The ASEAN Sparks programme has officially launched! Powered by the ASEAN Centre for Energy with support from Japan-ASEAN Integrated Fund & United Nations Industrial Development Organization, this 3-phase journey empowers clean energy startups across Southeast Asia to scale, connect, and create impact. Applications for ASEAN Sparks: Ignite are open until 22 May 2025!

JAKARTA, 6 May 2025 — The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), with funding support from the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integrated Fund (JAIF), is set to sail an acceleration programme targeting aspiring startup founders and innovators across Southeast Asia: ASEAN Sparks.

ASEAN Sparks is a programme designed to address climate and energy pressures by accelerating the growth of climate tech enterprises. The programme empowers early-stage startups with the tools, expertise, and networks needed to scale while fostering a gender-inclusive environment that drives impactful clean energy solutions across the region.

Partnering with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), ASEAN Sparks is designed as a measurable and structured journey through three programme phases: Ignite, Catalyse, and Elevate.

Igniting the Region’s Energy Future

The ASEAN Sparks will start with the Ignite phase, which focuses on nurturing early-stage solutions and equipping the founders with the essential skills to scale their business ideas effectively. Most promising participants will then advance to the Catalyse phase, where startups receive targeted mentoring, market-readiness training, and strategic business development support.

The journey culminates in the Elevate phase, during which top-performing startups will pitch their refined solutions on the Grand Pitching Day at the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-25) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These participants will then gain exposure to potential investors, corporate partners, and government stakeholders to explore funding, partnerships, and cross-border scaling opportunities.

Accelerating Innovation to Address Regional Climate Challenges

In response to growing climate-related challenges across ASEAN, the programme will centre around six key energy pillars, which include Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Smart Grids, Energy Storage, Clean Mobility,  and Other Climate & Energy Technologies.

“This programme is aligned with APAEC (ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation), especially in increasing the role of private sector and financial institutions,” said Dr Zulfikar Yurnaid, Acting Manager of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (CEE) Department, of the ASEAN Centre for Energy. “By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in clean energy, ASEAN Sparks directly supports the development and adoption of energy-efficient solutions across ASEAN.”

Building a Collaborative & Inclusive Ecosystem

Beyond capacity-building, ASEAN Sparks also aims to strengthen the regional ecosystem by connecting diverse stakeholders — from experts and mentors to startups and policymakers — within a collaborative and inclusive environment.

To ensure consistency and alignment throughout the programme, all participating experts will receive a certification tailored to the ASEAN Sparks framework. This step supports a shared understanding of the programme’s methodology, tools, and impact goals—enabling experts to deliver guidance that is cohesive and high-impact across all stages.

Startups and solutions will be assessed on the technology and business readiness level which includes team credibility and commitment, product impact, as well as market potential and scalability.

Join the Movement

The ASEAN Sparks is a dynamic and inclusive platform for energy innovators to synergise in advancing global climate goals, contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action. Throughout the programme, participants will be accompanied by mentors and trainers to develop their solutions in various areas from technology, business, and impact.

Running from June to October 2025, the ASEAN Sparks programme invites aspiring founders, researchers, and innovators to submit their applications for ASEAN Sparks: Ignite by 22 May 2025.

Those who are interested in amplifying impacts in Southeast Asia can visit go.aseanenergy.org/ApplySPARKS for application and more information.