Six social enterprises awarded funding at SIF’s global programme

Six winning teams of the Young Social Entrepreneurs Global 2022 programme will receive up to S$20,000 each to help them grow their businesses. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

Six innovative regional businesses that champion social change received funding of up to S$20,000 each to help them scale up their businesses.

The winners were selected after 15 teams – comprising 26 changemakers – gathered virtually for Pitching for Change, the finale and closing event of the Singapore International Foundation's (SIF) Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) Global 2022 programme.

The 15 teams were selected from a pool of 46 social enterprises, comprising 93 youths and 11 nationalities who had all taken part in the programme's workshop in June. These shortlisted teams included youths from China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

At the finale, they presented their business plans and ideas to a panel of judges comprised of industry experts and consultants from the impact investment and social service sectors.

The teams showed the judges how they aimed to make a sustainable impact with their businesses and addressed issues in areas such as mental healthcare, inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and education.

The six winners were chosen based on the impact and scalability of their business ideas, as well as the commitment level of team members. They include: Anahat For Change Foundation (India); Kura Kura (Singapore); Mengayu (Indonesia); Ripple Community (Malaysia); Symbionic Tech (India); and The Green (Laos and South Korea).

The six-month programme seeks to inspire, equip, and enable youth of different nationalities to launch or scale up their social enterprises in Singapore and beyond. Through customised workshops, mentorship, and regional learning opportunities, it aims to nurture a global network of young changemakers with innovative business ideas focused on social good.

Viet Nam-based social enterprise MiYork Education was one of the 15 shortlisted teams that participated in the pitching. The social enterprise provides research mentorship, competition-based learning, social project mentorship, as well as consultancy services for college admission to both Vietnamese and overseas universities.

Since 2010, YSE Global has nurtured a global alumni network of more than 1,400 changemakers representing 43 nationalities and 674 social enterprises.

Applications for YSE Global 2023 will start in February 2023. — VNS