As part of its line-up of community engagement events connecting impact-driven funders and founders, digital impact marketplace Co-Axis recently collaborated with like-minded organisations to spotlight changemakers who are helming innovative solutions to advance financial inclusion for underserved communities, building resilient and sustainable oceans that also uplifts livelihoods, and empowering women.
Seeding the Future, co-hosted with Endowus, featured the impactful work of Coast 4C, Coral Vita, ErudiFi, and MAYANI, as well as insightful sharings by speakers from the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) and Conservation International.
Earlier in the month, speakers and panellists from Arta Finance, 100 Women In Finance, and YWCA of Singapore discussed fostering entrepreneurship among women from low-income households through mentorship and funding opportunities, and the importance of an ecosystem of support for women.
The event also marked another milestone in the partnership between Arta and Co-Axis to unlock new investment and funding approaches for global impact projects.
Coral Restoration, Education Financing, Regenerative Seaweed Farming, and Sustainable Agriculture
Bold, innovative solutions are key to tackling the complex, interconnected social and environmental challenges of today — ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss, to extreme poverty and youth unemployment.
To explore such solutions, members of the Endowus community engaged with impact-driven founders who are working to advance financial inclusion and ocean sustainability.
(From left:) Mr. JT Solis of MAYANI, which empowers smallholders through the transformative power of technology; and Mr. Naga Tan of ErudiFi, which aims to make education affordable in Southeast Asia.
ErudiFi CEO and Co-Founder Mr. Naga Tan highlighted that education financing can help to increase enrollment rates and accelerate industry growth in Southeast Asia. This comes as millions of students in the region lack access to affordable financing, due to a lack of credit history and high interest rates. ErudiFi offers affordable financing options for students through its platforms in the Philippines and Indonesia, with its reach amplified through partnerships with universities and vocational schools.
MAYANI Co-Founder and CEO, Mr. JT Solis, shared how their agri-tech platform boosts rural incomes for smallholder farmers and fisherfolk in the Philippines, while strengthening access to affordable fresh produce for both households and commercial buyers. MAYANI also champions nature-based solutions, ocean stewardship, and sustainable farming practices.
(From left:) Mr. Nick Hill of Coast 4C, which helps seaweed farmers shift to sustainable methods and the latest technologies; and a presentation by Coral Vita, which creates high-tech coral farms to restore reefs.
Coast 4C's Co-Founder and CEO, Mr. Nick Hill, noted that seaweed supply is stagnating due to a lack of investment and innovation in production, whereas demand is growing rapidly. To address this, Coast 4C scales the supply of high-quality, sustainable seaweed through its proprietary platform to meet demand while revitalising oceans and building prosperous, resilient coastal communities.
Coral Vita's Chief Reef Officer and Co-Founder, Mr. Sam Teicher, who joined via video presentation, shared more about how their unique model restores the world’s dying coral reefs through land-based coral farms that are designed to scale, lower the cost of reef restoration, and strengthen corals’ resilience against threats such as warming oceans.
Mr. Samuel Rhee of Endowus and Ms. Joycelyn Ong from Co-Axis both noted the power of innovation and collaboration in shaping a more sustainable, equitable future.
"It is possible to give more than we take, even in a space as cutthroat as finance."
— Mr. Samuel Rhee, Co-Founder, Chairman, and Group CIO, Endowus
Guests at Seeding the Future also heard from Ms. Sharon Koh from CIIP, who pointed out the large opportunity and need for financial inclusion in the region, and how smartphones and technology are enabling innovation and scale.
Ms. Jan Yoshioka, Vice President, Sustainable Finance, Asia-Pacific, Conservation International, spoke about impact financing for oceans, the blue economy, and the growing number of blue-focused impact investors, accelerators, and programmes in the Asia-Pacific.
Ms. Sharon Koh (left), CIIP, and Ms. Jan Yoshioka, Conservation International.
To support or find out more about Coast 4C, Coral Vita, ErudiFi, and MAYANI, visit the Co-Axis platform or reach out to [email protected].
Watch highlights from the evening:
Enabling Women's Entrepreneurship, Economic Empowerment
(From left:) Ms. Joycelyn Ong from Co-Axis, Ms. Sim Swee Hoon and Ms. Ong Puay See from YWCA of Singapore, and Ms. Amanda Ong of Arta Finance.
Empowering women can have a ripple effect in uplifting the lives of her family, in addition to her own, said Ms. Sim Hwee Hoon, President, YWCA of Singapore, at the recent event co-organised by Arta Finance, 100 Women In Finance, Co-Axis, and YWCA.
In addition, Ms. Sim noted that philanthropy is not just about giving, but also about “journeying with the community and co-creating a deeper impact that is sustainable”.
Arta Finance’s Country Head, Singapore, Ms. Amanda Ong, said that Co-Axis’ partnership with Arta expands opportunities for the latter’s members to support initiatives such as YWCA’s Women Business Accelerator (WBA) programme through impact investing and philanthropic giving.
Co-Axis and Arta are partnering to unlock funding for initiatives advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
YWCA service beneficiaries, Eva (middle) and Lilly (right), talking about their life journeys and what entrepreneurship means to them, with Ms. Ong Puay See from YWCA.
Attendees heard about how the WBA programme aims to provide women from lower-income households with mentorship and networks to support their entrepreneurship journeys.
This builds the women’s confidence and supports them in creating a source of income that aligns with their needs, bolstering their financial adequacy and well-being in the long run.
The WBA programme thus "serves as a launchpad to empower women with aspirations to build businesses and to sustain future generations and uplift lives", said Ms. Cheryl Ong, Project Manager at YWCA.
To kickstart their journey, the programme will support budding entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial training, mentorship, a pitch day, and an accelerator hub with a developed support network.
Ms. Melissa Kang, 100 Women In Finance.
Meanwhile, Ms. Melissa Kang from the 100 Women In Finance network shared about her inspiring journey — from an entrepreneur to a leader advancing climate action in Southeast Asia.
If you are interested in funding or participating as a mentor in the WBA programme, visit the Co-Axis platform or reach out to [email protected].
Community Building: Catalysing a Brighter Future, Together
Impact-focused ventures around the world are forging new pathways in tackling social and environmental challenges. Collaboration, patient capital, and enduring support will enable these solutions to scale and thrive for the long term.
Beyond its digital platform with curated impact opportunities, Co-Axis also acts as a hub from which communities can emerge to share best practices and key learnings through innovative financing, networking, education, and training.
"The Co-Axis platform allows us to build a community where we can support each other, a community which comes together and believes in the same cause and purpose."
— Ms. Ong Puay See, Executive Director, YWCA of Singapore
Co-Axis aims to bring together key actors and create a vibrant community of changemakers focused on driving positive environmental and social impact.
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