Establishment of “Breakthrough Energy Fellows” to Accelerate Climate Technology Innovation

Breakthrough Energy Fellows are expected to accelerate the development of climate tech in this region / Unsplash

Breakthrough Energy, the climate organization founded by Bill Gates; Temasek, a global investment company based in Singapore; and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), the government body that drives corporate growth, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the “Breakthrough Energy Fellows – Southeast Asia”. The program is a three-year joint initiative aimed at accelerating the development of early-stage climate technology solutions in the region.

Announced at Ecosperity Week 2024, BE Fellows – Southeast Asia will be the first regional hub in BE's global Fellows program. This program aims to overcome barriers to early-stage climate technology innovation in Southeast Asia and accelerate the development of climate technologies that have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gases, as well as contribute to the global net-zero target.

This collaboration will leverage the climate technology platform that has been built by Breakthrough Energy, Temasek's leadership and network as a global investor, as well as Enterprise Singapore's commitment to encouraging the development of startups and high-tech start-ups in Singapore and the region. The combined strengths and capabilities of the three partners will create strategic and innovative programs that can help address the innovation gap in climate technology development in Southeast Asia.

BE Fellows – Southeast Asia will provide funding and support to researchers, scientists, engineers and technology innovators in the region to take their climate solutions to the next stage of development and commercialization. Through this program, each Fellow will receive initial funding of USD 500.000 for further development and risk reduction of the technology. They will also gain access to a global network of industry partners, mentors, investors and experts, as they develop, demonstrate and commercialize their solutions for a clean energy future.

Ashley Grosh, Vice President of Breakthrough Energy Fellows, stated, “To address the world's most pressing climate challenges, innovators need tailored resources and support. We are excited to deepen our commitment to early-stage innovation through the launch of a regional hub in Singapore. With its strategic location, thriving ecosystem and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Singapore is an ideal hub for nurturing climate innovation in Southeast Asia and beyond.”