Unreasonable Impact Asia Pacific 2024

Asia Pacific 2024

Unreasonable Impact is an international network focused on scaling socially impactful solutions that will help build a more inclusive economy and create a cleaner future.

It is an innovative multi-geographic partnership between Barclays and Unreasonable to support high growth ventures at the forefront of mission-driven innovation. Since 2016, Unreasonable Impact has met participating entrepreneurs at a pivotal stage of their growth journey with the resources, mentorship, and global network needed to help them rapidly scale, create jobs, and address key global issues.

Unreasonable and Barclays are proud to showcase the 12 entrepreneurs that have been identified as drivers of social and environmental change in Asia Pacific. These innovators are providing possible solutions to the future of agriculture, renewable energy, mobility and more. Together, they’ve raised more than US$282M in financing and operate in more than 10 countries.

Join us as we continue to support and amplify their transformative efforts, fostering a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow for us all.

Realising a society where people can live out their natural lives.

Craif

Craif is a molecular diagnostics company harnessing the power of miRNA and machine learning to develop an early detection classifier. Their proprietary miRNA platform and sampling technology enable the capture of urinary miRNA, facilitating the development of assays that accurately predict early-stage cancer. In 2022, Craif launched its miSignal multi-cancer early detection assay in Japan, covering seven cancer types (pancreatic, ovarian, oesophageal, lung, breast, colorectal, and gastric).

SECTOR

Biotechnology

HQ Tokyo,

ENTREPRENEUR

Craif USA was established in 2023 to introduce this platform to the US market, with a focus on pancreatic cancer. They are currently enrolling cancer patients and high-risk controls for US population validation of the assay. Craif USA is also developing a portfolio strategy tailored to the unmet clinical needs and competitive landscape of the US.

Ryuichi is the Co-Founder and CEO of Craif. Ryuichi co-founded the company in May 2018 and has served as CEO since its incorporation. Prior to co-founding the company, Ryuichi worked at Mitsubishi Corp from 2014 to 2018, engaging in project management and finance of LNG vessels. Additionally, in 2016, Ryuichi founded a private residence management company and spread the service nationwide. Ryuichi graduated from Waseda University in Japan and studied abroad at McGill University in Canada. Selected as a 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Healthcare & Science in Canada, Ryuichi was born in Japan and grew up in Japan, the United States, and Indonesia.

Enpower Greentech

Advancing battery storage to power the future of mobility.

SECTOR

Energy Technology

HQ

Beijing, China

ENTREPRENEUR

Enpower Greentech develops advanced batteries with ultra-high energy density for a variety of applications. In 2023, the company commercialised its first product, a lithium-based cylindrical battery currently in-market and powering drones. With manufacturing and technical centres in China, Japan, and the US, Enpower is expanding production and market reach. Their goals include producing EV batteries by 2024, expanding into commercial energy storage and aviation in 2026 and beyond, and achieving an annual production capacity of 100 GWh of battery storage by 2030.

Dr. Sam Dai is the Co-Founder and CEO of Enpower Greentech Inc. He has many years of industrial R&D and executive leadership experience in the fields of battery, renewable energy, and semiconductors, including 15 years leading product innovation and commercialisation of billion-dollar businesses and 11 years leading a startup technology company scaling up from lab development to production. His prior career includes roles at Hewlett-Packard Company as a Master Engineer/Scientist and R&D Manager, and at a US-based renewable energy company as a Senior Director of R&D and Chief Technology Officer. He holds a BSc degree and an MSc degree in Physics from Tsinghua University and a PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, under the guidance of Professor John B. Goodenough, the 2019 Nobel Chemistry Laureate.

Fermenstation

Driving the world toward a circular economy by fermenting biomass to create novel ingredients.

