ASEAN Sparks Catalyse Phase Boosts Climate Tech in Southeast Asia

The ASEAN Sparks accelerator program has officially entered its second phase—Catalyse, offering a powerful springboard for climate innovators across the region to scale their technologies, grow market presence, and connect with potential investors. Running through October 2025, this critical phase is equipping early-stage startups with the tools, mentorship, and exposure they need to transition from promise to performance.

Jointly organised by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding and strategic backing from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Catalyse phase builds upon the momentum created during the program’s successful launch stage, Ignite.

A Strategic Step Forward for ASEAN Climate Tech

The ASEAN Sparks initiative was launched with the mission to support climate-focused startups across Southeast Asia, particularly those working in clean energy, energy efficiency, climate resilience, and clean mobility. These sectors are pivotal to the region’s path to net-zero emissions, and the need for innovative, scalable solutions has never been more urgent.

While the Ignite phase earlier this year offered foundational support—helping 40 startups validate their solutions and strengthen their business fundamentals—the Catalyse phase is about going deeper, scaling smarter, and connecting stronger.

“Many startups in ASEAN face limited access to the support they deserve, making it difficult for them to transition from early-stage development to commercial success,” said Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Acting Manager of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Department at the ASEAN Centre for Energy.

“Catalyse is designed to address these gaps between startups and energy ecosystem stakeholders, while also strengthening local capacity to foster a truly sustainable innovation landscape in climate tech.”

What Catalyse Offers to Climate Tech Startups

Over the three-month Catalyse phase, selected climate tech startups are receiving targeted, intensive support that includes:

• Workshops led by industry experts on business strategy, market expansion, intellectual property, and social impact
  
• Tailored mentorship with one-on-one guidance from professionals aligned to each startup’s unique challenges and stage
  
• Exposure at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2025, where 20 standout startups will present to a high-profile audience including policymakers, investors, and industry leaders
  

This accelerator phase is carefully designed to prepare startups for cross-border expansion and scale-up, recognising the regional nature of climate challenges and the need for solutions that transcend national boundaries.

A Platform for Investment and Visibility

One of the most anticipated milestones of the Catalyse phase is the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2025, where selected startups will pitch their solutions on an international platform. This offers a rare opportunity for early-stage climate tech ventures to connect with potential funders, policy influencers, and ecosystem enablers—all in one place.

By nurturing these innovators and giving them global visibility, ASEAN Sparks is creating the conditions for climate technologies to become commercially viable and widely adopted across the region and beyond.

This kind of exposure is essential for founders navigating complex regulatory environments or seeking cross-border partnerships. It also reflects a growing recognition within ASEAN that climate leadership must be locally grounded yet globally connected.

Building a Resilient, Innovation-Driven Future

Southeast Asia is on the frontline of the climate crisis. From rising sea levels and extreme weather to energy security challenges, the region faces unique vulnerabilities. But it is also home to a dynamic, entrepreneurial population with the capacity to turn adversity into innovation.

By investing in climate tech through programs like ASEAN Sparks, governments and institutions are paving the way for green growth, sustainable jobs, and climate resilience. The Catalyse phase represents more than just a business accelerator—it’s a commitment to future-proofing the region through homegrown ingenuity.

Collaboration at the Core

The ASEAN Sparks initiative wouldn’t be possible without strong international and regional collaboration. The partnership between ACE and UNIDO, supported by JAIF and METI, demonstrates a multi-stakeholder model that blends policy expertise, technical know-how, and financial support.

This model ensures that the program aligns with ASEAN’s broader goals, including the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2021–2025, which outlines a vision for an integrated, competitive, and sustainable energy future for the region.

Beyond October and Toward Impact

As the Catalyse phase unfolds, it will lay the foundation for long-term growth in the ASEAN climate innovation space. Whether through public-private partnerships, regional scaling, or investment facilitation, the startups graduating from this phase will be better equipped to drive the region’s low-carbon transition.

Startups that complete the Catalyse phase will emerge with:

• Stronger business models
  
• Market-ready strategies
  
• Investor connections
  
• A support network of regional peers and mentors
  

The impact of ASEAN Sparks will ripple far beyond its 2025 timeline—setting up a generation of entrepreneurs to lead the green transformation of Southeast Asia.

Climate tech has emerged as one of the most promising avenues for sustainable economic development in the ASEAN region. Through the ASEAN Sparks program, a powerful coalition of partners is ensuring that promising startups don’t just survive—they thrive.

As Catalyse builds momentum, it is fueling a new climate economy in Southeast Asia—resilient, scalable, and future-ready.

For more in-depth analysis and inspiring climate news, click here.