New York and Singapore, 16 October 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP), today announced the launch of SDG Venture Scaler, a new programme to mobilize private investment for sustainable development in Southeast Asia. SDG Venture Scaler will focus on supporting growth-stage enterprises in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, with particular emphasis on climate action, education, and health care, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

SDG Venture Scaler, which will run through 2025, will select 30 ventures, providing them with tailored business advisory services, investment matchmaking opportunities, and robust Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) training to enhance their capacity to measure and articulate their social and environmental impact.

The SDG Venture Scaler will leverage the SDG Investor Platform, a tool developed by UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub’s Private Finance for the SDGs to provide market intelligence on SDG-aligned investment opportunities. The platform’s SDG Investor Maps, which highlight priority investment areas in emerging markets, will be used to identify high-potential businesses. By connecting investors with actionable data and impactful ventures, the programme aims to foster capital flows into sectors critical to sustainable development, particularly in alignment with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

The programme aligns with CIIP and the broader Temasek Trust ecosystem’s efforts to support impact ventures in delivering positive impact and attract funding to scale. Co-Axis, a digital catalytic capital marketplace connecting global impact projects with funders, along with initiatives like The Liveability Challenge by Temasek Foundation and the Amplifier mentoring programme by CIIP and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance, have been key in fostering impactful enterprises. 

Creatella Impact, a venture-building and impact investment intermediary, will also play a key role in SDG Venture Scaler, providing business mentorship and facilitating investment matchmaking to support growth-stage enterprises.

To further facilitate investment, SDG Venture Scaler will host a series of discussion forums, starting in Jakarta on 5 November and Makati City on 11 November. These forums will bring together investors, private sector leaders, and policymakers to explore investment opportunities for climate action, education, and health care. The forums are designed to address barriers to investment and unlock capital for SDG-aligned ventures.

SDG Venture Scaler builds on a successful track record of collaboration between UNDP and CIIP, including the development of SDG Investor Maps across ASEAN markets since 2020. These maps have identified 100 priority Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs), 54 of which are aligned with climate goals. SDG Venture Scaler will support ventures in sectors ranging from renewable energy to health care, green transport, climate-smart agriculture, and waste management, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to national development goals, including NDCs, and the SDGs.

Dr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Philippines Resident Representative, remarked: “SDG Venture Scaler presents an invaluable opportunity for local enterprises in the Philippines to scale their impact and contribute meaningfully to the SDGs. By connecting high-potential businesses with investors and providing tailored support, this programme will strengthen our efforts to accelerate progress in key sectors such as climate action, education, and health care. The private sector's engagement is vital to realizing the SDGs, and we are proud to support ventures that foster sustainable development in the country.”

Sebnem Sener, Head of Private Finance for the SDGs at UNDP, underscored the new programme’s potential to accelerate sustainable growth: “SDG Venture Scaler can be a critical vehicle for driving private capital into key sectors such as climate action, health care, and education. By linking investors with SDG-aligned enterprises, we’re enabling scalable impact that benefits businesses while addressing urgent development challenges.”

Dawn Chan, CEO of CIIP highlighted the programme's potential: “The market for impact is large and growing. While impact-oriented financing is needed, it is just as important to bring in other change agents, such as impact-oriented companies and entrepreneurs who are creating positive change in their communities. UNDP, through its country offices, has been working to align private investment in Southeast Asia with sustainable development priorities. Through the SDG Venture Scaler, CIIP aims to equip enterprises with robust IMM practices, empowering them to demonstrate their measurable contributions to the SDGs. This transparency and accountability will make them more attractive to investors, corporate partners, and customers with an interest in solutions that benefit people and planet.”

Antonio Vigilante, Chairperson of the Board of Creatella Impact, emphasized the programme’s focus on preparing businesses for growth: “We aim to enhance the investment readiness of these high-impact ventures through tailored support, helping them secure the capital they need to scale and drive sustainable development across Southeast Asia.”

Applications for SDG Venture Scaler will be open until 1 December. Enterprises in the climate action, education, and healthcare sectors in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are encouraged to apply. Key networks and third-party intermediaries with strong connections to business communities in these markets are also encouraged to help spread the word. For more information and to apply, visit SDG Venture Scaler or reach out via email.

SDG Venture Scaler is part of the Sustainable Finance Hub’s global Pipeline Builder initiative, aiming to direct private capital toward businesses that align with the SDGs.

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About UNDP: UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP. 

About Private Finance for the SDGs: UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub’s Private Finance for the SDGs leverages and aligns private sector investments, while strengthening policies and institutions to build an enabling environment for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This service addresses the critical need for sustainable finance, aiming to transform the global financial architecture and bridge the SDG financing gap, with strategic partnerships playing a crucial role. By developing investment-ready opportunities, ensuring investments deliver financial returns and positive outcomes, and strengthening policy frameworks, Private Finance for the SDGs supports impactful investments that prioritize people and the planet. Through these efforts, UNDP fosters investments that yield comprehensive benefits for society, the economy, and the environment. Learn more at https://sdgprivatefinance.undp.org/. 

About the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP): The Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (“CIIP”) was established in 2022 as a non-profit entity by Temasek Trust to foster impact investing and practices in Asia and beyond by building and sharing knowledge, bringing together stakeholders in the community, and bringing about positive action that accelerates the adoption of impact investing. CIIP is the anchor partner for SDG Impact, providing Asia investors and businesses with clarity, insights and tools that support their contributions towards achieving the SDGs. Temasek and ABC Impact are CIIP’s strategic partners. For more information, please visit www.ciip.com.sg