Singapore, 18 August 2026 – The SEA-MaP Regional Platform for Innovation and Investments (IIP) convened a Pitch Event in Singapore, bringing together ASEAN circular economy start-ups, investors, corporates, and innovation ecosystem actors to explore investment, partnership and pilot opportunities for solutions addressing plastic pollution across the region.

Plastic pollution remains a pressing environmental and economic challenge across Southeast Asia, while the region continues to produce a growing pipeline of innovative start-ups developing solutions in circular business models. Although the innovation ecosystem continues to mature, many ventures still face significant challenges in securing investment, establishing strategic partnerships, and accessing opportunities to pilot and scale their technologies. Moving these solutions beyond early-stage development often requires access to finance, technical expertise, corporate partnerships and opportunities to test solutions in real-world settings.

This Pitch event created another opportunity for high-potential start-ups supported through Cohorts II and III of the IIP Accelerator Programme to engage directly with investors, corporates and other ecosystem stakeholders. Participating ventures presented their solutions and discussed opportunities for commercial development.

The program opened with welcome and opening remarks delivered by (i) Mr. Alexander Lim, Deputy Director, National Environment Agency of Singapore (NEA), in his capacity as representative of the Host Country Singapore, (ii) Atty. Felix S. Alicer, Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines, in his capacity as AWGCME Chair and Co-Chair of the SEA-MaP PSC, (iii) and Ms. Kristina Svensson, Regional Hub Manager of the World Bank Singapore Hub. The remarks highlighted that scalable business models, new innovative technologies, and investments are key to supporting the ASEAN region’s efforts in addressing marine plastic pollution and transitioning towards a circular economy. In this regard, they encouraged industry players, including innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers, and development partners to continue collaborating and forging new networks, and that the event should be seen as an opportunity to establish long-term partnerships beyond the IIP and the Accelerator Program.

The pitching session featured a series of presentations from participating start-ups, the challenge being addressed, and the value of the collaboration. The presentations were followed by interactive discussions, allowing panel commentators to engage directly with the ventures on topics including commercialization strategies, investment readiness, pilot opportunities, and regional expansion. The event also marked the completion of the participating Cohort III start-ups, recognizing their successful completion of the IIP Accelerator.

The event concluded with a networking session, enabling further exchanges among investors, corporates, AMS representatives, and innovation ecosystem partners. These conversations provided an opportunity to explore potential collaborations, investment opportunities, and pilot projects beyond the formal pitching session.

The Pitch Event demonstrated the value of connecting innovators directly with the wider investment and business ecosystem to support the plastic circularity solutions. By bringing together start-ups, investors, corporates and other ecosystem actors, the event highlighted the importance of strengthening these connections and creating pathways for ASEAN start-ups to develop promising solutions into scalable businesses.

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