DBS Foundation commits SGD 4.9 million to 22 impact entrepreneurs tackling emerging societal challenges for vulnerable communities in Asia

New cohort of grantees addresses critical and emerging needs in their communities – from healthcare and inclusive employment to caregiving support

Grantees will collectively impact more than 4.3 million people over the next two years

• Ageing societies and the care economy:
  
  

• • Eldercare: Straits Eye Centre (SG)expands seniors’ access to affordable specialist eye care; Neurowyzr (SG) and Medmind (HK) leverage digital tools and gamificationto detect and slow cognitive decline; Yusen Biotechnology Group (TW)delivers community-based eldercare through pharmacies; Tianjin Xiao Cheng (CN) provides seniors with integrated, affordable long-term care services.

• • Access to services: Old Kids Co. (CN)promotes digital inclusion among seniors; and Umami Life Corp (TW) provides nutritious meals for seniors while creating income opportunities for home-based women cooks.

• • Addressing caregiver needs: JUBO (TW) uses AI-powered solutions to improve care operations in long-term care facilities; Care for Taiwan (TW)strengthens the caregiving workforcethrough structured training and workforce development; InSchool (SG)provides affordable, structured after-school care programmes for neurodivergent children 

• Economic empowerment and livelihood opportunities: Lernern (IN)creates apprenticeship pathways for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds; Konekin (ID), Shenzhen Yi Dian Ai (CN), and Hong Kong Aquaculture (HK) are advancing inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. SOBI (ID)supports smallholder farmers to improve productivity and incomes, Kadam Haat Basketry (IN)empowers rural artisans through market access, and Parongpong Raw Lab (ID) creates livelihoods for fishing communities by upcycling discarded fishing nets. 

• Expanding access to essential services: Ikure Techsoft (IN) improves access to affordable healthcare in rural India, DoctorTool (ID)enhances healthcare access and efficiency through digital solutions, and Nazava Water Filters (ID) provides affordable clean water solutions to low-income households. 

• Preventive health and well-being, particularly among younger populations: Good Mood (CN)provides affordable and accessible mental health support for youth, while MangaChat (SG)builds social-emotional resilience among children.

These grantees were selected from nearly 2,200 applications following a rigorous evaluation process, which involved 415 DBS employee volunteers – including senior management – who contributed their skills and expertise as grant evaluators.

Karen Ngui, Head of DBS Foundation, said: “In an increasingly uncertain world, helping vulnerable communities to build resilience is more important than ever. This calls for a whole-of-society effort, with businesses playing an important role alongside community and public sector partners. At the DBS Foundation, we support purpose-driven businesses tackling real challenges on the ground, providing holistic support including capital and capacity-building to scale their impact, while also working across the ecosystem to co-create interventions. Together, we seek to uplift the lives and livelihoods of those with less and help them to face the future with confidence.”

Strengthening Asia’s impact ecosystem since 2015

To date, DBS Foundation has catalysed the growth of more than 180 businesses for impact through its grant programme and Impact Beyond Award. The Impact Beyond Award supercharges businesses with transformative solutions that address urgent needs in ageing societies, with winners receiving up to SGD 1 million each to scale their impact.

In 2024, marking the start of DBS Foundation’s second decade, DBS strengthened its support for the Foundation’s work by pledging up to SGD 1 billion and 1.5 million employee volunteering hours over the next ten years. Of which, DBS Foundation has committed over SGD 160 million as of end 2025 to support 48 businesses for impact through grants and awards, and launch 29 new impact programmes in partnership with community and public sector partners. These are projected to collectively impact over 8 million lives by 2029.

By galvanising an ecosystem-wide approach, DBS Foundation aims to drive meaningful, sustainable and scalable change at scale – empowering those with less to build forward and progress towards better circumstances in the long-term.

For more information on DBS Foundation, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation


^[1] Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, India, Taiwan

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APPENDIX: The 2025 cohort of DBS Foundation grantees

<sup>About DBS Foundation
Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters financial inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.

In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.

With ageing societies becoming a pressing concern, DBS Foundation is intensifying efforts to shape mindsets and spark interventions – so that regardless of life stage or circumstance, there is opportunity to age with dignity, purpose and joy.

Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.
 
For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation</sup>