Co-Axis, a digital impact marketplace with about 100 impact projects from over 40 countries, participated in a pitching and fundraising masterclass for the 15 Earthshot Prize finalists from six continents during the Fellowship Retreat. The finalists participated in workshops on leadership, growth, and storytelling to accelerate their impact ahead of Earthshot Week.
Ms. Joycelyn Ong, Head of Co-Axis, taking questions during the Earthshot Prize Fellowship Retreat.
Ms. Joycelyn Ong, Head of Co-Axis, mentored the 15 finalists and spoke on how companies can benefit from catalytic capital. She cited the example of Temasek Trust's Catalytic Capital for Climate & Health (C3H) investing in Notpla, a leader in sustainable packaging and 2022 TEP winner.
She also spoke on how Co-Axis unlocks funding across the spectrum of capital to accelerate impact via partnerships with companies like Arta Finance.
Ms. Joycelyn Ong, Head of Co-Axis, during the small group session with the founders of Build Up Nepal, Coast 4C, and Keep IT Cool.
During the smaller group sessions, she advised TEP 2024 finalists Coast 4C, Keep IT Cool, and Build Up Nepal on how to better pitch to philanthropists and venture capitalists. She emphasised the importance of building trust and presenting financial metrics when fundraising. Thereafter, she participated in a surprise pitch session where TEP finalists put into practice all that they had learned during their Fellowship Retreat.
On 4 November, Joycelyn was a panellist at the Earthshot Prize Global Alliance Forum. She was joined by Ms. Smruti Naik-Jones, Chief Sustainability Officer of Deloitte and Ms. Narassa Govender, CSI Director of Ninety One. The panel was moderated by Ms. Anuradha Bajaj, Chief Innovative Finance and Investment Officer of The Earthshot Prize (TEP).
(From left) Ms. Anuradha Bajaj, Chief Innovative Finance and Investment Officer of The Earthshot Prize (TEP), Ms. Smruti Naik-Jones, Chief Sustainability Officer of Deloitte, Ms. Narassa Govender, CSI Director of Ninety One, and Ms. Joycelyn Ong, Head of Co-Axis, at the Global Alliance Forum during Earthshot Week. Image courtesy of TEP.
During the engaging exchange, the panellists discussed how platforms like TEP’s Launchpad and Co-Axis can help to unlock catalytic capital for groundbreaking solutions to accelerate their impact. Beyond providing funding, companies can also support innovators by offering mentorship or sharing their networks with them. An ecosystem approach and multi-sector partnerships are vital for a sustainable future.
"We are building communities and work closely with our community partners such as the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices on knowledge building and impact measurement. We aim to grow, catalyse, and exponentially unlock funding alongside valued partners like Launchpad."
— Ms. Joycelyn Ong, Head of Co-Axis
Joycelyn also shared how the Temasek Trust ecosystem, including Co-Axis, has supported TEP winners and finalists through initiatives such as the Amplifier by the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance. GRST, a 2023 TEP winner, Circ®, a 2023 TEP finalist, and MYCL, a 2024 TEP finalist, are Amplifier mentees.
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