Photo 1. Participants of the ASEAN Sparks Final Pitching Day at the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum
Kuala Lumpur, 17 October 2025 — The ASEAN Sparks marked another milestone by wrapping up the Final Pitching Event at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia, showcasing the Top 20 Startups in the clean energy and climate technology sectors from ASEAN Member States.Following the success of the first phase, Ignite, 30 startups advancing to the Catalyse phase completed a three-month intensive programme starting in August 2025. The ASEAN Sparks: Catalyse consists of workshops and mentoring sessions covering essential topics to accelerate their startup growth and establish sustainable businesses.
The 30 participating startups completed the programme with strong commitment and high dedication. By the end of the programme, 20 startups demonstrating promising progress were selected by the panel of judges through a pitching video assessment to join the Final Pitching event. Those startups that take the stage are:
- VidenVaren+
- Alternō
- Becool Indonesia – PT Diwangkara Wihaya Nusantara
- Pristinz Solutions
- SWITCH EV Lao Co., Ltd
- Qarbotech
- Airlytic
- CAS Energy
- AGRO AGAPE
- PV-CLOOST
- GAWIREA (Girls and Women in Renewable Energy Academy)
- Centric XAI
- Agrabah Ventures
- AGRINUR SENDIRIAN BERHAD
- CHOSEN Digital Co.,Ltd.
- Noctivent
- RECYGLO COMPANY PTE LTD
- Klimatech Innovative Solutions Inc.
- Ecovolt Technologies
- Satuplatform
At the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-25) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ASEAN Sparks: Catalyse took the stage with its Final Pitch, where clean energy and climate technology founders presented bold solutions to government stakeholders, regional leaders, and climate technology experts. Their passion and ingenuity highlighted the strength of ASEAN’s entrepreneurial spirit and its role in driving the region’s energy transition.
The pitching session was filled with impressive ideas and sharp delivery, with seven remarkable startups selected to advance to ASEAN Sparks: Elevate in Japan. This milestone marks not just recognition for the Top 7, but also a testament to the resilience, creativity, and potential of every founder who pitched — proving that ASEAN’s innovation ecosystem is ready to scale globally. The selected startups include:
- Alterno
- Pristinz Solutions
- Qarbotech
- Chosen
- CAS Energy
- GAWIREA
- Klimatech
Other than the Top 7 Finalist that will advance to the next phase, two startups were awarded from the audience voting and honorable mention, those to are Satuplatform and Agro Agape.
Photo 2. Winners and participants of the ASEAN Sparks Final Pitching Day.
Since its first launch, ASEAN Sparks has attracted startups from across ASEAN Member States, providing them with an essential foundation to support their growth, navigate the Southeast Asian market, and contribute to the region's energy transition and climate commitments. In the Catalyse phase, the startups are equipped with the fundamentals through seven sessions of workshops that include:
- Business Strategy & Validation by Fajar Sastrowijoyo, Co-founder and CEO of Syntek Otomasi Indonesia.
- Market Expansion & Entry by Fathom Saulina, Director of SAKA Total Energy Management.
- Funding & Investment by Rebecca Chai, Venture Associate of Plug and Play Japan.
- Partnership & Governance by Architrandi Priambodo, Senior Energy Specialist of the Asian Development Bank.
- Sustainability & Impact by Dr. Renard Siew, Group Head of Corporate Sustainability of Yinson and President of the Malaysia Carbon Market Association (MCMA).
- Intellectual Property & Strategy by Dr. Ahmad Zulfikri Taning, Patent Engineer.
- Pitching & Communication by Mada Ayu Habsari, Chairwoman of Asosiasi Energi Surya Indonesia.
"ASEAN stands at a crossroads where rapid energy demand growth, climate vulnerabilities, and untapped renewable potential converge. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are at the heart of addressing these challenges. Yet, many face the ‘innovation valley of death’ between research and commercialisation," said Noboru Zama, Industrial Development Expert at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
“Today celebrates a significant milestone in ASEAN’s efforts to advance clean energy innovation. The ASEAN Sparks Programme was created to accelerate growth of clean energy and climate-tech startups, turning bright ideas into solutions that drive our transition toward a low-carbon and inclusive energy future. On behalf of the Project Steering Committee, I congratulate all finalists for reaching this stage. Your creativity and determination truly represents ASEAN’s spirit of innovation,” said Ir. Ts. Zulkiflee Umar, Director of Energy Efficiency & Conservation at the Energy Commission Malaysia, as the Chair of the Project Steering Committee.
“Climate tech startups in ASEAN play a vital role in bridging innovation with implementation, and supporting their growth and empowerment will drive ASEAN’s transition to clean energy. Through ASEAN Sparks, we commit to equipping these startups with the necessary opportunities and resources to scale, connect, and create lasting impact for the region’s sustainable and clean energy future,” said Naing Naing Linn, Head of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) Department at the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE).
Complementing his colleague, Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Energy Modelling and Policy Planning (MPP) Department at ACE said, "As we embark on the ASEAN Sparks Final Pitching Day, let us remember that what we are nurturing here extends far beyond individual startups. We are shaping an ecosystem of collaboration, resilience, and innovation that will power ASEAN’s sustainable future. To all the participating startups, congratulations on reaching this stage."
Through ASEAN Sparks, ACE, supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF)are working to bridge this gap by empowering clean energy and climate tech startups with the resources, networks, and support they need to scale solutions that will shape a sustainable and resilient future for the region.