SECTOR

Manufacturing and Supply Chain HQ

Sumida City, Tokyo, Japan

ENTREPRENEUR

Fermenstation is a certified B-Corp that transforms biomass into various ingredients such as flavors and alcohol through fermentation technology. Operating in Japan, they collaborate with food, beverage, and cosmetic industries to convert waste into ingredients for various products. The company has one factory, currently being upgraded to handle more volume, and has completed trials with over 40 customers. Fermenstation aims to increase production through new partnerships, expand product offerings, and scale globally.

Lina Sakai is the Founder and CEO of Fermenstation. She started her career in financial institutions (Fuji Bank and Deutsche Bank) in Tokyo and spent more than 10 years in finance, corporate planning, and M&A. Lina’s curiosity to make use of resources that had not been effectively utilised drove her to study fermentation and biotechnology, leading to the founding of Fermenstation in 2009. She is passionate about utilising micro-organisms to build a circular economy. Lina holds a degree from the Department of Brewing and Fermentation Science at the Tokyo University of Agriculture. She has also graduated from the International Christian University.

Building the greenest lithium-ion battery.

GRST

SECTOR

Energy Technology

HQ

Hong Kong

ENTREPRENEUR

Co-Founder

GRST (Green, Renewable, Sustainable Technology) has developed a cleaner process for manufacturing lithiumion batteries, reducing pollution and using components that are easier to recycle. Instead of using toxic solvents and hard-to-recycle materials, GRST utilises a watersoluble binding composite. This allows for the economical recovery and reuse of lithium, cobalt, and nickel at the end of a battery’s life, reducing the need for further extraction. They remain committed to improving battery performance while further reducing carbon footprints.

Justin Hung is the Co-Founder and CEO of GRST. He began his career as an accountant and moved into entrepreneurship in 2004. He found his interest in green chemicals with the ambition to reduce toxicity in chemical materials. His most recent and best endeavour is to make the greener, cheaper and most recyclable lithiumion battery as the world is transitioning progressively to renewable energy and electrification in various forms of transportation. He hopes to set new global standards for both the manufacturing and recycling of lithiumion batteries in order to achieve a real circular economy for the supply chains and minimising the carbon footprints and enabling reduction in unethical mining for precious metals.

Magorium

Magorium’s technology aims to address the global plastic waste crisis and promote sustainability within the construction sector. Their technology converts contaminated plastic into NEWBitumen, a new construction material. This approach focuses on recycling plastic considered unrecyclable, diverting it from incineration and creating greener roads while reducing reliance on imported, finite crude-based resources.

The team has partnered with organisations like Sanofi, Sentosa, and DBS to establish a circular economy. Their impact is supported by Enterprise Singapore, DBS Foundation, Temasek Foundation, and the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment. Magorium’s innovative work has been recognised in competitions including StartupX Waste 20/20, Technode Innovations Awards, and Extreme Tech Challenge SG.

Chu Xian Oh is the the Founder of Magorium. Belonging to three generations of road construction, she witnessed firsthand the immense volume of raw materials – aggregates and crude oil-derived bitumen –mined from the earth to construct roads. A firm believer that economic growth and infrastructure development cannot come at the expense of our environment, she founded Magorium to create coexistence between businesses and the environment through innovation and technology. Throughout her journey, Chu Xian Oh has been invited as a speaker at the University of Cambridge (Prince of Wales’ Business & Sustainability Programme) and other sustainability and leadership events. Magorium’s impact has clinched her honours including Conservation International 10forZero, HSBC Gamechanger, Forbes Under 30, Prestige Under 40, and she represented Singapore in both the ASEAN Youth Dialogue 23 and ASEAN Summit 23.

