Positive Energy is a blockchain-based renewable energy finance platform, whereas Warung Pintar provides MSMEs access to digital tools through smart kiosks
Singapore-headquartered Positive Energy and Indonesia-based Warung Pintar have won the ASEAN Impact Challenge, a programme by Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur, aimed at discovering entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia accelerating the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Positive Energy, which offers a blockchain-based renewable energy finance platform, won the early-stage category, while Warung Pintar, a social venture that provides micro and small businesses access to digital tools powered by IoT and data analytics through smart kiosks, won the scale-stage category.
Both the firms will receive continuous mentorship support from Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur, which has an established global network of impact-driven intermediaries, investors and corporate leaders.
“Technology innovators have the biggest potential to create social impact at scale, and Southeast Asia is home to many talents yet to be discovered and nurtured. This is why the ASEAN Impact Challenge exists. To discover those talents, and help them scale their innovations so that together, we can create impact on the lives of those living in the region, leaving no one behind,” said Dr. Shariha Khalid Erichsen, Board Member of Impact Hub KL.
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Positive Energy aims to revolutionise the energy funding process to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy assets globally with a blockchain-based platform, making green investments fast, liquid and economically viable for all parties involved.
Warung Pintar, which recently closed a US$4 million funding round from Vertex Ventures, Pavilion Capital and Line Ventures, was founded upon the mission to eradicate the massive income gap by offering equal entrepreneurship opportunities to those living at the bottom of the pyramid. In less than one year, Warung Pintar has digitised 1,000 kiosks across the Greater Jakarta area.
Established in Malaysia in 2015, Impact Hub KL is a network focused on building entrepreneurial communities for impact at scale — home to the innovators, the dreamers and the entrepreneurs who are creating tangible solutions to the world’s most pressing issues. Impact Hub KL’s vision is to be a hub for business and people-driven impact in Malaysia and beyond.
Since inception, Impact Hub KL has reached over 15,000 beneficiaries through its three pillars of work that aim to deliver wellbeing and sustainability outcomes through Empowered Learners, Impactful Enterprises and Inclusive Cities. The ASEAN Impact Challenge is a programme managed by Impact Hub KL under its Impactful Enterprises pillar.
The ASEAN Impact Challenge Awards Ceremony was hosted by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council at the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit at Sands Convention Centre, Singapore, as part of Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur’s collaboration with ASEAN Business Advisory Council & the ASEAN Secretariat to provide greater exposure for the impact-driven, tech entrepreneurs to the larger business community in the region.
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