On 5 August 2025, the ASEAN Sparks programme officially entered its second phase, Catalyse, following the onboarding of participating startups on 1 August 2025. ASEAN Sparks, an initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of clean energy and climate technology startups, is supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE). In collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and strategic partners Innovation Factory (IF) and BLOCK71 Indonesia, through this initiative, ACE contributes to ASEAN’s energy transition and climate action goals. 

Photo 1. Catalyse Opening Participants 

The Catalyse phase welcomed 30 startups—10 advancing from the Ignite phase, and 20 newly joining teams—with 41% of the participating cohort being women. The opening session, attended by 58% women and 43% men, began with remarks from Zulkiflee Umar, Deputy Director of Energy Efficiency & Conservation at the Energy Commission of Malaysia and Chair of the Project Steering Committee. He highlighted that the initiative embodies ASEAN’s shared commitment to accelerating clean energy and climate technology innovation, while fostering an ecosystem where transformative ideas can flourish. He also stressed the vital role of MSMEs as the backbone of ASEAN’s economies and as key drivers of innovation, despite persistent challenges in accessing finance, technology, and knowledge. The strong representation of women-led businesses, he noted, reflects a firm commitment to inclusive and equitable growth. 

Photo 2. Opening Remarks by Zulkiflee Umar, Deputy Director of Energy Efficiency & Conservation at the Energy Commission of Malaysia and Chair of the Project Steering Committee

Saito Mizuki, First Secretary of the Japan Mission to ASEAN and Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee, reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation within ASEAN and beyond, especially in a time of evolving global policy. She encouraged the startups to take full advantage of this exceptional opportunity to accelerate their solutions, expand their networks, and strengthen their role in advancing the region’s clean energy and climate goals. 

Photo 3. Opening Remarks by Saito Mizuki, First Secretary of the Japan Mission to ASEAN and Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee

Irma Ramadan, Senior Officer of the Department of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (CEE) at ACE, underlined that the project is closely aligned with the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2016–2025, particularly the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Programme Area under Outcome-Based Strategy 2. She explained that this strategy prioritises greater participation from the private sector and financial institutions in promoting energy efficiency, while also contributing to the Renewable Energy and Regional Energy Policy and Planning programme areas. 

Photo 4. Opening Remarks by Irma Ramadan,  Senior Officer of the Department of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (CEE) at ACE.

The session was followed by a presentation from Dilla Ibtida from Innovation Factory, who outlined the ASEAN Sparks Catalyse phase schedule. She then introduced the mentors for the interactive workshops and their respective topics. Fajar Sastrowijoyo, Co-founder and CEO of Syntek Otomasi Indonesia, delivered the Business Strategy & Validation session. Fathom Saulina, Director of SAKA Total Energy Management, will lead Market Expansion & Entry workshop, followed by Rebecca Chai, Venture Associate at Plug and Play Japan, on Funding & Investment. Architrandi Priambodo, Senior Energy Specialist at Asian Development Bank, will focus on Partnerships & Governance, while Dr. Renard Siew Yung Jhien, Group Head of Corporate Sustainability & Impact. Dr. Ahmad Zulfikri Taning, a Patent Engineer, will address Intellectual Property & Strategy, and Mada Ayu Habsari, Chairwoman of the Asosiasi Energi Surya Indonesia will conduct the session on Pitching & Communication. These mentors will share their expertise and experience with the startups through a series of 7 workshops, running from 5 August 2025 until 8 September 2025.  

Photo 5. Workshop Speakers Introduction by Dilla Ibtida of Innovation Factory.

Mentors for the online group mentorship sessions were also introduced. Structured as one mentor to three startups, the lineup included Thu Minh Tran from SNV Netherlands Development Organisation; Innandya Kusumawardhani, Co-founder and COO of CarbonEthics; Phuong Le, Programme Manager at the Business Startup Support Center; Andre Stoiz, Co-founder and Managing Director of Budding Innovation; Alex Hong, Director of Aeir; Quan Vu Bach, Assistant Researcher at the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute; Gerald Foo, Venture Builder and Climate-Tech Advisor; Shana Fatina, Founder and CEO of Komodo Water; Vinutha Raju, Vice President of GoMassive Earth Network; and Dr. Malistya Citraningrum, Programme Manager for Sustainable Energy Access at IIESR. Over the course of Catalyse, these mentors will guide startups through three dedicated online mentorship sessions, each centred on a specific theme: Problem-Solution Fit, Pulse Check & Progress Review, and Pitching & Matchmaking Preparation. 

Photo 6. Group Mentors Introduction by Dilla Ibtida of Innovation Factory.

We invited a diverse panel of judges from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and partner organisations to assess the startups in the Catalyse phase. The panel comprised Tran Hoai Phuong, Investment Principal at Wavemaker Partners Ventures; Thao Tran, Country Manager at New Energy Nexus; Dr. Marco Kamiya, UNIDO Representative for the Sub-Regional Office covering Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor Leste; Ho Yuen Ping, Senior Associate Director at TS2 – Technology for Sustainable Social Impact; Masuo Kuremura from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); Rizaudin Ismail, Senior Assistant Director at the Energy Commission of Malaysia; and Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Energy Modeling and Policy Planning (MPP) at ACE. 

Photo 6. Judges Introduction by Dilla Ibtida of Innovation Factory.

The day concluded with the first mentoring session, led by Fajar Sastrowijoyo, Co-founder and CEO of Syntek Otomasi Indonesia. In his Business Strategy & Validation workshop, he discussed ASEAN’s green energy transition and its emerging market opportunities, strategies for navigating the region’s regulatory and policy landscape, and approaches to understanding competitive dynamics and achieving strategic positioning in Southeast Asia. 

Photo 7. Business Strategy & Validation by Fajar Sastrowijoyo, Co-founder and CEO of Syntek Otomasi Indonesia.

With the launch of the second phase of the ASEAN Sparks Programme, participating start-ups are set to embark on an intensive journey of mentorship and workshop sessions. Over the next three months, they will refine their business models, enhance market readiness, and forge strategic connections that can transform their innovations into tangible, scalable solutions for ASEAN’s clean energy transition. With a strong network of mentors, judges, and partners behind them, the Catalyse phase sets the stage for these entrepreneurs to make a lasting impact on the region’s sustainable energy future.