NEPRA

NEPRA, a sustainability solutions company with diverse operations answering the challenges of Climate Change, leverages high-end tech platforms and operates with trust, transparency, and scalability. Since 2011, NEPRA has been India’s leading waste management company, strengthening the recycling ecosystem and creating value chains for dry waste streams. Their network boasts India’s largest automated dry waste facility and five others across the country, processing approximately 365,000 MT annually. NEPRA also runs a high-end plastic recycling facility producing near-virgin PCR granules. They’ve evolved into a full-stack provider, operating across 28 cities and 6 UTs, supporting EPR, ESG, and GHG initiatives. Their “Care for People and Planet” value drives socioeconomic impact, embodying “Purpose with Profit. ENTREPRENEUR

Sandeep Patel, Founder and CEO of NEPRA, is known for his pioneering work in transforming and revolutionising the waste management and recycling sector in India. After completing his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), he pursued an MBA in E-Commerce Strategy and Project Management from Leeds Beckett University in the UK. Upon returning to India, driven by his entrepreneurial spirit, he founded NEPRA in 2006. Sandeep Patel currently serves as president of the National Solid Waste Association of India (NSWAI). He is also a member of the CII National Environment Committee and Waste to Worth. Prestigious awards include: CNBC TV18 India Business Leaders Award (IBLA) for Contribution to Climate Consciousness, Forbes Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SoEY), and India Today’s Garbage Guru award. He is passionate about transforming the lives of people in Bottom of the Pyramid communities.

Eliminating gigaton-scale greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. SECTOR

Biotechnology

Provectus Algae

Provectus Algae is a carbon removal company that provides a seaweed-based feed additive. This additive acts as an effective burp suppressant, providing a simple, cost-effective solution to reduce methane emissions from dairy and beef farms. It offers an easy-to-access solution that does not involve drastic changes to the supply chain or consumer behaviour. This approach allows corporations to support a ‘just transition’ model of sustainability, enabling farm families to continue their livelihoods while adopting sustainable practices. Through its services, Provectus Algae offers a low-cost solution for corporations wishing to meet public SBTi goals and reduce large amounts of carbon in their supply chains.

Nusqe

Nusqe Spanton is the Founder and CEO of Provectus Algae. He has spent the past two decades immersed in algae, aquaculture, and marine ecosystems, living, working, and learning in some of the world’s most pristine marine environments. These experiences have fostered a deep affinity for the ocean, its creatures, and the opportunities they present – if we know where to look and how to harness them. In 2018, he founded Provectus Algae with the mission of creating a scalable way to harness the power of photosynthesis from aquatic organisms, transforming industries and bringing next-generation, carbonnegative manufacturing of raw materials to the world. He thrives on achieving the seemingly unachievable and bringing like-minded people together for a worthy purpose.

Building a recommerce and circularityas-a-service platform for kids products and brands.

Retykle

Retykle is Asia’s largest dedicated ‘recommerce’ platform for secondhand children’s and maternity goods. Operating across Hong Kong and Singapore, Retykle aims to make buying and selling high-quality pre-loved items as easy as buying new. It offers a seamless circular solution that extends the lifespan of children’s products, benefitting families, communities, and the environment. Retykle has recirculated over 250,000 items and saved 750 tonnes of CO2e since its inception.

SECTOR

Circular Economy HQ

Hong Kong

ENTREPRENEUR

Sarah Garner is the Founder of Retykle, Asia’s first and leading recommerce platform for kidswear. Prior to Retykle, Sarah worked in corporate luxury fashion with Lane Crawford, LVMH, Richemont & Selfridges Group. Leveraging the experience from traditional retail to solve a personal pain point after becoming a parent, Retykle addresses the pressing issue of how to extend the lifespan of products that have a temporary use with each family – necessitating circular solutions. Retykle has recirculated over 250K products and operates in Singapore and Hong Kong with the ambition to take the solution global and transform the $350 Bn+ kids space into a circular model. Retykle has recently extended its technology with a circularity-asa-service offering, connecting brands to resale in a single click, which will further accelerate the transition.

Roceso

Enhancing quality of life through neurorehabilitation, anytime and anywhere.

