ASEAN Sparks Catalyse - ASEAN Centre for Energy Accelerator Programme

🌍 About the Programme

ASEAN Sparks, an initiative under the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), supported by The Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), is a comprehensive programme designed to ignite and accelerate climate technology innovation across ASEAN.

The programme empowers startups and MSMEs in the energy sector through a three-pillar architecture:

• Ignite: A pre-accelerator startup camp.
• Catalyse: An intensive accelerator with workshops, mentorship, and a regional pitch event.
• Elevate: International business matchmaking.

This initiative aims to foster a gender-inclusive ecosystem, cultivate impactful climate energy solutions, and contribute to ASEAN's sustainable energy future and the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

🎯 Programme Objectives

The primary objective of ASEAN Sparks: Catalyse is to accelerate promising clean energy startups (TRL 3-6, BRL 3-6) towards:

• Market readiness.
• Investment attraction.
• Strategic partnerships within ASEAN.

📋 Scope of the Programme

Participants will engage in a structured online programme that includes:

1. Online Training Series:

   • Business Strategy & Validation and Market Expansion & Entry.
   • Funding & Investment.
   • Partnerships & Governance.
   • Sustainability & Impact.
   • Pitching & Communication.

2. Mentorship:

   • 30 startups will participate in three bi-weekly sessions with 10 experienced mentors, each guiding three startups.

3. Networking Opportunities:

   • Online platforms will be used to connect participants with mentors and potential collaborators.

4. Pitching Preparation and Pitching Day:

   • 20 startups will be selected from the 30 participating startups for a pitching session at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
   • Seven startups will be chosen to participate in a business matchmaking event in Japan.

🕒 Expected Commitment

Participants are expected to:

• Actively participate in all scheduled online sessions and workshops.
• Dedicate necessary time to the programme, with direct involvement from founding members or C-level executives highly recommended.
• Complete all assigned tasks and activities.
• Engage constructively with mentors and peers.
• Refine their innovation/solution concept throughout the programme.
• Present their solution at designated virtual pitch sessions.
• Provide feedback to improve the programme.
• Collaborate with other participants.

🛠️ Work Mechanisms

The programme will involve:

• Interactive online training and mentoring sessions.
• One-on-three and group virtual mentorship sessions.
• Online networking forums and events.
• Virtual pitch preparation sessions.
• Virtual pitching for semi-final and final pitching days in Kuala Lumpur.

📅 Duration of Engagement

The programme duration is approximately 3 months, including:

• 7 days of workshops.
• 3 days of mentorship and prototype refinement (spanning 5-6 weeks).
• 1 day for the demo day.

🎁 Benefits

Upon successful completion of ASEAN Sparks: Catalyse, participants will:

1. Gain essential skills in developing user-centric solutions, navigating regulations, measuring impact, fostering inclusive cultures, and securing funding.
2. Build strong foundations to adapt to market changes and effectively engage investors.
3. Network with fellow participants, mentors, and potential collaborators.
4. Develop and deliver a concise pitch for their clean energy solution.
5. Be better prepared for potential participation in the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To participate, applicants must:

• Be a team of at least two members (individuals are not eligible).
• Have the majority of team members (50% +1) as citizens of ASEAN Member States:
  • Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam.
• Focus on addressing energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean energy, and other climate technology challenges/opportunities within ASEAN Member States.
• Be based exclusively in the ASEAN region, with operations or headquarters in one of the ASEAN Member States.
• Possess a strong passion for clean energy and environmental sustainability.
• Have a validated solution with some initial traction.
• Demonstrate a commitment to developing a viable business model.
• Women-led or co-founded ventures are strongly encouraged to apply.

📝 Application Process

Required Documents:

1. A summary of the startup, including details about the company, solution, market, team, and financial traction.
2. Information about the problem being addressed and the proposed solution.
3. A brief overview of the potential target market.
4. Details about the individual or team members.
5. A statement outlining the motivation for participating in the programme and commitment to clean energy.
6. A pitch deck including:
   • Problem Statement.
   • Solutions (technical details of the product/solution).
   • Market Size (TAM, SAM, SOM).
   • Go-to-Market Strategy.
   • Business Model.
   • Competitor Analysis.
   • Traction.
   • Team Composition.
   • Investment/Funding Needs.

🔍 Selection Process

Participants will be selected through a competitive application process based on the following criteria:

• Team Credibility and Commitment: Experience, skills, and dedication of the team.
• Innovation and Technology: Novelty and potential impact of the solution in addressing climate change and contributing to SDGs (especially SDG 7 and SDG 13).
• Business Viability & Market Potential: Clarity and robustness of the business model, market size, and competitive advantage.
• Scalability: Economic growth potential and ability to scale across markets.

📅 Key Dates

• Date Published: June 27, 2025
• Application Deadline: July 20, 2025
• Pitching Event: October 2025 (ASEAN Energy Business Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

📧 Contact Information

For further inquiries, please contact:
Email: cee@aseanenergy.org

🌐 Application Links

• Apply Now
• Programme Details

• Gain essential skills in developing user-centric solutions, navigating regulations, measuring impact, fostering inclusive cultures, and securing funding, all aimed at building sustainable, impactful, and fundable businesses that contribute to a cleaner, more equitable future.
• Build strong foundations, adapting to market changes, and effectively engage investors, with strategic mentor-startup matching based on synergy and flexible additional support.
• Network with fellow participants, mentors, and potential collaborators.
• Develop and deliver a concise pitch for their clean energy solution.
• Understand the requirements and be better prepared for potential participation in the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.