Media OutReach
Philanthropy Deployed as Risk Capital Holds Potential to Scale Early-Stage Innovations in Asia, New Report Finds
- Asia’s development challenges are outpacing conventional funding models, with early-stage, high-risk innovations chronically underfunded
- Philanthropy Asia Alliance and Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society’s new research explores how Asian funders are bridging this gap, and the lessons to scale impact across the region
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 May 2026 – A new report released today at the sixth Philanthropy Asia Summit highlights what becomes possible when philanthropy in Asia is deployed as risk capital: funding that absorbs the risks of unproven solutions that governments are unable or unwilling to back, markets cannot yet price, and social innovators cannot bear alone. It also sets out what it will take to scale this approach and accelerate impact across the region.
The report spotlights 10 cases spanning climate, health, housing, water, waste, and digital inclusion where philanthropic risk capital underwrote the earliest and riskiest stages of social innovation. These range from sustainable housing and carbon removal technologies to public health interventions, with early backing helping solutions attract follow-on funding and achieve adoption within public systems. Collectively, these efforts have reached more than 210 million people across 13 Asian economies, a scale that demonstrates the model’s potential, even as these cases represent only a small fraction of the region’s needs.
“Philanthropy as Risk Capital in Asia: Bridging Innovation to Impact“ was researched and written by the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) and commissioned by the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). Drawing on 10 case studies and 37 in-depth interviews with philanthropists, fund managers, social enterprise founders and programme leads across 13 markets, the report explores how and when Asian philanthropy functions as risk capital, and its potential to address development challenges in Asia at scale. It also examines what drives funders to take these risks, how capital is deployed across different instruments and stages of innovation, and the strategies used to manage risk while maximising impact.
Key findings
The findings point to several consistent patterns in how Asian philanthropists featured in the study approach early-stage risk:
- Philanthropy as risk capital in Asia is often patient and conviction-driven; funders are prepared to commit long-term capital to enable solutions to scale. The largest and longest commitments came from individual philanthropists and families driven by personal conviction and direct experience of the challenges they seek to address. For example, The Tahija Foundation in Indonesia provided more than US$17 million over ten years to test a novel approach to dengue control using Wolbachia bacteria. A randomised controlled trial demonstrated a 77% reduction in dengue transmission, and the method has since been adopted into Indonesia’s national health plan, with an estimated 14 million people now protected. Institutional funders complement this with more targeted, milestone-linked discipline and deep trust in founders.
- Funders are experimenting beyond traditional grants to explore a range of instruments across different growth stages. From concessional debt to equity, funders are exploring instruments across the spectrum, with some sequencing different forms of capital as trust and results develop over time. However, knowledge gaps and regulatory constraints in some markets continue to limit broader adoption.
- Funders are leveraging relationships, community trust and government access to manage risk and extend reach. They bring networks, credibility, and access to government stakeholders alongside capital, reducing implementation risk and laying the groundwork for long-term partnerships. The funder’s proximity to the communities they serve, and alignment with domestic policy priorities, can prove as consequential as the funding itself.
- Funders are supporting alignment with public sector priorities from the outset, as early integration with public systems matters when government adoption is the pathway to scale. The projects that achieved the greatest reach did so through early engagement with government, with funders helping to align solutions with national or local priorities from the outset. For example, the Vanke Foundation made community waste management a thematic priority in support of China’s zero-waste city ambitions, and backed INSPRO, a social enterprise using insect-based bioconversion to recycle organic waste. Beyond funding, the foundation facilitated access to district government stakeholders, enabling INSPRO to establish operations in Yantian and scale its technology for agricultural use. Similarly, Tata Trusts aligned its digital initiatives with the Government of India’s Digital India programme, providing early-stage funding and ecosystem support to Haqdarshak, a platform improving access to government welfare schemes.
“For these Asian philanthropists deploying capital to support early-stage innovation, we observe how trust in the capabilities of the people behind the ideas is critical to managing these risks,” says Dr. Ruth Shapiro, Co-Founder and CEO of CAPS. “And we see the importance of aligning with government as key to legitimacy and scale. The same strategies to manage risk are being leveraged to maximise impact for the community.”
“The report highlights what makes early philanthropic capital unique,” said Shaun Seow, CEO of PAA. “Taking an early position absorbs the risk of an untested solution and builds the evidence and regulatory confidence that later investment requires. PAA’s role is to help connect funders across the region so those early commitments compound rather than sit in isolation.”
