UOB FinLab

UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator

Featured Image For Uob The Finlab Launches The Greentech Accelerator

UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator

A global programme with total funding of up to $150,000 to support the growth of greentech startups and SMEs globally.

Singapore, 5 May 2022 – UOB The FinLab today unveiled The Greentech Accelerator, a new, global programme aimed at supporting innovative greentech solution providers regionally and globally to drive their company’s sustainable mission forward. As part of the first cohort, the programme will focus on greentech solutions including energy efficiency; zero-waste supply chain; carbon management and reporting.

To help these greentech startups and SMEs grow and expand their business, the three month-long programme will include:

  • Total funding of up to SGD150,000 to tackle real-world challenge statements
  • Valuable insights through educational ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and business masterclasses, talks and webinars
  • Mentorship and peer-to-peer learning facilitated by UOB, the industry and institutes of higher learning and,
  • A strong network of partnerships to build an ecosystem of industry leader.

Shannon Lung, Head of The FinLab, said “According to the 2022 UOB SME Outlook Study, 45 per cent of SMEs surveyed believe having a sustainable core will benefit their business with multinational companies that are now working towards their own sustainability goals. However, many small businesses have raised concerns about a lack of knowledge and limited resources. The Greentech Accelerator aims to respond to this challenge by mentoring innovative greentech solutions from around the world to offer relevant, deployable and cutting-edge solutions to meet the ESG needs of SMEs and businesses locally and overseas.”

Eric Lim, Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB, said, “The Greentech Accelerator programme is testament to UOB’s long-term commitment to forging a sustainable future with our customers and helping SMEs advance responsibly. As expectations from regulators, investors and consumers of businesses’ ESG practices and performance continue to increase, innovative greentech solutions, in-depth insights and access to funding will be key to SMEs’ sustainability journey.”

Dr Darian McBain, Chief Sustainability Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore, said “The Greentech Accelerator showcases UOB’s commitment to driving real world sustainability solutions and aligns closely with MAS’ vision to harness the power of technology and finance to drive a just and sustainable transition to a low carbon economy. We look forward to collaborating with UOB on this initiative under the ambit of Project Greenprint, and foresee the Greentech Accelerator’s solutions empowering firms and SMEs on their sustainability journeys.”

What participants can expect from The Greentech Accelerator

The Greentech Accelerator builds upon The FinLab’s Sustainability Innovation Programme (SIP) which launched last year and matched over 80 SMEs to tech solutions and partners, offering them the opportunity to transform their sustainability efforts. The Greentech Accelerator will fast-track the development of sustainable technology solutions through providing access to masterclasses, industry networks and world-class mentors. The programme will help solution-providers tackle real-world pain points from SIP participants and other SMEs to co-create solutions for partnerships and pilot projects, helping them kickstart their journey to a more sustainable business model.

Who is eligible to apply to The Greentech Accelerator

The Greentech Accelerator is open to all innovative greentech startups and SMEs with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of six and above, focusing on the themes of energy efficiency, zero-waste supply chain, carbon management and reporting.

 

The first Greentech Accelerator programme will accept ten companies for its pioneer cohort, with the goal of commercialising their solutions in order to help SMEs adopt green practices and technology. Applications are open from 5 May 2022 to 12 July 2022. Interested participants can register online at https://thefinlab.com/gta-sign-up/.

TRLs are a measurement method for assessing the maturity of a particular technology, developed by NASA. A TRL of six refers to a technology with a fully functional prototype or representational model.

UOB The FinLab Launches The Greentech Accelerator

Featured Image For Uob The Finlab Launches The Greentech Accelerator

Melvin Gan

Senior Lecturer, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Melvin Gan is a senior lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Business and Accountancy, where he specialises in sustainability in business management, ESG reporting, digital marketing, consumer insights, and human-centered design thinking. A founding member of the Sustainability Module Team, he has been instrumental in developing specialised curricula such as Corporate Governance and Reporting for Sustainable Business and has contributed to the growth of the Business Sustainability and Digitalisation specialisation.

Joyce Goh

Consultant & Trainer, CSO Centre

  • Singapore Institute of Banking & Finance (IBF) accredited trainer.
  • Ngee Ann Polytechnic associate lecturer.
  • Featured in a book on carbon trading (碳交易的28堂课) published by Taiwan Central News Agency in 2024.

Joyce was former Commercial Director at Climate Impact Exchange (CIX), a global carbon solutions provider established by Temasek Holdings, Singapore Exchange, DBS Bank & Standard Chartered in Singapore. She was hired as part of the founding team and represented CIX in multiple public forums on decarbonisation, market development and green finance.

Joyce has close to 20 years of experience in the financial industry. She has helmed leadership roles at Singapore Exchange, Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse across various business and operation units. At CIX, she worked with C-Suites, NGOs and financiers on decarbonisation solutions, global carbon market development, as well as alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for long term impact and business resilience.

Lance Ng

Consultant & Trainer, CSO Centre

  • Singapore Institute of Banking & Finance (IBF) accredited trainer.
  • Ngee Ann Polytechnic associate lecturer.
  • Founder of CSO Centre.

Lance is an FSA Credential Holder and GRI Certified Sustainability Professional. Throughout his corporate career, he has worked at JPMorgan, Citibank and Singapore Exchange. As a marketing and corporate communications consultant, his clients have included DBS, Singtel, UOB, Bank of Singapore as well as many other government organisations, SMEs and startups.

He currently specializes in helping corporates with ESG and sustainability reporting as a trainer and consultant. His courses have been taken by individuals and companies from all over the world and accredited by the Institute of Banking & Finance (Singapore). He is also an associate lecturer with Ngee Ann Polytechnic for various sustainability-related courses.

Online programme

Start Smart Programme

Designed for business owners to enhance their digital capabilities through practical learning, this programme takes businesses to the next level.

Online programme

Start Smart Programme

Designed for business owners to enhance their digital capabilities through practical learning, this programme takes businesses to the next level.

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