Co-Axis catalyses a better future with fresh funding

Co-Axis, a digital impact marketplace developed by Temasek Trust, has secured S$1.25 million in catalytic capital to advance its mission of connecting funders to projects aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The funding, provided by the UK-based Richardson Family and Temasek Trust’s Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H), will be used to co-fund curated impact opportunities featured on the platform.

About Catalytic Capital

Catalytic Capital is a type of investment meant to enable impact-driven projects — especially ones that might not attract traditional funding on their own, as they may seem risky, with long timelines and low returns. As a result, this type of investment takes on greater risk, longer timelines, or lower returns in order to encourage third-party investment. 

This approach is increasingly seen as a way to bridge the US$4.2 trillion (around S$5.43 trillion) annual financing gap needed to achieve the UN’s SDGs by 2030 — a shortfall most acutely felt in developing regions.

The Richardson Family, a UK-based family office, has committed S$250,000 over two years to support opportunities identified by Co-Axis. Their commitment is structured in alignment with the investment terms and reporting framework set by C3H, which is contributing the remaining S$1 million. C3H, a catalytic vehicle launched by Temasek Trust, focuses on accelerating scalable, early-stage solutions in climate, health, and their intersection.

“Catalytic capital plays a vital role in de-risking early-stage opportunities and unlocking additional funding,” said Ryan Tan, Head of C3H. “By harnessing Co-Axis and a collaborative ecosystem, we can accelerate capital deployment and scale impact where it matters most.

A matter of access

Co-Axis was launched to help bridge the disconnect between funders and impact initiatives. Currently, the platform has over 100 SDG-aligned opportunities from more than 40 countries. Therefore, the funding secured will be channelled into initiatives that display strong governance, measurable outcomes, and potential for systems-level change. These opportunities are rigorously screened and evaluated against internationally recognised standards.

Besides helping with investment opportunities, Co-Axis works with partners from across the Temasek Trust ecosystem to provide initiatives with impact opportunities, sourced through the Temasek Trust Network; philanthropy advisory services from TT Foundation Advisors; and knowledge-sharing and capacity-building programmes through partners such as the Centre for Impact Investing & Practices (CIIP) and Tri-Sector Associates (TSA). 

“By connecting values-driven capital with curated impact opportunities, Co-Axis is creating new pathways across the capital spectrum to accelerate and scale collective impact,” said Joycelyn Ong, Head of Co-Axis. “Momentum is building — we invite impact innovators to join us, and like-minded funders to explore and support the many high-impact solutions available on Co-Axis.”

With catalytic capital acting as a spark, Co-Axis is aiming to build a connected and action-oriented impact community, where ideas, funding, and stakeholders can collaborate and tackle some of the world’s most urgent challenges.