Research methodology
The findings are based on a region-wide scan of social enterprises, programmes, and initiatives centred on novel or unproven solutions. Ten cases were selected through a targeted assessment identifying high-potential pathways for philanthropic risk capital across climate, health, and inclusive development. The research was conducted between October 2025 and January 2026, through 37 in-depth interviews and a review of academic and non-academic literature.
The cases examined include Agros, BillionBricks, Equatic, Haqdarshak, Inspro, Seven Clean Seas, Urban Spring, Wadhwani AI, Wateroam, and the World Mosquito Programme in Yogyakarta.
Download the full report: https://p-aa.org/PhilanthropyAsRiskCapitalReport (Live on 18 May)
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA)
Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) is a Temasek Trust initiative dedicated to catalysing collaborative philanthropy in Asia through dynamic multi-sector partnerships. By harnessing collective strengths, PAA multiplies impact, accelerates positive change, and takes urgent action to address the pressing environmental and social challenges of our time. PAA’s flagship programme is the annual Philanthropy Asia Summit. For more information, visit http://philanthropyasiaalliance.org
About the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS)
Established in 2013 and working across more than 17 economies in Asia, the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quantity and quality of philanthropic and private giving throughout Asia. Our mission is to maximize private capital for public good, conducting research, advisory, convening and capacity building to engage philanthropists, foundations, family offices, corporates, government bodies, social sector organizations and experts on best practices, models, policies and strategies to facilitate private giving and social investment in the region. For more information, visit www.caps.org and 
LinkedIn.
Media OutReach
RAM hosts Hong Kong investor briefing as New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa attracts growing global interest
The event comes amid renewed momentum for New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa, following changes introduced in April 2025 to simplify the program and attract more international capital into the New Zealand economy. As of 5 May 2026, Immigration New Zealand had received 688 applications under the new settings, representing a potential total minimum investment of $4.015 billion.
The growing demand reflects a broader shift in global wealth movement, as high-net-worth individuals increasingly seek jurisdictions that offer political stability, transparent governance, quality of life and long-term optionality for their families and capital. For many investors, New Zealand’s appeal lies not only in residency access, but also in the opportunity to participate in investments that support business growth, innovation and economic resilience.
Mr Scott Wehl, Founder of RAM Group and Director of RAM New Zealand, said the Hong Kong briefing provided an important forum for partners and investors to better understand the investment and migration opportunities available through the AIP programme.
“New Zealand continues to attract strong interest from global investors seeking stability, transparency and long-term opportunity,” said Mr Wehl.
“Our Hong Kong briefing was designed to help partners and investors better understand the opportunities that the AIP program offers, and how RAM’s income-focused strategies can support both investor objectives and the broader New Zealand economy.”
Supporting New Zealand’s real economy through private credit
A key focus of the briefing was the role private credit can play in supporting New Zealand’s real economy. Private credit can help broaden the country’s business funding ecosystem by providing an additional source of secured, non-bank capital for businesses seeking funding for growth, working capital, expansion or other productive business needs.
The RAM New Zealand Credit Fund is an approved managed fund under the AIP Growth category and may also be included as part of a Balanced category investment portfolio. The Fund is designed to provide investors with consistent income and capital stability through exposure to secured, asset-backed credit investments in New Zealand.
Through this strategy, RAM seeks to direct offshore investor capital into productive domestic investment while maintaining a disciplined focus on risk management, downside protection and portfolio diversification.
“The RAM New Zealand Credit Fund provides an AIP-aligned investment pathway focused on secured, asset-backed New Zealand credit,” said Mr Wehl.
“For investors, the Fund is designed to deliver regular income and capital stability, with liquidity aligned to AIP investment timeframes. For New Zealand, the strategy can support the real economy by directing offshore investor capital into domestic private credit and helping provide secured lending to New Zealand businesses.”
RAM’s credit approach is centred on disciplined credit selection and robust portfolio construction. The firm’s New Zealand credit capability is supported by a highly experienced team with more than 200 years of combined credit market experience, guided by leading credit experts and senior leaders with deep knowledge of New Zealand’s financial markets.
“Our approach is grounded in strong governance, prudent credit assessment and a clear focus on capital preservation, which is particularly important for investors seeking stable, income-focused outcomes across market cycles,” said Mr Wehl.
