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Grant Programme

The Business for Impact Grant Award is our flagship programme to recognise, reward and support both Social Enterprises (SEs) and Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are creating positive impact.

Since 2014, DBS Foundation has provided over SGD 17 million in grant funding and supported ~140 businesses for impact to grow sustainably and create social and/or environmental impact.


2023 Grant Awardees

24 businesses for impact from across 6 markets have been awarded the DBS Foundation Grant in 2023 to create positive impact and accelerate growth. The funding will enable these businesses to collectively uplift lives and livelihoods and create impact for the community.

1 million

People from underprivileged segments will be provided with accessibility solutions and daily needs

30,000 tonnes

Of greenhouse gas emissions will be abated or saved
Equivalent to growing ~1.5 million trees a year

50,000 tonnes

Of waste will be collected, reduced or recycled
Equivalent to solid waste generated by ~35,000 average Singapore households in a year


Fostering inclusion across underprivileged and marginalised communities

Inclus
Singapore

Enabling people with disabilities (PWDs) to achieve gainful employment and independent living.

The grant will be used to develop and deploy a PWD-accessible mobile app to offer training, employment and support services.

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Deaftawk
Singapore

A digital sign language interpretation solution that combines real-time human interpretation with AI technology to enable access to essential services and information for the deaf community.

The grant will be used to further develop a new AI bot plugin to expand capabilities and support more members of the deaf community.

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Project Baala
India

A sustainable menstrual health solutions provider working with women and girls who do not have access to menstrual hygiene products and working towards ending period poverty, sustainably.

The grant is to support the commercial launch of their new sustainable products, provide menstrual awareness and reusable pads with a target of creating period positive communities.

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Green Worms
India

Uplifting communities by creating dignified jobs for women for collection of ocean-bound waste in coastal rural parts of India.

The grant goes to expanding their capacity, increase recycling of waste and benefit rural villages.

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ReCircle
India

Improving lives of waste pickers by providing access to financial inclusion and recycling waste into sellable plastic credits.

The grant will be used to upgrade their traceability platform, divert waste and improve livelihoods of waste pickers.

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Liberty Society
Indonesia

Providing job opportunities to marginalised women communities to upcycle corporate waste into B2B merchandise.

The grant will help them to set up a new upcycling facility and empowering women through training and increased income.

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V Cycle
Hong Kong

Through collection, sorting and recycling of plastic waste, they aim to reduce waste and improve lives of elderly waste-pickers.

The grant will be support in setting up a factory to recycle plastic bottles and employ elderly waste pickers.

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Shenyang Fingerdance
China

Using AI software for two-way sign language to break down communication barriers faced by the deaf community.

The grant will help them to achieve new partnerships to roll-out services and benefit more individuals with hearing impairments.

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Shanghai Yuzhiai Sports
China

Bringing hope to children with special needs by providing rehabilitation services through their participation in sports activities.

The grant will help them to train and organise sports events for special needs children.

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Shenzhen Solar Run Energy
China

Committed to providing affordable solar solutions for people in off-grid areas, aiming to solve the problem of inadequate electricity, sustainably.

The grant will enable them to pilot and distribute units of solar-powered refrigerators in rural villages or schools in China.

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Reducing waste and mitigating the impact of climate change

Alterpacks
Singapore

Aims to replace single-use plastic packaging by creating practical and compostable food-grade containers using upcycled food and agricultural waste.

The grant will expand manufacturing capacity to create sustainable food containers, reduce plastic consumption and support their outreach efforts.

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Life Lab Resources
Singapore

Using bio-tech solutions to revolutionise the treatment and valorisation of food waste.

The grant will support them to set up and operationalise a bio-refinery plant and scale food impact.

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N&E Innovations
Singapore

Transforms upcycled cashew and banana food waste to make disinfectant products.

The grant will help them to increase manufacturing capacity and reduce food waste.

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Karo Sambhav
India

Designs and implements comprehensive circular solutions with an aim to ingrain recycling as a way of life.

The grant will help them set up a new e-waste recycling facility plant.

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Zerund
India

Innovating the building industry by making high quality, environmentally friendly bricks from waste materials.

The grant will help them scale production, market expansion and reduction of waste.

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Magalarva
Indonesia

A waste collection service, using black soldier flies to transform food waste into animal feed.

The grant will be used to increase efficiency of waste collection and increase the capacity of recycling food waste.

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Plana
Indonesia

Converting plastic and rice husk waste into durable, eco-friendly architectural materials.

The grant will support them to set up a factory for scaling production and reducing waste more efficiently.

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Nafas
Indonesia

Provides highly localised air quality data to raise awareness about pollution and drive policy change.

The grant goes to expand monitoring of air quality to new cities, publish research papers and spread awareness.

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Distinctive Action (Invisible Co.)
Hong Kong

Makes packaging and plastic disappear through their compostable, water-soluble and plastic-free alternatives.

The grant will help to scale production, upgrade existing product and R&D into a new product.

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Kibo
Hong Kong

Disrupting the footwear industry through upcycling waste and recycling materials like scrap leather, plastic bottles and apple waste to make sustainable shoes.

The grant will be used to expand and improve Kibo shoes in safety, workwear and school wear.

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Highpeak
China

Innovative plastic recycling and customised application solutions to help customers improve production efficiency with an aim to develop a circular economy.

The grant will be used to collect plastic bottles and enable partners to use the recycled plastic.

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Ju Tian Cleantech
Taiwan

Turning agricultural waste into everyday items, like compostable tableware, through their innovative technology.

The grant will help to expand the product line, reduce plastic, and spread awareness.

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Greenvines Biotech
Taiwan

A safe and sustainable skincare brand that uses regenerative materials and improves lives of small-holder farmer communities.

The grant will be used to R&D on upcycling ingredients and improve the lives of moringa farming households.

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