SECTOR

Assistive Technology HQ

Singapore

ENTREPRENEUR

Co-Founder & CEO

Roceso Technologies specialises in developing robotic rehabilitation devices and digital health solutions for neurological recovery. The company provides services for conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injuries and cerebral palsy, offering solutions for both clinical settings and at-home use. Roceso was established in 2016 and operates in over 20 countries. Their aim is to revolutionise neurorehabilitation with AI-driven, personalised therapy solutions for various body parts, expanding their reach to countries worldwide.

Jane is the Co-Founder and CEO of Roceso Technologies, a Singaporebased, pioneering neurorehabilitation technology startup offering soft robotics, sensing, and platform technologies for patients with neurological impairments. Besides managing operations, she spearheads the company’s business strategies and global expansion.

Under Jane’s leadership, Roceso Technologies has established a German subsidiary and a global distribution network spanning over 50 countries. Their flagship product, the EsoGLOVE Hand Rehabilitation System, has achieved regulatory approval worldwide. Prior to cofounding Roceso Technologies in 2016, Jane gained extensive experience in sales, consulting, engineering, and human resources with multinational corporations.

Creating a global network of distributed batteries.

Sheru

SECTOR

Cybernetics

ENTREPRENEUR

Ankit

Mittal TITLE

Co-Founder & CEO

Sheru is an Indian company that offers cloud energy storage services for grid operators. Their platform aggregates energy storage capacity from batteryswapping stations, electric taxis, and buses. Grid operators can then access, reserve, and pay for this storage space, making energy storage more costeffective and efficient. Sheru has aggregated around 15 megawatt-hours of energy storage in India and plans to reach 100 megawatt-hours in the next two years. Their core market focus remains within India.

Ankit Mittal co-founded Sheru, where he serves as CEO and builds cloud energy storage solutions for electricity grids. He holds the role of Secretary for the Charge Point Operators of India, a NITI-Aayog initiative. Ankit also mentors climate entrepreneurs through Susmafia and Cleantech Open. He identifies as a restless minimalist.

Using technology to create unique solutions for the aquaculture industry.

Umitron

Umitron is a technology-first company that is installing sustainable aquaculture systems on Earth. They service large aquaculture markets using their proprietary automatic feeder systems. These systems monitor fish behaviour and optimise feeds, enabling greater yields, efficiency, and environmental benefits. Their aim is to provide all aquaculture systems with the tools to scale sustainably and become a crucial lever in feeding the world sustainably.

SECTOR

Agricultural Technology HQ

Singapore

ENTREPRENEUR

Masahiko

Yamada TITLE

Co-Founder & President

Masahiko Yamada co-founded UMITRON, where he serves as President. The company leverages AI and satellite sensing for the aquaculture industry. His background includes airspace experience, contributing to microsatellite development at university. He later worked at Mitsui & Co., Ltd., promoting overseas electric power retail business. Masa also worked at an AI startup analyzing consumer behaviour for top-selling mobile applications. After this company went public, he founded UMITRON with a mission to install sustainable aquaculture practices on Earth.

WASSHA

Providing low-cost, solar-powered lighting systems to underserved communities in Africa.

SECTOR

Energy

Technology HQ

Japan

ENTREPRENEUR

WASSHA is a Japanese company providing solar electricity-based lighting systems to underprivileged communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. They provide LED lantern rental services for low-income people (microbusiness owners and households) who live in villages that are not connected to the grid or have no ready source of light. Their asset financing and rental model ensures there is no upfront capital requirement for its customers, allowing users to double their income by extending business hours and activity.

Satoshi Akita founded WASSHA Inc. in 2013, driven by the mission “power to the people” and a commitment to alleviating poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Formerly a business consultant at IBM Japan, he leads WASSHA’s “Energy as a Service” business. This model offers affordable solar device rentals to micro-entrepreneurs and off-grid households in rural Africa, facilitated through a network of 6,000 local retail outlets across five nations. Satoshi is also a member of StartX, a Stanford-affiliated startup community, and the Google for Startups Global Alumni Program.