
Co-Axis Secures S$1.25 Million in Catalytic Capital to Scale Climate and Health Solutions in Asia
sourced from the Temasek Trust network, which have undergone thorough screening and adhere to internationally recognised standards. Expert philanthropy advisory services from TT Foundation Advisors (TTFA) to guide giving strategies.
from TT Foundation Advisors (TTFA) to guide giving strategies. Knowledge and capacity-building programmes through partners such as the Centre for Impact Investing & Practices (CIIP) and Tri-Sector Associates (TSA).
[1] ' 2024 Financing for Sustainable Development Report ', United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 May 2025 - Co-Axis, a digital impact marketplace connecting funders with impact opportunities advancing the UN SDGs, has secured S$1.25 million in catalytic capital from the Richardson Family (RF), a UK based family office, and Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H), a catalytic vehicle by Temasek Trust, to support and scale solutions in climate, health, and their intersection.RF has committed S$250,000 over two years to co-fund impact opportunities curated by Co-Axis, with the support of C3H. RF will leverage the due diligence conducted by C3H and align with its investment terms and post-investment reporting framework. C3H is also committing S$1 million to co-fund Co-Axis impact opportunities focused on climate, health, and their intersection."We see great value in being able to co-invest in curated opportunities where the intent is clear, the due diligence is robust, and the additionality we bring is meaningful," said a spokesperson for the Richardson Family."Catalytic capital plays a vital role in de-risking early-stage opportunities and unlocking additional funding," said Mr Ryan Tan, Head, C3H. "At C3H, we back bold, scalable solutions in climate, health, and their intersection. By harnessing Co-Axis and a collaborative ecosystem, we can accelerate capital deployment and scale impact where it matters most."The global push to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 faces a significant financing shortfall, with estimates indicating an annual gap of approximately US$4.2 trillion[1]. This deficit is particularly pronounced in developing regions, where public funding for international development has stagnated over the past decade.Catalytic capital – patient, risk-tolerant, and flexible – has emerged as a key enabler in bridging this gap. Unlike conventional investments, it is designed to unlock additional private capital and absorb higher risk to drive positive social and environmental outcomes. In Asia, momentum is growing: the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility is helping mobilise funds for sustainable infrastructure, while other initiatives such as the Climate Innovation and Development Fund or the Southeast Asia Clean Energy Facility II (SEACEF II) further signal a regional shift towards more innovative, impact-focused financing.While still nascent, the catalytic capital ecosystem is gaining traction as more funders recognise its potential to transform how capital is deployed. Co-Axis contributes to this momentum by channelling funding into SDG-aligned opportunities with strong governance, measurable outcomes, and potential for systems-level change.Since being launched at the Philanthropy Asia Summit (PAS) in April 2024, Co-Axis now has about 100 impact opportunities from over 40 countries on its platform. It works with a range of partners across the Temasek Trust ecosystem to offer:Through its efforts, Co-Axis is cultivating a thriving community of impact innovators, funders, and stakeholders working together to accelerate transformative solutions to global challenges."By connecting values-driven capital with curated impact opportunities, Co-Axis is creating new pathways across the capital spectrum to accelerate and scale collective impact," said Ms Joycelyn Ong, Head, Co-Axis. "Momentum is building – we invite impact innovators to join us, and like-minded funders to explore and support the many high-impact solutions available on Co-Axis."To find out more, visit Co-Axis at www.coaxis.network
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Richardson Family
The Richardson family business is a multi-generational, independent, investment and trading business, founded in UK the first half of the 20th Century. To find out more visit www.richardsons.co.uk.
About Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health
Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health ("C3H") is a catalytic vehicle by Temasek Trust that provides capital to innovative, early-stage companies in Climate, Health, and their intersection. C3H focuses on companies that deliver tangible impact through bold, scalable solutions. Its activities are anchored by Temasek Trust's impact areas of Planet, People, Peace, and Progress. Follow C3H on LinkedIn for updates.
About Co-Axis
Co-Axis – Collaborative Action to Xcelerate Impact and Sustainability – is a digital impact marketplace that catalyses high-impact solutions at speed and scale by unlocking capital across the spectrum and galvanising action within the global impact community. It curates opportunities ranging from research and early-stage innovations to new business models, connecting them with a diverse network of funders, solution providers, and expert advisors. Beyond transactions, Co-Axis fosters knowledge exchange and capacity-building through forums, a knowledge hub, and workshops – empowering global leaders to seed capital, spark ideas, and scale impact for a better tomorrow. Learn more at www.coaxis.network and follow Co-Axis on LinkedIn for updates.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Barnama
33 minutes ago
- Barnama
World Bank Approves US$10 Mln Emergency Aid For Cape Verde
PRAIA, Cape Verde, Aug 14 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The World Bank has approved US$10 million in emergency assistance to support Cape Verde's response to heavy rains that have left eight people dead and three others missing, Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva has said, Xinhua reported. In a post on his official social media page Wednesday, Correia e Silva said the aid was activated under a cooperation programme aimed at supporting the government's efforts toward a resilient and equitable economic recovery, with the World Bank authorising an immediate disbursement. He thanked the World Bank Group for its "swift response" to Cape Verde's request and its "strong sense of solidarity" in addressing urgent social and infrastructure needs to protect communities and rebuild with greater resilience.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Stronger brand strategy, governance and cross-sector collaboration the way forward for businesses
