Mayani, a Filipino company established five years ago with the goal of empowering Filipino farmers and fisherfolk through technology, will participate in the Amplifier mentorship program unveiled at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2024 in Singapore.
Joining Circ from the United States, GRST from Hong Kong, and MYCL and Sampangan from Indonesia, Mayani is set to receive funding of up to 250,000 Singaporean dollars (equivalent to P10.5 million), facilitated by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth as the Impact Innovation Partner. Additionally, they will benefit from the expertise and mentorship of over 30 global and regional industry leaders.
These five startups, including Mayani, were chosen as the inaugural cohort of “impact startups” out of 139 submissions from 35 countries. Selection criteria focused on impact potential, business feasibility, and alignment with the program’s objectives.
Launched and managed by the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) and Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) within the Temasek Trust ecosystem, the Amplifier program enjoys support from over 30 industry partners spanning various sectors.
CEO of CIIP, Dawn Chan, highlights the challenges faced by startups in navigating the transition from seed funding to sustainable growth, emphasizing the need for expert guidance and financial backing beyond the initial stages.
The Amplifier’s 12-month capacity-building program aims to empower impact startups to achieve commercial viability and scale their positive influence across Asia. Taking a holistic approach, the program leverages expertise, mentorship, and resources from diverse industries and sectors to support the growth of impact ventures.
With a thematic focus on “Climate and Nature” in 2024, the Amplifier program targets solutions in sustainable agriculture, circular business models, waste management, sustainable materials, and emissions reduction.
JT Solis, Mayani’s co-founder and CEO, expresses gratitude for the support from Amplifier, emphasizing the critical role it plays as Mayani addresses challenges in the agri-fisheries sector. He highlights the importance of multifaceted solutions that drive financial returns and positive impact simultaneously.
Solis outlines Mayani’s plans to utilize the funding to expand its network of smallholder farmers and fisherfolk, aiming to reach one million individuals across 12 regions. This expansion involves activating supply chain operations, building market bases, and providing climate-positive agricultural inputs and rural credit.
Mentors from ABC Impact, 500Global, and Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia, among others, will guide Mayani through the Amplifier program. Their support will be instrumental in achieving the company’s goals and driving transformative change in the agri-fisheries sector.
Lim Seok Hui, CEO of PAA, acknowledges the collaborative effort of partners in supporting the Amplifier program, emphasizing the potential for transformative change in addressing urgent climate action.
The Amplifier program invites additional partners to join in supporting impact startups through funding, mentorship, and in-kind resources, fostering a collaborative approach towards scalable solutions and transformative change.
