About the Award
We believe that the urban social challenges in many Asian cities are quite alike (e.g. ageing population, environmental degradation and poverty), these pressing problems need to be solved immediately, and whenever the traditional model does not satisfy the needs of the society, innovations are demanded.
It is time for City Re-think!
Everyone can take a first step to kick start an innovative and sustainable business solution to improve the city we live in.
Asia Social Innovation Award (ASIA) was launched in 2008 and aims to promote social entrepreneurship and business 2.0 concepts in Asia through a social innovation idea competition. The Award provides a platform for idea-stage entrepreneurs to kick start projects through cross-country networking and expertise exchanges.
How to start?
Start From a Business Solution and Think Social- Choose an urban issue that you are most concerned about and committed to tackle.
- Think of a business idea that can address the urban issue, either by creating a new social start-up or by incorporating the social solutions in an existing business.
Some examples of social enterprises in Hong Kong as below:
| Company | Nature of Business | Description | Social Issue(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Taxi Service | Barrier-free transportation in Hong Kong using taxi license | Aging population, lack of point-to-point barrier-free transportation in Hong Kong |
 |
Property agency | Provide affordable housing subleasing to Single-mother with child in Hong Kong | Poverty, housing needs in Hong Kong |
 |
Sports events company | Organize running events to engage the community and empower youth in Hong Kong | Youth problems, the city communication |
The ASIA competition consists of three phases:
(i) 1st Phase: Local Region Competition
(ii) 2nd Phase: Coaching in CVC Entrepreneurs' Lab
(iii) 3rd Phase: Asia Region Competition
Read more
Organizers
SVhk launched ASIA in 2008, under its Sonova Institute program. Social enterprises in SVhk’s portfolio include Happy Grannies (ASIA 2009 winner, singleton elderly well-being service), Diamond Cab (barrier-free transportation service), Green Monday (platform to promote Green culture), Light Be (affordable social realty) and Playtao Education (education and student development service).
SVhk is an active member of Asia’s social enterprise and investment community, frequently contributing to organizations such as the Asia Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) and the Social Enterprise Summit.
Co-organizers
Through its ChangeVentures platform, ChangeFusion supports and invests into social enterprises. It provides portfolio social enterprises with equity and loan investments, and business support from marketing to professional services. Portfolio social enterprises cover various industries such as web and mobile technology, sustainable agriculture, sustainable tourism or community-based tourism, affordable healthcare, community-scale renewable energy and fair trade, among others.
ChangeFusion also aims to facilitate better ecosystems for social enterprises to succeed in Thailand and Asia. ChangeFusion is a non-profit institute under the Thai Rural Reconstruction Movement Foundation under the Royal Patronage.
SEI plays three roles in the field of social innovation: a Knowledge Centre (an “all-in-one” information platform to advance and inspire social innovation), a Connecting Hub (a social network of forums and workshops to connect change makers) and a Social Incubator (an integrated platform for resources to support social enterprises and start-ups).
SEI is a major contributor to the social innovation scene in Greater China, with about 1,000 articles published on its website and a track record of over 15 events with over 2,000 participants in total.
Sponsors
Exclusive English Media Partner
Impact Business Hotel Partner
