- Three new Amplifier tracks tackle urgent gaps in inclusive employment, tourism sustainability, and fashion waste
- Backed by a capital commitment of S$2 million this year, the programme offers strategic mentorship, expert advisory, and catalytic funding to scale impactful innovations for Asia
- Amplifier is supported by over 55 leading multi-sector partners
SINGAPORE, 28 April 2025 — Building on the momentum of its inaugural cohort, the Amplifier mentorship programme is set to return in 2025 with three new thematic tracks aimed at accelerating impact businesses to scale in Asia and beyond. Co-developed by the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA), the Amplifier adopts a whole-of-ecosystem approach, convening multi-sector partners to accelerate the growth of high-potential, impact-focused companies in Asia.
Following a successful launch in 2024 focused on “Climate and Nature,” the 2025 edition of the Amplifier will spotlight three high-impact tracks, each shaped in close collaboration with a dedicated Impact Innovation Partner:
- Unlocking opportunities and breaking down barriers to employment, in partnership with the Macquarie Group Foundation
- Sustainability transformation for small-medium enterprise suppliers in tourism, in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
- Innovation and circularity in the textile value chain, in partnership with SHEIN
Each track aims to identify scalable solutions to address critical gaps in Asia’s sustainable development landscape. The Impact Innovation Partners will support their respective tracks with expertise, sectoral insight, and a total capital commitment of S$2 million, including direct catalytic funding for the mentees. Mentees will also receive tailored support from a broad network of over 55 multi-sector partners (see Appendix).
Across all tracks, eligible companies must align with the track’s impact theme, demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and positive impact, and show evidence of product-market fit with early customer traction. Their solutions should also demonstrate commercial viability and have a clear strategy to scale.
“The 2025 tracks reflect our deepening commitment to supporting companies that drive meaningful impact and respond to Asia’s evolving priorities,” said Ms. Dawn Chan, Chief Executive Officer, CIIP. “We continue to see rising demand for scalable, localised innovation across sectors like employment, tourism, and fashion — areas ripe for transformation. Insights from our upcoming supply chain sustainability study have further sharpened our understanding of the support and solutions needed on the ground. By co-developing these tracks with ecosystem partners who bring deep industry expertise, we’re strengthening the infrastructure that helps promising startups overcome the ‘valley of death’ and deliver enduring, financially sustainable impact. We’re deeply grateful to all our partners who have come onboard to power this next phase of Amplifier.”
In 2024, the Amplifier programme received 139 applications from 35 countries and selected five standout ventures — Circ, GRST, Mayani, MYCL, and Sampangan — as mentees. These innovators are tackling critical challenges through solutions focused on sustainable agriculture and inclusive livelihoods, circular business models and waste management, emissions reduction, and beyond. Over the past 12 months, with the support of 34 partners, the mentees were matched with 20 mentors and received over 250 hours of tailored training, mentorship, and advisory support. Through recoverable grant funding supported by Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the 2024 cohort collectively unlocked over US$4 million in revenue and served more than 890 clients across both B2B and B2C markets.
“The achievements of the 2024 cohort underscore how catalytic capital, mentorship, and multi-sector collaboration can come together to drive impact. We are especially grateful to the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and our 2024 partners for their leadership in this inaugural phase,” said Mr. Shaun Seow, Chief Executive Officer, PAA. “With the 2025 tracks, we are building on that momentum with new focus areas relevant to the sustainability and success of businesses. Partnerships are at the heart of the Amplifier programme — and this next chapter is only possible because of the many collaborators on the journey.”
Unlocking Opportunities and Breaking Down Barriers to Employment
Many individuals, especially youth and marginalised groups, face barriers to meaningful employment due to limited access, skill mismatches, and biased hiring practices. As industries evolve, the gap widens for those without support to adapt. Bridging this divide requires inclusive pathways, fair recruitment, and continuous skills development to ensure equitable, long-term employment opportunities.
