Themed “Achieving Impactful Outcomes: Perspectives from the Ground”, the third edition of the Impact Investing Roundtable, co-organised by Temasek and the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP), brought together impact investing industry experts, investors, and innovative companies to discuss how deeper end-user insights, catalytic partnerships, and innovative financing can drive meaningful and measurable impact.
The Roundtable was a partner event of Ecosperity Week 2025 by Temasek. The sessions explored the value that impact investing and practices bring to end customers, including consumers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The programme included panel and roundtable discussions, focused on unlocking capital and advancing inclusive, sustainable solutions in Asia.
Mr. Desmond Kuek, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Trust, said: “We need stronger, more adaptive partnerships — across capital types, sectors, and geographies — not just to respond to crises, but to sense, sense-make, and proactively redesign systems and frameworks for value creation and resilience.”
Mr. Desmond Kuek, Executive Director and CEO of Temasek Trust, delivering his remarks at the Impact Investing Roundtable 2025. View the speech here.
Read on for key takeaways and highlights from the event.
Investing with End-Beneficiaries in Mind
At the Partner Showcase, fund managers focused on how deep, on-the-ground insights are shaping long-term investment strategies.
Panellists highlighted the importance of hearing from the end-beneficiaries and understanding customer aspirations, financial resilience, and lived experiences to inform scalable solutions. They spoke of directing capital with intention to create inclusive and measurable outcomes for underserved communities.
(From left) Ms. Eliza Foo, Director, Impact Investing, Temasek, moderated the panel with Ms. Jyotsna Krishna, Managing Partner, Elevar Equity, and CEO and Co-Founder of EPIC World; Ms. Sugandhi Matta, Chief Impact Officer, ABC Impact; and Mr. Michael Schlein, CEO, Accion.
From multi-country beneficiary studies to real-time data platforms, the discussion underscored the role of evidence, intentionality, and integrated outcomes in driving impact.
Listening for Deeper Impact
In a session about understanding customers, panellists reflected on the value of listening to end-users via surveys, as well as challenges they face in collecting feedback from consumers.
They shared how unexpected insights — such as reduced stress levels in customers — revealed the human impact of their services beyond conventional metrics such as income or cost, reshaping how they measure success and design solutions.
Ms. Di Fu, Vice President, Impact Investing, Temasek, moderates the panel with Mr. Prasanna Rao, CEO, Arya.ag; Mr. Ross Strike, Head of M&A and Investor Relations, Moniepoint; Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Founder Director, Ujala Cygnus; and Ms. Smita Deorah, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, LEAD School.
The conversation highlighted the value of local and trusted teams, a culture of listening actively without bias, and immersive observation. There was also a frank discussion on challenges faced when soliciting feedback from customers, including inherent biases, survey design, data accuracy, and resourcing required.
Listening to customers in a thoughtful manner is important to drive effective impact, and can help refine products and ensure solutions cater to the experiences and needs of customers.
Driving Inclusive Growth Through Sustainable Supply Chains
Sustainable supply chains are pivotal to continued impact and resilience, particularly for MSMEs.
More MSMEs in Southeast Asia are recognising the advantages of adopting sustainable practices, including lowering costs, improving efficiency, and attracting talent, panellists noted.
The panel on company perspectives featured moderator Ms. Fang Eu-Lin, Partner and Sustainability & Climate Change Practice Leader, PwC Singapore; Ms. Jade Zhu, APAC Sustainability Strategy Senior Manager, PepsiCo; Mr. Kelvin Teo, Co-Founder and CEO, Funding Societies; Ms. Maggie Ye, Managing Director, NIO Capital; and Mr. Richard Bourne, Senior Vice President, APAC, EcoVadis.
On the ground, localising networks, modernising practices, and applying technology are enabling businesses to strengthen supply chains while building long-term partnerships.
The discussion also came as CIIP launched its new report, Transforming for Sustainability: Driving Impact and Value through Supply Chain Action, at the Roundtable. The report calls for an ecosystem approach to help MSMEs in Southeast Asia adopt more sustainable practices.
Throughout the course of the study, CIIP engaged and sought the views of Khazanah Nasional Berhad as both organisations have a shared interest in understanding the challenges faced by MSMEs in a world where sustainability considerations have become increasingly important.
Mr. Nicholas Khaw of Khazanah Nasional Berhad speaking at the Roundtable.
Mr. Nicholas Khaw, Head of Research and Co-Head of Private Markets, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, said that rising sustainability demands, especially in global value chains, could exclude the very firms that power Southeast Asia’s growth and livelihoods — namely, the 3.5 million MSMEs across the region.
However, this is not just a story of risk, but also one of untapped opportunity. If MSMEs can be better supported to meet sustainability expectations, they stand to unlock new markets, meet the evolving requirements of global buyers, and become long-term strategic partners in resilient supply chains, Mr. Khaw added.
Industry associations also serve as a key source of sustainability and ESG guidance for MSMEs, given their deep understanding of sector-specific needs and ability to recommend fit-for-purpose tools and approaches.
In line with this, CIIP and the Singapore Fashion Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to drive supply chain sustainability within the fashion and textiles industry.
Ms. Dawn Chan (left), CEO, CIIP, and Ms. Zhang Ting-Ting, CEO, Singapore Fashion Council, inked the MOU at the Impact Investing Roundtable 2025.
Under the agreement, the Singapore Fashion Council will lead the development of a sectoral plan, a resource guidebook, and a digital toolkit tailored to the sustainability needs of fashion and textiles MSMEs, leveraging insights from the report and CIIP’s ongoing ecosystem engagement efforts.
In parallel, CIIP and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance have launched the second edition of the Amplifier mentorship programme, with two dedicated tracks aimed at scaling innovative solutions for supply chain sustainability in tourism, as well as fashion and textiles. Adopting a whole-of-ecosystem approach, the programme is supported by over 55 cross-sector partners this year.
Collaboration as the Path Forward
The Impact Investing Roundtable 2025 concluded with a reminder that meaningful impact cannot be achieved by acting in isolation. In her closing remarks, Ms. Dawn Chan, CEO of CIIP, thanked participants for their insights and collaboration.
Ms. Dawn Chan from CIIP speaking at the Roundtable.
Active partnerships, across sectors, geographies, and disciplines, are essential to unlocking capital, scaling solutions, and navigating complexities.
CIIP welcomes more partners — including industry associations, corporates, technology and solution providers, investors, and financial institutions — to collectively advance lasting, positive impact.
CIIP is a non-profit entity established by Temasek Trust to foster impact investing and practices in Asia and beyond.
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