Our belief is simple: Business can be a force for good and there is a business opportunity in the SDGs. We have seen over the last 4 years of the programme, that this statement is true, regardless of the size of the business. According to the Better Business and Better World report (2017), “the SDGs present a US$12 trillion market opportunity for the private sector in areas such as food and agriculture, cities, energy and materials and health and wellbeing“. We believe the ASEAN region has the capacity to contribute significantly to the achievement of balanced growth and in turn, provide opportunities and a platform to build the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who see the business value in creating a positive impact on the people and the planet.

The ASEAN Impact Challenge presents a unique opportunity for Southeast Asia to strengthen innovation capacity, increase multi-sector collaboration and private sector investment as engines of sustainable and equitable growth. Every year, a thematic area of focus forms the challenge call. The theme for 2015 ‘Sustainable Communities, Resilient Nations”, for 2016 “Innovations for Urban Impact”, for 2017 “Inclusive innovations for ASEAN” and for 2018 ” Tech Forward: Innovations for a Digital Economy”.

Grounded on the foundation of our track record of creating catalytic partnerships between corporates and startups through disruptive innovations, we are pleased to share the theme for 2019: “Circular Futures: Innovations for a Circular Economy”.