“As part of our Foundation’s strategic focus on breaking down barriers to employment, the Amplifier programme will help identify and support innovative startups that are not only creating jobs, but also enabling long-term employability for underserved people in Asia. Together with providing critical financial support, our people look forward to sharing their expertise with the chosen ventures, to help their growth journey,” said Ms. Verena Lim, Chair, Social Impact Investment Advisory Committee, and Asia CEO of Macquarie Group.
Sustainability Transformation for SME Suppliers in Tourism
SME suppliers form the backbone of Asia’s tourism sector but often lack the resources, knowledge, or tools to adopt sustainable practices. This creates a gap between rising sustainability expectations and on-the-ground capabilities. A targeted transformation is needed to help these businesses reduce their environmental footprint, support local communities, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global tourism landscape.
"We know that being able to unlock new markets and funding opportunities for small businesses is a critical driver for their growth and stability,” said Ms. Subhashini Chandran, Senior Vice President, Social Impact, at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “More than ever, it is important to help small businesses around the world access tools and knowledge to bolster resilience and create opportunities for growth, especially in fast-growing sectors such as tourism in Asia.”
Innovation and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain
The global textile industry needs to address environmental challenges across all phases of the product life cycle, starting from the generation of pre-consumer textile waste arising from excess unsold clothing, the emissions generated and consumption of land, water and other virgin resources in the production process, and extending to end-of-life management, which is constrained by a largely linear model with limited reuse or recycling of used clothing. Circularity presents a vital opportunity to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint, extend product lifespans, and introduce new pathways of growth, through the increased use of low-impact technologies, more sustainable materials, and innovative production and consumption models. With Asia playing a central role as both a leading producer and rapidly growing consumer market, the region is uniquely positioned to lead the transformation toward a more sustainable textile future.
“SHEIN’s on-demand business model leverages technology and efficiency to minimise inventory and resource waste from overproduction. As part of our broader sustainability strategy, we are committed to working with ecosystem partners to invest in and accelerate the adoption of preferred materials, promote the use of production processes that reduce waste and resource use, and initiatives to help our customers adopt more circular practices,” said Mr. Leonard Lin, SHEIN EMEA President, Global Head of Public Affairs, and Singapore General Manager. “We are honoured to be a partner of the 2025 Amplifier Programme and to contribute to advancing innovation across the textile value chain. This initiative allows us to leverage our resources and expertise as we continue to contribute towards the growth of a more future-ready fashion industry.”
Call-for-applications are now open (see Appendix for details of this by track). Selected mentees will be announced at sector-relevant platforms later this year.
For more information, please visit https://philanthropyasiaalliance.org/our-impact/the-amplifier/2025.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices
The Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (“CIIP”) was established in 2022 as a non-profit entity by Temasek Trust to foster impact investing and practices in Asia and beyond by building and sharing knowledge, bringing together stakeholders in the community, and bringing about positive action that accelerates the adoption of impact investing principles and practices. CIIP is the anchor partner for the United Nation Development Programme’s Private Finance for the SDGs, providing Asia investors and businesses with clarity, insights and tools that support their contributions towards achieving the SDGs. Temasek and ABC Impact are CIIP’s strategic partners. For more information, please visit www.ciip.com.sg.
About Macquarie Group Foundation
The Macquarie Group Foundation (Foundation) drives social impact work for Macquarie. The Foundation supports its people, businesses and communities to build a better future. The Foundation aims to leverage both financial and non-financial resources to achieve the greatest social impact possible.
In the year to 31 March 2024, the Macquarie Group Foundation, together with Macquarie Group staff, contributed $A67 million to over 3,000 community organisations around the world and contributed over $A5 million in value donated through skilled volunteering. Since it was established in 1985, the Foundation and Macquarie staff have contributed $A641 million globally. For further information, visit macquarie.com/community.
About Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company’s core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise, and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs, and empower a community of thinkers, leaders, and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive its latest insights, follow the Center on LinkedIn, Instagram and subscribe to its newsletter.
About Philanthropy Asia Alliance
Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) is a Temasek Trust initiative dedicated to catalysing collaborative philanthropy in Asia through dynamic multi-sector partnerships. By harnessing collective strengths, PAA multiplies impact, accelerates positive change, and takes urgent action to address the pressing environmental and social challenges of our time. PAA’s flagship programme is the annual Philanthropy Asia Summit. For more information, visit http://philanthropyasiaalliance.org.
About SHEIN
SHEIN is a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, offering SHEIN branded apparel and products from a global network of vendors, all at affordable prices. Headquartered in Singapore, SHEIN remains committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all, promoting its industry-leading, on-demand production methodology, for a smarter, future-ready industry. To learn more about SHEIN, visit www.sheingroup.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Edelman for Amplifier
Lim Yi Xin
[email protected]
Ng Zen Sze
[email protected]
APPENDIX:
AMPLIFIER 2025 TRACK OVERVIEWS
1. Unlocking Opportunities and Breaking Down Barriers to Employment
Impact Innovation Partner: Macquarie Group Foundation
Strategic Partner: NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (NTUC’s e2i) and Generation Hong Kong
Call for Applications: Live now — apply here
Funding available: S$100K per mentee
Focus Areas:
- Skills building and early career pathways
- Inclusive and equitable employment
- Fair recruitment and job seeker support
- Workforce adaptation and resilience
2. Sustainability Transformation for SME Suppliers in Tourism
Impact Innovation Partner: Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
Call for applications: Closed-door nominations
Funding available: Undisclosed
Focus Areas:
- Towards Nature and Environment Positivity
- Social and Stakeholder Empowerment
- Driving measurable impact and accountability
3. Innovation and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain
Impact Innovation Partner: SHEIN
Strategic Partner: Singapore Fashion Council
Call for applications: Live now — apply here
Funding available: S$230K per mentee
Focus Areas:
- Minimising pre-consumer textile impact
- Transforming post-consumer textile waste
- Keeping Apparel in Circulation
- Innovating with Alternative and Sustainable Materials
Mentees will be announced at the Singapore Fashion Council “Be The Change” Summit in September 2025.
AMPLIFIER 2025 PARTNERS
Impact Innovation Partner
- Macquarie Group Foundation
- Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
- SHEIN
Strategic Partner (Employability)
- NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (NTUC’s e2i)
- Generation Hong Kong
Strategic Partner (Textiles)
- Singapore Fashion Council
Programme Partners
- ABC Impact
- Deloitte Singapore
- Enterprise Singapore
- Temasek Life Sciences Accelerator
- Temasek Shophouse
- United Overseas Bank Limited
Industry Partners
- 500 Global
- adidas
- ALBA Singapore
- Antler
- B Lab Singapore
- CapitaLand Investment
- Circulate Capital
- Eastin Penang
- Envisioning Partners
- Fashion for Good
- H&M Foundation
- Heritas Capital
- Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
- Integra Partners
- Mana Impact
- Marriott International
- MAS Holdings
- Providentia Wealth Singapore
- qonvolv Ventures
- SG Enable
- Shanghai Innovation Bank
- SOSV
- Stride Ventures
- TAL Apparel
- The Ascott Limited
- The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA)
- The Mills Fabrica
- UOB Venture Management
Advisory Partners
- A&O Shearman
- Deloitte Singapore
- Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee
- MSL Singapore
- PwC Singapore
- Rajah & Tann Asia
- Tri-Sector Associates
- True Materialist
- WongPartnership LLP
Network Partners
- 100x Impact
- Cartier Women's Initiative
- Elemental Impact
- Instellar
- Third Derivative and RMI (founded as the Rocky Mountain Institute)
- The Earthshot Prize
- Touchstone Partners
