This is where the ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme (ASEAN SEDP) Elevate, an initiative by the ASEAN Foundation in partnership with SAP, seeks to make a difference. The programme connects selected alumni from ASEAN SEDP with targeted expertise, mentorship, business matchmaking, and technology capabilities to support their next stage of growth.
“ASEAN SEDP is part of our commitment to fostering a more connected and inclusive ASEAN ecosystem where social enterprises can collaborate and access opportunities beyond their home markets. Through ASEAN SEDP Elevate, we continue to create pathways for social enterprises to grow and expand their impact across the region,” said Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation.
This year, 17 social enterprise alumni from 10 ASEAN Member States were selected to participate in ASEAN SEDP Elevate. The programme is tailored to the needs of each enterprise, with five specialised tracks: Market Access, Investment Readiness, Social Impact, AI, and a Custom Track.
Moreover, through its partnership with the ASEAN Foundation, SAP is helping social entrepreneurs build the digital capabilities and confidence to apply technology to real business challenges and create lasting impact.
As a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP will lead the Masterclasses that anchor the programme, equipping alumni with practical AI capabilities and tools to address challenges in market access, investment readiness, and social impact measurement.
“At SAP, we believe meaningful digital transformation begins when people have the skills and confidence to apply technology to real-world challenges. That belief is at the heart of our partnership with the ASEAN Foundation through ASEAN SEDP Elevate. We are not simply providing access to AI tools, we are investing in the entrepreneurs and innovators who are driving positive change in their communities. By equipping social enterprises with practical digital and AI capabilities, we are helping build a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready economy across Southeast Asia,” said Liher Urbizu, President and Managing Director, SAP Southeast Asia.
ASEAN SEDP Elevate builds on the four-year track record of ASEAN SEDP, which has supported 401 social entrepreneurs from 100 social enterprises across all 10 ASEAN Member States, collectively reaching 6,241,157 people through their solutions. The programme has also advanced inclusion, with 83% of participating enterprises led by women, while 17 employ persons with disabilities (PWDs), including seven PWD-led enterprises. More than 65% of alumni credit the programme with sharpening their strategic leadership, while over half report revenue and profit gains ranging from 5% to 194%.
For Indonesian social enterprise su-re.co, ASEAN SEDP Elevate is helping turn years of experience delivering community-based climate solutions into a stronger pathway for market expansion. The enterprise develops solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development, including biogas technology that provides rural communities with a cleaner cooking alternative while reducing reliance on firewood.
Through the Market Access Track, su-re.co is strengthening its understanding of new customer segments, distribution channels, financing mechanisms, and potential partnerships. This builds on previous ASEAN SEDP support, including grant funding that enabled the enterprise to expand to Sumba through the Empowering Women and Youth in Sumba Demo Day project, introducing biogas to Kadaghu Tana for the first time.
“Through ASEAN SEDP Elevate, we have been able to move beyond simply proving that our biogas solution works and focus more clearly on building a business model that can scale. The programme has helped us strengthen our market access, explore new financing and partnership opportunities, and reach communities we had not tapped before,” said Bianca Angelique, Engineering Officer of su-re.co.
Since onboarding on 29 July 2026, participants have received tailored support including one-on-one mentorship, business matchmaking with investors and strategic partners, and SAP Masterclasses exploring the application of AI to market access, investment readiness, and social impact measurement.
The journey now moves from capability-building to opportunity. On 21 and 22 September 2026, selected ASEAN SEDP Elevate participants will showcase their products and solutions at the ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum 2026 in Manila, connecting with government officials, businesses, investors, and ecosystem partners from across the region.