UBS crowns APAC winner of UBS Social Innovators 2016

Singapore (26 October 2016) - UBS recently announced the APAC winner of its signature global program, UBS Social Innovators 2016, at the APAC Regional Bootcamp and Summit 2016 held over the weekend, from 22 to 23 October at the UBS Business University Campus Asia Pacific in Singapore.

An international search for trailblazing social innovators that are delivering innovative solutions to society’s most pressing challenges, a total of three winners (one per region) and nine runners-up (three per region) were selected across APAC, EMEA and Switzerland.

Karma Primary Healthcare Services Private Limited was named the APAC winner of UBS Social Innovators 2016, and will join an Accelerator program in 2017 tailored to the enterprise's needs to grow the organization and achieve greater social impact. On top of that, they will be participating in UBS' flagship Wealth Management Philanthropy Forum in St Moritz in December 2016 and was also awarded with a cash grant of USD 40,000. Edible Garden City Pte Ltd, Socialmotion Co. Ltd. and BagoSphere PH Inc. were chosen as the three runners-up in the APAC region, and will also be entering the bespoke 12- month Accelerator program in 2017 and each received cash grant of USD 5,000. The Accelerator program's tailored package of support for the winner and three runners-up will include access to UBS’ unique network and know-how, global exposure and expert coaching.

The winner and three runners-up were carefully selected from a pool of 12 shortlisted social enterprises across 8 countries in APAC who gathered to pitch for the winning title. All the 12 social enterprises also had the benefit of participating in the Regional Bootcamp, where they received mentoring and support from Ashoka experts to help propel their vision to the next level and introductions to philanthropists and social investors from UBS’ and Ashoka’s unique global networks. Following which, each social enterprise pitched for a spot in the Regional Final where Karma Primary Healthcare Services Private Limited was then identified as the winner for APAC.

UBS Social Innovators was launched with support from Ashoka, global pioneers in the field of social entrepreneurship since 1980. Eligible social enterprises can be working in any field and tackling a social or environmental issue at any scale from local to international. They must have developed their solutions beyond proof of concept and already be up and running and potentially looking to grow through social investment.

"We are delighted to launch the UBS Social Innovators program as we hope to be able to develop the growing social investment market by identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs who are delivering innovative solutions pertaining to societal needs and generating positive social impact. We believe that through this program, it will open doors to aspiring social enterprises that are seeking to scale up their organizations to the next level."
Leona Tan, Managing Director, Community Affairs and Diversity & Inclusion Adviser, UBS

“The partnership between UBS and Ashoka is important. As the rate of change in the world continues to accelerate exponentially, financial and social systems must change profoundly – and much faster. Such change requires the top-caliber social entrepreneurs we will help launch and grow together.”
Bill Drayton, Founder and CEO
For Ashoka: Innovators for the Public

"It is really exciting to win the APAC UBS Social Innovators 2016. Having the support of UBS and Ashoka in our mission is gratifying and we are very proud of that. At the stage where our organization is, we are looking to grow and expand, and the Accelerator program is very timely for us to increase our impact and support our growth."
Jagdeep Gambhir, Chief Executive Officer, Karma Primary Healthcare Services Private Limited

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UBS

UBS is committed to providing private, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland, with superior financial advice and solutions, while generating attractive and sustainable returns for shareholders. Its strategy centers on its Wealth Management and Wealth Management Americas businesses and its leading universal bank in Switzerland, complemented by its Asset Management business and its Investment Bank. These businesses share three key characteristics: they benefit from a strong competitive position in their targeted markets, are capital-efficient, and offer a superior structural growth and profitability outlook. UBS’ strategy builds on the strengths of all of its businesses and focuses its efforts on areas in which it excels, while seeking to capitalize on the compelling growth prospects in the businesses and regions in which it operates. Capital strength is the foundation of its success.

Ashoka

Ashoka is the largest network of social entrepreneurs worldwide, with over 3,500 Ashoka Fellows in 80 countries putting their system-changing ideas into practice on a global scale. Founded by Bill Drayton in 1980, Ashoka has provided start-up financing, professional support services, and connections to a global network across the business and social sectors, and a platform for people dedicated to changing the world. Ashoka launched the field of social entrepreneurship and has activated multi-sector partners across the world who increasingly look to entrepreneurial talent and new ideas to solve social problems.

UBS AG

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