Accelerator Opportunity: ASEAN Sparks ‘Catalyse’ Calls on Startups to Lead Climate Innovation Across Southeast Asia
Applications are now open for ASEAN Sparks: Catalyse, the second phase of a regional accelerator programme designed to empower startups in clean energy, renewable energy, and climate technology across Southeast Asia. Organized by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Catalyse aims to build momentum toward a sustainable energy ecosystem.
Startups working on breakthrough solutions in energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean tech, and climate resilience are invited to apply before 20 July 2025.
From Ignite to Catalyse: Fueling Southeast Asia’s Energy Innovators
Following the success of ASEAN Sparks: Ignite, which helped 40 early-stage startups establish foundational strategies and validate energy solutions, Catalyse offers a more advanced accelerator track tailored to support later-stage startups (pre-seed to pre-Series A) in scaling their impact.
“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. Catalyse is designed to address these gaps between the startups and the support from the whole energy ecosystem stakeholders,” said Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Acting Manager of Energy Efficiency and Conservation at ACE.
What Startups Gain
Selected startups will join a curated three-month accelerator experience from August to October 2025, featuring:
- Extensive workshops covering topics like business strategy, market expansion, intellectual property (IP) protection, and social impact.
- Tailored mentorship to address each startup’s unique growth challenges.
- A spotlight at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2025, where 20 top startups will pitch their innovations to an elite audience of investors, energy leaders, and policymakers.
This high-level exposure at AEBF 2025 presents a rare opportunity to showcase regional impact and unlock new market pathways.
Why ASEAN Sparks Matters
The ASEAN startup ecosystem is brimming with potential, especially in sectors tied to sustainability, green growth, and digital transformation. Catalyse not only supports startup development, but also aims to strengthen local stakeholder capacity and catalyze regional collaboration in clean tech.
If you’re building solutions that can decarbonize Southeast Asia, enable inclusive energy access, or accelerate net-zero transitions, Catalyse is the platform to amplify your mission.
The call is open until 20 July 2025. Startups from across ASEAN with scalable, high-impact energy or climate solutions are encouraged to apply. Visit go.aseanenergy.org/ApplySPARKS for more details and reserve your spot in the programme.
