In the world of finance, risks are usually seen as something to avoid at all cost. But this leaves early-stage innovations chronically underfunded, even when global need is urgent. Could rethinking risk help philanthropy close this gap and serve as a critical enabler for building infrastructure?

Recorded at the sixth Philanthropy Asia Summit in Singapore, this episode examines how patient, catalytic funding can de-risk promising ventures, bridge the “valley of death” between grants and commercial viability, and ultimately empower communities to create sustainable, local solutions.

Host Rob Sachs speaks with Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society CEO Ruth Shapiro, Rockefeller Foundation Senior Vice President Deepali Khanna, Centre for Impact Investing and Practices CEO Dawn Chan, and Institute of Finance and Sustainability President Ma Jun. 

Asian Innovation for Global Good is a podcast from Philanthropy Asia Alliance, produced by FP Studios.

This spring, over 2,500 delegates representing more than 60 countries convened in Singapore for the 6th Philanthropy Asia Summit to discuss collaborative giving, shared goals for the region, and strategies for scaling impactful innovation.

On this episode, we look at how philanthropy in Asia is moving beyond individual projects to help drive systems change in critical areas such as vector-borne diseases, financial inclusion, economic growth, and the energy transition.

Host Rob Sachs speaks with Philanthropy Asia Alliance CEO Shaun Seow, AVPN CEO Naina Subberwal Batra, Latimpacto CEO Carolina Suárez, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth Founder Shamina Singh and Senior Vice President Shuba Chandran, as well as The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak.

Together, they explore how locally rooted philanthropy, cross-regional collaboration, private-sector capabilities, and government leadership can help unlock new solutions to Asia’s most critical needs.

Across Asia, philanthropy is expanding from traditional grant-making into a more active role as catalytic capital, taking on risk that commercial investment avoids and public funding cannot yet reach.

Climate, global health, and inclusive development now draw partnerships that cross borders and sectors, financing early-stage innovation where the returns are uncertain and the time horizons are long.

The Philanthropy Asia Summit is where those alliances take shape, and this four-part series, recorded at the sixth edition in Singapore, follows host Rob Sachs into the rooms where funders, operators, and policy leaders are testing what collaborative giving can achieve.

Each episode examines the role philanthropy plays when the maps drawn for an earlier era no longer fit the terrain, and what becomes possible when ambition meets disciplined execution.

For more from The Philanthropy Asia Summit, click here.