In addition to the RAM New Zealand Credit Fund, RAM also offers the RAM New Zealand Bond Fund, which may be included as part of a Balanced category investment portfolio. The Fund invests in a portfolio of floating-rate, investment-grade bonds issued by established banks and New Zealand entities, and is designed to prioritise capital stability while generating regular income.
With a long-term commitment to New Zealand, RAM will continue to leverage its international presence, investment capability and experience in income-focused strategies to support global investors and contribute to the continued development and diversification of New Zealand’s capital markets.
Hashtag: #RAM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Real Asset Management
Real Asset Management (RAM) is an alternative asset manager, providing investment solutions in Credit, Real Estate, and Private Equity markets, for institutions and wealthy families globally. RAM was founded in 2010 and has a pan-Asia presence of 7 offices in Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manila.
RAM provides more than 25 investment strategies and has a team of over 230 finance professionals managing over NZ$9.8bn in assets. RAM is registered as a financial services provider in New Zealand (FSP1011247). We also provide a global set of investment solutions through our group companies licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (AFSL 484263), and the Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong (CE BGL803).
For more information about RAM New Zealand, please visit 
https://ramgroup.co.nz/
Media OutReach
Amplexd Therapeutics Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Investigational EGCg-Based HPV Therapy
High-risk HPV is the primary driver of cervical cancer, which remains a significant public health burden, particularly across the Asia-Pacific region. High-risk HPV prevalence amongst Chinese women is estimated at 12.8%[1] with China representing 23% of cervical cancer cases globally[2].
The randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study is being conducted at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in collaboration with Prince of Wales Hospital, with recruitment currently underway. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Amplexd’s investigational therapy in women diagnosed with ASC-US and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) alongside confirmed hr-HPV infection. Clinical data are expected in Q1 2027.
Amplexd’s investigational therapy is a proprietary, shelf-stable vaginal suppository formulation containing epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), a bioactive compound derived from green tea, designed for localized self-administration at the site of disease.
“Currently, there is a significant unmet medical need for localized, non-surgical therapies specifically indicated for low-grade lesions associated with high-risk HPV. The standard of care is largely limited to increased surveillance and ‘watchful waiting,’ which can impose both psychosocial and financial burdens on patients,” said Alia Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Amplexd. “Moreover, in many resource-constrained settings including large swaths of Asia-Pacific, access to surgical intervention and specialized follow-up care is limited. Previously published, peer-reviewed clinical and preclinical studies have explored the use of EGCg-based topical formulations in the treatment of HPV and cervical lesions. Building on this body of research, we developed a shelf-stable formulation designed for self-administration and early therapeutic intervention.”
The Phase 2 trial will evaluate endpoints including lesion regression, viral clearance, and overall safety profile, with the goal of generating data on the potential for early therapeutic intervention in hr-HPV-associated disease.
Additional information about the study can be found at www.drugoffice.gov.hk under trial identifier eCTS-2026-021 and at www.clinicaltrials.gov under trial identifier NCT07572396.
Important Information
This clinical trial has been authorized by the Hong Kong Department of Health. Participation will be subject to eligibility criteria and informed consent. This investigational therapy has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and its safety and efficacy have not been established.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding clinical development plans and potential benefits of the investigational therapy. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Amplexd Therapeutics, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by law.
Cervical Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends in China: The Role of Screening,
Cancer Letters, Volume 642 (2026) 218286, ISSN 0304-3835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2026.218286.
Hashtag: #AmplexdTherapeutics #hrHPV #HPVtherapy #HPV #cervicaldysplasia #LSIL #ASCUS #Phase2clinicaltrial #womenshealth #EGCg #cervicalcancer #investigationaltherapy #clinicaltrial
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Amplexd Therapeutics, Inc.
Amplexd Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company pioneering science-driven therapies for women’s health and related diseases with high unmet need. Its pipeline leverages novel mechanisms and accessible delivery modalities to expand treatment options for patients.
Media OutReach
The 2026 VinFuture Prize Receives More Than 1,800 Nominations as Its Global Nomination Network Expands Fourteenfold After Six Years
At the close of the nomination period for the 2026 season, the VinFuture Prize, a global science and technology prize recorded 1,819 nominations from around the world, supported by a network of more than 17,000 nominators spanning 117 countries and territories.
