Entrepreneurs from the Republic of Korea and across the Asia-Pacific gathered at the SDG Sprint 2025 Demo Day to present impact-driven innovations in digitalization and the green transition.
P4G has awarded US$350,000 to a partnership between Surplus Indonesia and Greeneration Foundation to scale Indonesia’s first food-rescue app, which lets the food industry sell overstocked and imperfect—but safely edible—produce at discounted rates. The effort aims to cut food loss and waste, improve food security, and reduce climate impacts by diverting edible food from landfills.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Why It Matters: A Costly Waste Problem With Human Stakes
Indonesia is the second-largest producer of food loss and waste globally, discarding 115–184 kilograms per person each year—an estimated US$39 billion in economic losses. The food wasted could meet the nutrient needs of 61–125 million people annually.
Founded in 2020 by Agung Saputra, Surplus enables restaurants and local food businesses to sell overstocked products or imperfect produce at 50% discounts directly to consumers. The company has positioned itself as a market leader through an easy-to-use app and agreements with ride-hailing companies and food providers.
Surplus reports it has rescued more than 350 tons of food, avoided more than 500 tons of carbon emissions, and reached about 400,000 direct beneficiaries—70% of whom are women. More than 3,500 businesses have prevented an estimated US$200,000 in losses.
Scale Targets: More Merchants, More Customers, More Food Rescued
By 2025, Surplus aims to reach 10,000 merchants and 1 million direct consumers. During the partnership period, the goals include raising US$350,000 in investment, rescuing more than 10,000 tons of food, reaching 100,000 customers, and saving food businesses an estimated US$50,000.
Working with Greeneration Foundation, Surplus will develop a case study of successes and challenges, with policy recommendations to reduce food loss and waste. The partnership will share findings with the Indonesian government to help improve the enabling environment for food-rescue enterprises nationwide.
Partnership leads: Surplus Indonesia (lead business partner); Greeneration Foundation (lead administrative partner).
Regional Recognition: UNDP’s SDG Sprint 2025 Demo Day
At UNDP’s SDG Sprint 2025 Demo Day in Seoul on 22 September 2025—the conclusion of an eight-week acceleration under Youth Co:Lab (co-led by UNDP and the Citi Foundation)—impact-driven start-ups from across Asia-Pacific showcased digital and green innovations. Organized by the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre with Impact Square, the program offered tailored mentorship, training, and networking, with CVC Capital Partners contributing award grants and mentorship.
Impact Awards (UNDP): Alternō (Viet Nam; sand-based thermal batteries) and Surplus Indonesia (inclusive circular economy platform rescuing surplus food, fashion, and household goods via a digital marketplace, AI inventory tools, upcycling, and EV-based distribution).
Innovation Awards (CVC): ANPOLY (Republic of Korea; plant-based nanocellulose materials) and Zolv (Seoul; chlorine dioxide-emitting pads to extend fruit shelf life and reduce post-harvest losses).
Launched in July, the cohort included 25 start-ups; the top 12 pitched solutions in digital transformation and green transition. Support included diagnostics, expert matching, ongoing mentorship, and sessions on impact business management and strategy, with hybrid workshops and networking to strengthen business models, scalability, and long-term impact.
Launched in July, the cohort included 25 start-ups; the top 12 pitched solutions in digital transformation and green transition. Support included diagnostics, expert matching, ongoing mentorship, and sessions on impact business management and strategy, with hybrid workshops and networking to strengthen business models, scalability, and long-term impact.
With grant capital, policy engagement, and regional recognition, the Surplus Indonesia–Greeneration Foundation partnership is built to rescue more edible food, lower costs for consumers, reduce losses for businesses, and cut emissions—turning a national waste challenge into measurable gains for food security, livelihoods, and the climate.
Lead image courtesy of UNDP (Participants of SDG Sprint 2025 Demo Day, held in Seoul, where youth entrepreneurs from Korea and across the Asia-Pacific showcased digital and green innovations on 22 September)
