SFi October 2025 Newsletter
- annashuvalova2
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Hello Impact Ecosystem!
It has been a busy October as SFi co-hosted the 9th Ocean Innovators Platform, bringing together over 100 leaders to highlight innovative solutions for ocean sustainability and foster collaboration within the blue finance ecosystem.
We also held another edition of SFi’s Impact Access Series, further inspiring connections between investors and changemakers, showcasing bold strategies driving climate action, SME growth, and decarbonization. Additionally, SFi also spoke at key events including the Global Youth Powerhouse Summit and Green Tech Summit.
Read on for more details on the above. We also look forward to seeing you at our upcoming impact events, including our upcoming webinar on Green Steel.
Turning the Tide: Key Insights from the 9th Ocean Innovators Platform
On 22 October, over 100 leaders, investors, and innovators gathered at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club for the 9th Ocean Innovators Platform (OIP), co-hosted by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (PA2F) and Sustainable Finance Initiative (SFi), with support from Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy, AVPN, and Builders Vision.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour, OIP 2025 was a hub of energy and ideas, highlighting innovative solutions for ocean sustainability and the transition to a sustainable blue economy.
Key takeaways from OIP include:
Aligning Conservation with Economic Growth: Conservation and economic development can – and must – go hand in hand. Sustainability initiatives drive innovation, create jobs, and generate economic opportunities. Demonstrating these economic benefits is key to mobilising private and institutional capital for ocean-focused initiatives.
The Role of Metrics and Accountability: The development of the blue economy is dependent on robust, science-based metrics that accurately value and measure the impact of ocean innovations– "we cannot protect what we don’t measure." Transparency and accountability are critical for building trust and enabling scalable, impactful solutions in the blue economy.
Building an Innovative and Collaborative Blue Finance Ecosystem: A coalition across the capital spectrum – corporates, governments, foundations, family offices, and others – must work together to create a comprehensive blue finance ecosystem. They must be willing to deploy capital into innovative financial mechanisms and incentives critical for bridging the gap between philanthropy and investable capital, ensuring financial support exists to scale solutions at every stage.
Hong Kong’s Unique Role as a Marine Hub: With 4.2% of its GDP tied to the maritime industry, and home to 25% of China’s marine biodiversity, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to be Asia Pacific’s leading hub for Blue Economy solutions. Our city has a key opportunity to drive blended finance structures that mobilise capital for ocean restoration, and integrate economic development with marine conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable ocean use.
As we reflect on the powerful conversations and collaborations, one thing is clear – Asia Pacific needs trillions of dollars to finance sustainable marine industries in the next decade. The blue economy is no longer abstract – it’s a pressing growth imperative. We need to take action and invest in solutions to protect our oceans.
Let’s keep diving deeper, and chart the next frontier of the blue economy together – not just for Hong Kong, but for the wider region and the globe.
SFi Impact Access Series: Connecting Investors and Changemakers
On 30 September, we organised another energising edition of the SFi Impact Accessseries – a space where fund managers, investors, and changemakers come together to exchange bold ideas and real solutions for sustainable finance.
WakeUp Capital, Mikro Kapital, and Tikehau Capital each shared their latest insights and strategies which are driving climate solutions, SME growth, and the push for decarbonisation. This was followed by an active and engaging discussion with our SFi community, and connections continue to be built even after the event’s conclusion.
Whilst global fundraising remains challenging, our conversations on the ground signal something different: more than 60% of our community are eager to deploy capital into actionable, high-impact opportunities. This momentum is exactly why we hold these gatherings – to cut through the noise and connect directly with Managers who are shaping the future of impact investing.
SFi Speaks at Key Sustainability Events in October
The Sustainable Finance Initiative team also took the stage at two high-impact events in October to champion sustainable investing and philanthropy.
On 20 October, our CEO Katy Yung joined Scott Chang of Standard Chartered and Dorothy Chan of Asia Society in a dynamic conversation on “Building Resilient Cities: Leaders and Youth Advancing Philanthropy and Investing.” at the Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2025.
On 22-23 October, our team also spoke at Green Tech Summit 2025, co-hosted by GoImpact Capital Partners and MioTech. Our CEO Katy Yung spoke on the panel “Private Capital, Public Good – The Good, Bad & Ugly of Green & Tech Investments”, together with Gabriel Chan of BNP Paribas Wealth Management, Matt Vincent of Zurich Insurance, and Kevin Angelini of Templaria. Francesco Stadler, our Director of Impact Funds & Ventures, also moderated the session “The Role of Blended Finance in Nature-based Solutions in APAC,” featuring Chloe Cheung of Prosperity Impact, Alvin Li of ANF Capital, and Kate Martin of ADM Capital Foundation.
As always, our team is proud to help shape the future of sustainable finance and cross-sector collaboration in Asia and beyond.
Upcoming SFi Events
SFi events are open to members only, unless otherwise specified. If you are not yet a member and wish to gain access to these events, along with other benefits, reach out to us to find out more about joining the SFi community.
Neptune Robotics secured US$52 million in series B funding led by Granite Asia, with participation from Japanese shipping company NYK Line.
Kyoto Fusioneering, a Japan-based nuclear fusion equipment manufacturer, raised $10m in Series C funding from JERA, Kyocera, and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. The company also raised $36m in debt funding from Bank of Kyoto, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan Finance Corporation, MUFG Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Backed by Bill Gates, Singapore’s Terra Oleo Raises $3.1M to Turn Waste Into Palm Oil Substitutes.
Vietnam-based electric motorbike maker Dat Bike raised $22m in Series B funding from FCC, Jungle Ventures, and Rebright Partners.
Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has prioritised impact investments in her first policy directive to cabinet ministers. Alongside the decision by GPIF — the world’s largest pension fund — earlier this year to shift into impact investing, this signals Japan’s emergence as a leader in the global impact investing ecosystem.
The Coalition for Impact (C4i), a global network of network-building organisations committed to advancing the impact economy, have just released "Mapping the Private Wealth System". The map, to which SFi had provided input, outlines the landscape of the existing private wealth system, and reimagines how financial resources can be leveraged as a driver of regenerative solutions and a force for systemic change.
The Global Impact Investor Network (GIIN) have released its "State of the Market 2025" report, highlighting that despite global headwinds, Impact AUM has continued to grow — at a compound annual growth rate of 21% over the past six years with an 11% increase in the past year — a signal of enduring confidence in the impact capital market.
Click the links below to register or find out more about upcoming events
** denotes events where SFi are speakers
3-7 November: Hong Kong Fintech Week (Hong Kong)
5 November: Green Steel Webinar (Online)
17-20 November: AVCJ Private Equity Forum (Hong Kong)
24 November: Green Future Innovation Challenge (Shenzhen)
5 December: SFi Impact Access (Hong Kong)
For members, please add events@sustainablefinance.hk to your contacts and kindly indicate your attendance in the calendar invitation for SFi related events.
We invite Family Office Principals, Private Investors of an endowment or foundation, or NextGen Investors to reach out to us to find out more about the benefits of joining the Sustainable Finance Initiative community. Don't miss out on members' only opportunities, and contact us today!
Stay updated on these gatherings, as well as impact news, research and events we have highlighted for the SFi community in our full newsletter! Let's keep bringing purpose to capital!