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 May 2026 – After six seasons, the VinFuture Prize has not only expanded its influence in the international scientific community, but has also affirmed its position as a prestigious global prize dedicated to identifying and honoring breakthroughs with profound significance for the future of humanity.
A Global Network Bringing Together More Than 17,000 Outstanding Minds
This year’s VinFuture nominations span a wide range of critical fields, including medicine and healthcare (38.4%), environmental and earth sciences (17%), energy, transportation, and construction (15%), food and agriculture (10.6%), as well as other scientific and technological disciplines (19%).
At the same time, the official nominator network of the VinFuture Prize has continued to expand substantially, reaching 17,154 nominators from 117 countries and territories across all five continents. This represents an increase of approximately 16% compared with the 2025 season and a more than fourteenfold expansion compared with the inaugural season in 2021. Moreover, the number of countries and territories represented within the nominator network has nearly doubled over the past six years.
Notably, 1,415 nominators for the 2026 VinFuture Prize are ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited researchers. Nearly 8,000 experts are affiliated with leading universities, research institutes, and scientific organizations worldwide, including Australian Academy of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (United States), Stanford University (United States), Harvard University (United States), University of California, Berkeley (United States), University of Oxford (United Kingdom), National University of Singapore (Singapore), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), and Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), among others.
Participating on a voluntary basis, these nominators play a vital role in identifying and recommending outstanding scientific innovations capable of generating meaningful and lasting improvements to the lives of billions of people worldwide. They also contribute significantly to extending the global reach of the VinFuture Prize within the international scientific community and promoting cross-border academic connections. Several distinguished nominators have traveled to Vietnam during the 2024 and 2025 VinFuture Sci-Tech Weeks to connect and exchange knowledge directly with the Vietnamese scientific community.
“The continued growth in both the number of nominations and our network of more than 17,000 nominators reflects the increasing confidence that leading scientists and prestigious institutions around the world place in VinFuture Prize and its mission to identify and honor scientific and technological innovations with meaningful impact on humanity. This momentum also reinforces our commitment to upholding rigorous and transparent evaluation standards, while advancing a long-term vision of connecting global intellect in pursuit of a better future for all,” said Dr. Thai-Ha Le, Managing Director of the VinFuture Foundation.
Following the conclusion of the nomination period, the Pre-Screening Committee will begin the process of evaluating and selecting the most outstanding scientific works for consideration by the VinFuture Prize Council in the final judging round, which is expected to continue through early September 2026. All nominations will undergo a rigorous multi-layer evaluation process based on stringent international standards to ensure the highest levels of scientific integrity, fairness, and transparency.
The core evaluation criteria include the degree of scientific and technological advancement, the potential for meaningful impact on human life, as well as the scale and long-term sustainability of the proposed innovations.
Vietnam’s Growing Imprint on the Global Innovation Map
After six seasons, the VinFuture Prize has firmly established its reputation and standing within the global science and technology landscape. Several VinFuture Laureates have subsequently been honored by some of the world’s most prestigious scientific awards, including the Nobel Prize, the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, and the Breakthrough Prize, demonstrating VinFuture’s ability to recognize, at an early stage, innovations with foundational significance for the future of humanity.
Notable examples include Prof. Omar Yaghi (2021 VinFuture Special Prize; 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Dr. Katalin Karikó and Prof. Drew Weissman (2021 VinFuture Grand Prize; 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine); Drs. Demis Hassabis and John Jumper (2022 VinFuture Special Prize; 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Prof. Geoffrey Hinton (2024 VinFuture Grand Prize; 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics); as well as Prof. Yoshua Bengio, Prof. Yann LeCun, Prof. Geoffrey Hinton, Mr. Jensen Huang, and Prof. Fei-Fei Li (2024 VinFuture Grand Prize; 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering). Additional examples include Prof. Daniel Drucker, Prof. Joel Habener, Prof. Jens Juul Holst, and Assoc. Prof. Svetlana Mojsov (2023 VinFuture Special Prize), who later received the 2025 Breakthrough Prize.
Beyond recognizing transformative scientific achievements, VinFuture has become a point of convergence for knowledge, collaboration, and the aspiration to serve humanity. Over the course of six seasons, VinFuture has contributed to shaping a more open, connected, and inspiring scientific ecosystem, while positioning Vietnam as an increasingly important destination on the global innovation map.
Hashtag: #VinFuture
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn