Three Indian start-ups have made it to the list of winners under the DBS Foundation’s Grant Programme for the year 2022. 

The companies selected as part of the programme are Neomotion Assistive Solutions, Saathi Eco Innovations, and Urdhvam Environmental Technologies. 

These enterprises were among the 23 finalists from across Asia. Of the 23 start-ups selected for 2022, 15 are social enterprises (SEs), including the three Indian winners, and eight are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). From a record 900-plus grant applications received, the final grantees were selected on the basis of stringent criteria, including their ability to create social and environmental impact, innovate and on the overall sustainability and scalability of their organisations.

With DBS Foundation’s Grant funding, Neomotion Assistive Solutions will be able to increase its production and provide mobility solutions for the differently abled and the elderly and empower them with the ability to travel without assistance. Saathi Eco Innovations will use the grant to expand its production capacity to make eco-friendly hygiene products, educate and provide sanitary pads to underserved women in India and reduce plastic waste. Urdhvam Environmental Technologies will utilise the grant to advance its groundwater mapping and patented smart rainwater harvesting “BoreCharger” technology to make villages sustainable for future generations. The growth of these businesses would help India on its journey towards net-zero emissions and meet its food security aims and Sustainable Development Goals.

Since 2014, the DBS Foundation through its flagship Grant Programme has been claiming to support social enterprises (SEs) in growing their businesses and creating positive impact. The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) programme was launched more recently and seeks to help SMEs kickstart their transition towards becoming more sustainable businesses. 

A total of SGD 3 million will be disbursed to scale the growth and impact of the 2022 programme grant awardees, who will join the Foundation’s growing community of over 100 businesses for impact in the bank’s key markets. Apart from the financial support as part of the grant, the businesses will also benefit from capacity building, networking and advisory & mentoring support to be extended over the grant period of 2 years. 

Shoma Narayanan, managing director (MD),  Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, at DBS Bank India, said, "At DBS Bank India, we are committed to creating social impact beyond banking and take the lead in encouraging more responsible business practices. The DBS Foundation and its Grant Programme are a manifestation of this commitment. Indian start-ups have been doing some exemplary work in the ESG space. The impactful work of the winners this year - Neomotion Assistive Solutions, Saathi Eco Innovations, and Urdhvam Environmental Technologies - and what they have achieved so far is indeed very inspiring. We are proud to be a part of their journey as they work towards improving lives and livelihoods, and happy to help them scale positive change.”