Four Indian organizations have been selected among 14 Asian Pacific recipients to receive grants under the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0. Google-backed fund selects 4 Indian firms for AI-driven climate solutions, aiming to address critical environmental challenges in the Asia Pacific region. This initiative is supported by a $5 million grant from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the technology giant Google. The fund is managed by the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) and aims to promote technology-driven and AI-based solutions to address critical environmental and social challenges.
Indian Recipients of the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0
The Indian organizations that received the grants are INREM Foundation, CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), Institute for Financial Management and Research (WELL Labs), and Gujarat Mahila Housing Sewa Trust (MHT).
As the Google-backed fund selects 4 Indian firms for AI-driven climate solutions, these organizations will receive grants to develop innovative sustainability technologies. Each organization will utilize these funds to develop innovative solutions to tackle various environmental issues.
- INREM Foundation plans to develop AI-enabled digital solutions that provide communities with access to water contamination data.
- CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) aims to use machine learning and satellite imagery to protect lakes and enhance their function as carbon sinks.
- WELL Labs will work on advanced models that provide village-level insights for water security.
- Gujarat Mahila Housing Sewa Trust (MHT) intends to create an AI-powered model to identify urban heat islands and propose community-focused solutions.
Background of the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund
This initiative builds on the success of the first round of the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund, which received a $3 million grant from Google.org. The first phase of the fund supported projects in India that collectively saved over 13 million tonnes of water and reduced 3,700 tonnes of carbon emissions in the agriculture sector.
The APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0, with its $5 million in funding, aims to support innovative, technology-led solutions that address the most pressing climate and sustainability challenges in the Asia Pacific region. It focuses on challenges such as rising sea levels, environmental degradation, and resource depletion.
Support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank
The initiative is supported by Google.org, which provided the $5 million grant, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which serves as a strategic and outreach partner. Together, they aim to provide essential support to non-profit organizations that are leading efforts in sustainable innovation and climate action.
As the Google-backed fund selects 4 Indian firms for AI-driven climate solutions, these organizations will receive grants to develop innovative sustainability technologies.
AVPN, Asia’s largest network of social investors, announced the selection of the 18 non-profit organizations receiving grants from the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0 during an online webinar titled “Innovators in Action: Announcing the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0 Grantees” on August 29, 2024. Andrew Ure, Managing Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Southeast Asia at Google, made the announcement. Stephanie King-Chung Hung, Director General for the Information Technology Department (ITD) at ADB, also participated in the webinar and delivered the opening remarks.
Impact Areas and Support for Grantees
The APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0 supports non-profit organizations that use technology to tackle climate adaptation and mitigation. Selected grantees will receive comprehensive support, including grants, networking opportunities, and capacity building to enhance their impact.
The fund targets various impact areas, such as renewable energy and decarbonization, climate adaptation, waste management and circular economy, air quality improvement, water preservation, and biodiversity protection. The goal is to foster solutions that harness technology for positive, sustainable outcomes across the Asia Pacific region.
To be eligible for future rounds of funding, organizations must be registered non-profits operating within the Asia Pacific region, demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainability and innovation, and have a technology-led solution that addresses climate adaptation or mitigation challenges.
