling US$190,000 (approximately RMB 1.25 million, tax included), will be set up to co-develop solutions for implementation.
  • Strategic partnership and investment opportunities.
  • Opportunities to showcase at global technology events.
  • Opportunity to receive cloud resources and technical support from Amazon Web Services.
Global applications for the 2023 OPPO Inspiration Challenge will be open from May 8 to June 30. To learn more about the program or register, please visit the official webpage at: https://www.oppo.com/en/proposal/ .

The Global Good Fund Fellowship

The Global Good Fund creates a better world by investing in the leadership of entrepreneurs working relentlessly to solve our world’s most pressing social issues. The fellowship is looking for innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders of for-profit and non-profit social impact organizations. This program is for emerging leaders and  entrepreneurs with diverse ethnic, religious, economic, geographic and gender experiences. Ideal entrepreneurs are dedicated to their own self-discovery and development and must hold a full-time leadership position at their social enterprise which has been operational for ideally two to five years.
Eligibility
  • The enterprise the candidate leads has been in operation for a minimum of two years
  • The enterprise employs a minimum of two full-time, paid employees
  • The candidate’s role if that of a primary decision-maker, i.e. the role you hold is:
  • C-Suite (CEO, COO,CTO,CFO etc.)
  • Co-Founder/ Founder & C-Suite
  • Executive Director
  • Candidate is committed full-time to running the enterprise
  • The enterprise the candidate is leading is mission driven, meaning that the sole objective is not to make a profit, but also to have a positive impact on society

ASEAN Energy Youth Awards 2023

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is thrilled to announce the 4th ASEAN Energy Youth Awards (AEYA) is back! Under the theme “Advancing Energy Transition and Energy Security for Sustainable Development,” the #4thAEYA recognises the invaluable contributions of young students in nation-building, sustainable development, and energy transition.
The theme of the 4th award is Advancing Energy Transition and Energy Security for Sustainable Development. This award is jointly organised by ACE and supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) of Korea and Korea Energy Agency (KEA).
ASEAN Energy Youth Award 2023
The award is supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) of Korea and the Korea Energy Agency (KEA). Don’t miss out on the opportunity to showcase your remarkable ideas and contributions. Entry is via infographic poster, 1000 word essay or video submission. “Join us in driving positive change and fostering a more sustainable future!

SLINGSHOT 2023 – DEEP TECH STARTUP PITCHING COMPETITION 

Are you a visionary entrepreneur with a groundbreaking startup? Look no further! SLINGSHOT 2023, Singapore’s renowned startup competition, is calling for new and exciting ventures that possess innovative solutions ready to make waves in the global market. This is your chance to anchor yourself in Singapore, one of the world’s top innovation nodes, and showcase your game-changing ideas to a prestigious audience of investors and industry leaders. With over S$1.2 million in attractive prizes up for grabs, SLINGSHOT 2023 promises to be the event that propels your startup to unprecedented success.
image : Switch
PRIZES
  • Grand Winner will be rewarded with a S$200,000 Startup SG Grant (VAT included); such grant to be accepted by the winner subject to the applicable terms of the grant;
  • 1st Runner-Up will be rewarded with a S$150,000 Startup SG Grant (VAT included); such grant to be accepted by the winner subject to the applicable terms of the grant;
  • 2nd Runner-Up will be rewarded with a S$100,000 Startup SG Grant (VAT included); such grant to be accepted by the winner subject to the applicable terms of the grant;
  • 10 Domain Winners will be rewarded with S$50,000 Startup SG Grant (VAT included) each; such grant to be accepted by the winners subject to the applicable terms of the grant
  • SLINGSHOT 2023 participants may also be eligible to receive in-kind sponsored or cash prizes from their partners; subject to terms outlined by the Organiser and said partners.
SLINGSHOT 2023’s Top 50 Global Startups will win a sponsored trip to Singapore to be immersed in Asia’s leading startup community. Make the pitch of a lifetime at the SLINGSHOT 2023 Finals, which will be held at Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) 2023.
For more information, visit Deep Tech Startup Pitching Competition.
Call for entries: now till 17 July 2023

Rethink Foundation Launch Fund 2023

The ReThink Foundation is launching applications for its inaugural programme which aims to foster collaboration between Hong Kong charities for greater social impact. Each project application should be developed by two or more charities working together — leveraging each other’s strengths, expertise and resources.
 
Each project should run for an 8-month cycle and be based on funding of HKD 100,000 upwards. The Rethink Foundation  will also provide a capacity building and engagement programme for the organisations involved.

Falling Walls Lab Thailand 2023

Falling Walls Lab, an international pitch competition, is coming to Thailand again soon. Applications are possible until 10 July 2023.
 
WHAT IS FALLING WALLS LAB THAILAND ABOUT?
Presenting a fascinating idea, a ground-breaking research project, or a sophisticated business model in three minutes: This is the Falling Walls Lab Thailand. At Falling Walls Lab Thailand, students and early-career professionals of all disciplines pitch their ideas in English in front of an expert-jury and the interested public – in just three minutes.
 
WHEN AND WHERE WILL FALLING WALLS LAB THAILAND TAKE PLACE?
Falling Walls Lab Thailand will be held on 26 August 2023 in Krungthai Innovation Lab (tbc), Bangkok. A week before Falling Walls Lab Thailand on 19 August 2023, KMITL KRIS will provide a training to all successful applicants on how to deliver an effective pitch.
 
WHO CAN APPLY?
Falling Walls Lab welcomes ideas from any discipline that can have a positive impact on society and/or science. Applicants must be 18 years or older when submitting their application.
 
They must fulfil at least ONE of the following requirements:
  • Currently enrolled in university / currently a postdoc
  • Awarded a Bachelor’s degree no more than 10 years ago
  • Awarded a Master’s degree no more than 7 years ago
  • Awarded a PhD no more than 5 years ago
Applicants with prior Falling Walls Lab pitching experience is no longer eligible to apply.
 
Applications can be submitted until 10 July 2023 via the Falling Walls Lab website: https://falling-walls.com/lab/apply/thailand/
 
THE PRIZE
The winner of Falling Walls Lab Thailand will travel to Berlin to attend the prestigious Falling Walls Science Summit and present his/her idea on the big stage of the global Falling Walls Lab Finale on 7 November 2023 – all travel/accommodation expenses covered.
 
Additionally, the winner of Falling Walls Lab Thailand will be awarded the EURAXESS ASEAN prize, which supports the visit of a research institute of the winner’s choice in Europe when participating in the finale in Berlin! Entrepreneurial-minded scientists can also qualify for the Innovation Week, a one-week training event for international start-up founders.