Sustainability

Australia’s Avarni raises $3M led by Main Sequence to speed up decarbonization efforts

Australian carbon management startup Avarni has raised $3 million to streamline the future of carbon management. The round is the second fundraising since founding and was led by deep tech venture firm Main Sequence, along with existing investors Vulpes Ventures and Common Sense Ventures.

The Supply chain paradox: Sustainability vs. profitability

Adopting the right mindset and attitude towards sustainability – viewing it as an opportunity for growth instead of an obligation – is key. To build a successful and resilient business, leaders must realize that sustainability goes beyond decarbonization, it also includes a commitment to stakeholders of the value chain on social responsibility.

Solar AI Technologies’ Bolong Chew on improving access to renewable tech [ORIGIN Innovation Awards Q&A]

When it comes to sustainable innovation, the first key challenge is the lack of trust and awareness in the technology available in the market. In the context of solar, cost savings of solar can take a few years to actualize, leaving few homeowners willing to invest in a system that they also knew little about in terms of maintenance requirements.

Indonesia’s Fairatmos raises $4.5M seed round led by Go-Ventures and Kreasi Terbarukan TBS

Fairatmos, an Indonesia-based carbon technology platform, has raised $4.5 million in its seed round, led by Go-Ventures and Kreasi Terbarukan TBS, the investment arm of one of Indonesia’s leading integrated energy companies, Toba Bara Sejahtera. The round also saw participation from Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India and prominent angel investors.

SK D&D seals deal with Glennmont to invest in solar PV projects in South Korea

South Korea-based renewable energy SK D&D has signed shareholders agreement with Glennmont Partners from Nuveen (Glennmont), one of the world’s largest fund managers investing in clean energy based in the United Kingdom, to establish a joint venture company for the co-investment of solar photovoltaics (PV) projects in South Korea. 

Plant-based leather startup PEEL Lab aims to replace 1% of existing leather market by 2030, says Co-Founder [ORIGIN Innovation Awards Q&A]

A winner of the ORIGIN Innovation Awards 2022: Startup Leader of the Year — Startup Trailblazers award, PEEL Lab Co-Founder Jim Huang noted that millennials and GEN-Z are looking for eco-friendly products and brands. The startup hopes to make its leather affordable and accessible to everyone.

ESG brings color back into the business model, says VinFast Director of ESG Dr. Morgan Carroll [ORIGIN Innovation Awards Q&A]

At VinFast we envisage an ecosystem unit that is neutral in nature and compliments stakeholder environmental sentiments.

EY and Microsoft expand alliance to help businesses achieve net-zero goals

The EY organization and Microsoft has on Friday announced a deepened strategic relationship to further develop environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data management offerings that support clients with achieving operational decarbonization and net-zero goals.

SDTA’s Clara Chen and Luuk Eliens on the importance of the deep-tech ecosystem in sustainability [Q&A]

Aligning with Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE2025) goals to drive technology translation and commercialization for local enterprises, SDTA will partner with EnterpriseSG to broaden ecosystem connections and support deep-tech startups in the venture builder’s portfolio.

Singapore-based climate tech start-up URECA closes Pre-Seed funding round at $1.5M

URECA, a Singapore-headquartered climate tech company, has announced on Tuesday the close of its pre-seed fundraising round at $1.5 million, exceeding the company’s original target to raise $1 million. This funding will be used to scale URECA’s operations across Southeast Asia and to accelerate the launch of its unique marketplace that enables people to…