DBS Foundation awards funding totalling SGD 4.5 million to 22 businesses for impact in the latest instalment of its annual grant programme

[1]Impact Beyond Award[2]

SpedGrow was founded by a team who used to work at schools for individuals with special needs, and who noticed the lack of tailored financial literacy education for this segment. The company is focused on equipping individuals with special needs (primarily children and youth) with financial literacy skills. It has created a unique solution that combines a functional curriculum, proprietary inclusive educational toys and a user-friendly app.

Opsis leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to assess a person’s mental well-being. Its solution enables accurate early detection of mental health conditions such as burnout, acute stress and depression. Its multi-modal AI engine seeks to determine a person’s mental well-being by analysing their facial expressions.

SoundEye aims to detect and prevent falls – a growing issue among the elderly, particularly those living alone. Falls are a major cause of injury and death among seniors. SoundEye’s fall detection technology integrates advanced depth imaging and sound recognition technologies. The founder was inspired to form the company after his mother-in-law fell from her bed while being hospitalised for an operation.

Beyond supporting businesses of impact, DBSF also works with like-minded partners across the private, public and people sectors to drive various support programmes for vulnerable communities. In November last year, DBSF deployed SG 88 million to launch 15 new programmes in its key markets, aimed at helping those in need to build towards better circumstances over time.

These efforts are part of DBS’ commitment to ramp up support for the vulnerable. It has pledged up to SGD 1 billion and 1.5 million employee volunteering hours over ten years to this purpose.

For more information on DBSF’s work and the DBSF grant programme, please visit: https://www.dbs.com/foundation/grants.html

APPENDIX: Recipients of the 2024 DBS Foundation Grant Programme

Market

Grantee

Description

Singapore

SoundEye

Creating innovative solutions to detect and prevent falls, improving elderly safety and well-being. The grant funds development and launch of a new smart home light.

Opsis

Developing healthcare-grade emotion AI technology for mental health screening. The grant funds a new mobile app to improve elderly access to mental health screening.

SpedGrow

Educating persons with special needs in financial literacy using inclusive toys, a functional curriculum, and a user-friendly app. The grant funds development of toy kits connecting with their digital program.

Hong Kong

The Project Futurus

Promoting positive ageing through education, advocacy, and programs like dignity dining and sensory experiences. The grant funds inclusive dining development for those with chewing/swallowing difficulties.

Motive Force

Advancing elderly and disabled well-being through gerontechnology, rehabilitation, and primary healthcare solutions. The grant increases production capacity of a remote fall prevention rehabilitation solution.

Rhys Workshop

Empowering marginalized communities with sewing training and remote work opportunities. The grant scales up production by purchasing machines and providing training/employment opportunities.

Taiwan

Silver Gate Delivery

Providing efficient elderly meal delivery with tech-driven feedback and an online store. The grant expands market coverage by enhancing services and acquiring new clients.

DuoFu Travel Service

Offering accessible travel solutions for the elderly and disabled. The grant develops more accessible travel options and expands service capacity.

DOMI Earth

Streamlining business models to save resources, redirecting them to support vulnerable groups. The grant raises awareness of social/environmental issues and acquires new clients.

China

Rainbow Medical Tech

Enhancing paediatrics diagnosis with AI to improve healthcare inclusion for underprivileged children. The grant develops and promotes AI-powered facial recognition technology for early diagnosis.

Yibao Technology

Creating inclusive insurance products and financial education. The grant develops and promotes innovative solutions for inclusive insurance and customer service through online platforms.

YinShan Health Tech

Providing inclusive special education for children. The grant promotes inclusive education through exhibitions, teacher training, and demonstration zones.

CFDP-LEYE Information

Empowering the physically challenged workforce. The grant enhances the online platform, expands recruitment reach, and increases registrations.

Indonesia

Komodo Water

Delivering sustainable water access and management solutions. The grant scales up their business to expand to new locations and increase capacity.

Aliet Green

Producing regenerative organic food ingredients with a focus on women's empowerment. The grant focuses on application development and capacity building for sustainable farming methods.

Adena Coffee

Empowering local communities through sustainable coffee practices. The grant optimizes supply chain processes, builds facilities, and expands access to global markets.

Java Fresh

Connecting smallholder farmers and marginalized women to global fruit markets. The grant supports research & technology, enhances facilities, and empowers farmers to meet global standards.

PT Kreasi Anak Indonesia (GandengTangan)

Providing accessible financing and financial education to empower MSMEs. The grant strengthens and extends strategic partnerships.

India

Hasiru Dala Innovations

Building a world with no waste through Inclusive Circularity. The grant upgrades plastic waste processing capacity and enters new markets.

Atypical Platform

Generating livelihoods for people with disabilities. The grant runs skilling centers and develops inclusive training curriculum.

NeuroSynaptic Communications

Delivering healthcare access in rural areas through digital health and telemedicine. The grant establishes two new ReMeDi centers.

Last Mile Care

Offering affordable healthcare to blue-collar workers in industrial and workplace settings. The grant will be used to establish three phygital healthcare service units to serve low-income, peri-urban communities.

^[1] Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, India, Indonesia
^[2]This figure includes this latest instalment of the DBS Foundation grant programme [END]About DBS Foundationwww.dbs.com/dbsfoundation