KUALA LUMPUR: Strengthening brand narratives, embracing ethical governance and forging collaborative networks were among the key strategies put forward at the National CEO Forum 2025 today as Malaysian businesses grapple with the pressures of an evolving global economy. According to Interbrand's 2024 report, brands worldwide have lost US$200 billion (RM939 billion then) in unrealised value over the past two years due to short-term thinking and weak brand focus. Malaysia, ranked 36th in the Global Soft Power Index 2025 with a score of 46.1, now faces the risk of slipping further if it fails to sharpen its competitive edge. CTOS Data Systems chief operating officer Lee Shin Mei said brand equity today can 'rise or fall faster than ever before', making structured, data-driven brand management more essential than ever. 'In Malaysia, we are a relationship-driven nation. We tend to trust people we know without checking. But proper governance and due diligence using data are critical to ensure we are working with the right partners and protecting our employees, stakeholders and customers,' she said. Lee cautioned that entering into collaborations without background checks can expose companies to reputational and financial risks. She recommended that businesses document a step-by-step brand narrative, set clear key performance indicators and include service-level guarantees in agreements. 'Without clarity and measurable commitments, expectations will inevitably fall short. But when everything is agreed upon and documented, both sides can move forward with confidence,' she added. Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office Dr Zulkifli Hasan said, 'From a dollars-and-cents perspective, the potential is massive. The Islamic banking sector alone is projected to grow from over US$4 trillion today to US$9.75 trillion by 2029. The halal industry, currently valued at US$2 trillion, is forecast to reach US$9.45 trillion by 2034,' he said. 'Islamic business is about serving both the market and the community. Mechanisms like zakat are not optional; they are integral to ensuring wealth is distributed fairly and society benefits,' he said. He emphasised that Islamic business principles are not exclusive to Muslims, but applicable to all Malaysians and international markets. KNKV Group chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zurainah Musa said, 'Collaboration is the new competition. Companies need each other to share resources and mitigate risk. Even banks collaborate with each other today because it makes it easier to access resources, share costs and achieve their objectives.' She pointed to Penang's rise as the 'Silicon Valley of the East' as a case study in collaborative growth. 'This didn't happen by chance. It happened because multinationals, SMEs and universities came together to share expertise, infrastructure and opportunities.' Muslim Insiders Business Chamber president Prof Adam Richman called on businesses regardless of size to join and actively participate in business communities. 'However big your brand is, it's not a reason to be arrogant. It's an opportunity to collaborate more,' he said. He noted that well-managed business communities allow companies to pool resources, combine supply and reduce operational burdens while increasing market reach. The forum also featured CTOS-led market intelligence briefings on Malaysian brand health, credit trends and consumer confidence outlook for 2026, as well as closed-door roundtables tackling sector-specific brand growth challenges. The forum themed 'Brand Growth and Focus 2026' and jointly organised by KNKV Group, CTOS Data Systems and the Muslim Insiders Business Chamber brought together 200 CEOs, leaders of government-linked companies and policymakers.


The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Asean's Islamic finance to surpass US$1 trillion by end-2026
KUALA LUMPUR: The size of the Islamic finance industry in ASEAN is expected to cross US$1 trillion by end-2026, after reaching nearly US$950 billion at the end of the first half of this year (1H2025). Credit ratings agency, Fitch Ratings (Fitch) said the industry's growth will continue to be led by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei due to their large Muslim populations, supportive regulations, access to sukuk, and potentially improving ties with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. "Malaysia is ASEAN's largest Islamic banking market, with about US$300 billion in assets, and Islamic financing representing 42 per cent of total system financing at end-1H2025,' the agency said in a statement. It added that Malaysia led ASEAN's Islamic funds segment, with assets under management (AUM) exceeding US$50 billion in the first four months of 2025 (4M2025), reflecting an established Islamic finance ecosystem, mature regulatory environment, strong demand and diverse Shariah-compliant products. As for Indonesia, its Islamic banking assets stood at US$56 billion in 4M2025, accounting for seven per cent of the banking sector's total. Brunei's Islamic banks held nearly US$10 billion in assets or 63 per cent of total banking assets at end-2024, while the Philippines' only Islamic bank's assets stood at about US$20 million. Indonesia's and Brunei's Islamic fund markets are smaller, with AUM of US$3 billion and US$500 million, respectively. Fitch Ratings also highlighted that Islamic finance demand in ASEAN is fragmented, with limited presence in Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand, and remains undeveloped in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar due to their small Muslim populations and lack of regulatory frameworks. "More interconnected ASEAN financial systems could support penetration,' it said. The agency said that sukuk outstanding in ASEAN reached US$475 billion or 16 per cent of the debt capital market (DCM) at end-1H2025, with Malaysia and Indonesia contributing almost all issuance, accounting for 47 per cent of the global sukuk market. Sukuk outstanding accounts for 59 per cent of Malaysia's DCM, and 18 per cent of Indonesia's DCM, while environmental, social and governance (ESG) sukuk are also concentrated in these two countries. It added that the Singapore Exchange is the sixth-largest dollar sukuk listing venue globally, and highlighted that the Philippines' sukuk outstanding remained flat since its 2023 sovereign debut, while Brunei's are mainly short-term and sovereign. No sukuk has been issued in other ASEAN countries. On takaful, Fitch Ratings said Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei have the most established takaful markets in ASEAN. General takaful represented 21 per cent of Malaysia's general insurance market in the first quarter of 2025, while family takaful held a 39 per cent share at end-2024. "Indonesia's takaful sector contributed 8.4 per cent of total insurance premiums in 4M2025, while Brunei's share was 47.8 per cent at end-2024. "Meanwhile, the Philippines' Insurance Commission issued guidelines for takaful window operations in 2024 and on inclusive micro products, including micro takaful in 2025, and granted the first takaful operator licences to two insurers in 2024,' it added. -- BERNAMA TAGS: Fitch Ratings, takaful, ASEAN, Islamic finance