DBS Foundation awards funding totalling SGD 4.5 million to 22 businesses for impact in the latest instalment of its annual grant programme | 繁體
Hong Kong.13 Feb 2025
Hong Kong, 13 Feb 2025 - DBS Foundation (“DBSF”) has selected 22 businesses for impact – chosen from over 1,500 applications across its key markets[1] – to receive grant funding totalling SGD 4.5 million (equivalent to HKD 25.9 million) with which to scale their businesses and benefit more vulnerable communities. All in, their work is projected to collectively benefit more than 800,000 beneficiaries over two years.
These grantees share DBSF’s mission of uplifting the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable segments, in particular by providing essential needs (e.g. basic education, healthcare, clean water) and/or fostering inclusion through upskilling, employment and other opportunities. With ageing impacting many parts of Asia and a key priority for DBSF, a quarter of this year’s grantees are focused on tackling the needs of ageing societies. This includes developing innovative solutions to address elderly-related risks such as the growing incidence of falls, or helping communities to enjoy quality “living spans” – improved physical, financial, mental and social health – as they age.
The grant programme builds on other efforts by DBSF to scale longevity businesses as societies age. Among them is the Impact Beyond Award – launched last year, this seeks to unearth visionary businesses with solutions that can go towards enabling everyone to age with dignity, purpose and joy.
The DBSF grant programme supports innovative social enterprises and small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) that create positive impact. It does this by equipping them with the capital and know-how to scale. Grant funding aside, grantees also gain access to holistic support from the bank including targeted guidance and mentorship, capacity-building, networking opportunities and more.
Since the launch of the grant programme in 2015, DBSF has disbursed grants totalling SGD 21.5 million[2] (equivalent to HKD 123.8 million) to some 160 grantees. The grant programme’s alumni have gone on to raise 10x in further funding for themselves.
Alphae Chen, Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications at DBS Bank (Hong Kong), said: “As a purpose-driven bank, we understand our social responsibility to uplift the communities we serve in Hong Kong. The DBS Foundation grantees align with our mission to do good while achieving success, offering innovative solutions that particularly benefit vulnerable groups. We are dedicated to supporting these businesses by providing them with the capital, expertise, and insights they need to grow and realise their full potential. With many societies in Hong Kong facing rapid ageing, we hope their solutions will enable everyone to not only live longer but also live more purposefully and meaningfully.”
Three of the 22 grantees are from Hong Kong:
These efforts are part of DBS’ commitment to ramp up support for the vulnerable. It has pledged up to SGD 1 billion (equivalent to HKD 5.7 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
These grantees share DBSF’s mission of uplifting the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable segments, in particular by providing essential needs (e.g. basic education, healthcare, clean water) and/or fostering inclusion through upskilling, employment and other opportunities. With ageing impacting many parts of Asia and a key priority for DBSF, a quarter of this year’s grantees are focused on tackling the needs of ageing societies. This includes developing innovative solutions to address elderly-related risks such as the growing incidence of falls, or helping communities to enjoy quality “living spans” – improved physical, financial, mental and social health – as they age.
The grant programme builds on other efforts by DBSF to scale longevity businesses as societies age. Among them is the Impact Beyond Award – launched last year, this seeks to unearth visionary businesses with solutions that can go towards enabling everyone to age with dignity, purpose and joy.
The DBSF grant programme supports innovative social enterprises and small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) that create positive impact. It does this by equipping them with the capital and know-how to scale. Grant funding aside, grantees also gain access to holistic support from the bank including targeted guidance and mentorship, capacity-building, networking opportunities and more.
Since the launch of the grant programme in 2015, DBSF has disbursed grants totalling SGD 21.5 million[2] (equivalent to HKD 123.8 million) to some 160 grantees. The grant programme’s alumni have gone on to raise 10x in further funding for themselves.
Alphae Chen, Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications at DBS Bank (Hong Kong), said: “As a purpose-driven bank, we understand our social responsibility to uplift the communities we serve in Hong Kong. The DBS Foundation grantees align with our mission to do good while achieving success, offering innovative solutions that particularly benefit vulnerable groups. We are dedicated to supporting these businesses by providing them with the capital, expertise, and insights they need to grow and realise their full potential. With many societies in Hong Kong facing rapid ageing, we hope their solutions will enable everyone to not only live longer but also live more purposefully and meaningfully.”
Three of the 22 grantees are from Hong Kong:
- The Project Futurus promotes positive ageing, dignity dining and social inclusion through education, advocacy, and community service. The grant will be used to develop and promote inclusive dining for those with chewing and swallowing difficulties, procure production equipment, provide training, consultation, and marketing support to restaurant partners.
- Motive Force advances elderly and disabled well-being through innovative gerontechnology, rehabilitation, and primary healthcare solutions. The grant will be used to increase production capacity and efficiency of a remote rehabilitation solution for fall prevention, leveraging 3D printing technology.
- Rhys Workshop empowers marginalised communities with sewing training and remote work opportunities for sustainable careers. The grant will be used to scale up production by purchasing essential machines and providing training and employment opportunities for grassroots mothers.
These efforts are part of DBS’ commitment to ramp up support for the vulnerable. It has pledged up to SGD 1 billion (equivalent to HKD 5.7 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
[1] Singapore, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Indonesia
[2] This figure includes this latest instalment of the DBS Foundation grant programme
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About DBS Foundation
DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need.
Since 2014, it has been championing innovative businesses for impact – businesses that are focused on addressing key societal issues, and achieve profit through purpose. Through philanthropic funding, capacity-building, mentorship and other support measures, DBS Foundation catalyses the growth and impact of these purpose-driven businesses.
It also seeks to ignite positive change by helping the underserved and underprivileged to build towards better circumstances. This includes providing essential needs to those without, and fostering inclusion by equipping them with financial and digital literacy skills.
DBS Foundation also works with other like-minded partners to ignite enduring change. Its vision is to spark collective action to help build a better world; to make every day better and every tomorrow brighter. For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation
