The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Singapore-based Trigger Asset Management have launched a strategic partnership to mobilize capital and expand support for startups and businesses aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The initiative, named “Origin,” is led by UNDP’s Alternative Finance Lab (AltFinLab) and aims to strengthen the global impact investing ecosystem by enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accessibility of funding opportunities for mission-driven ventures.
The collaboration brings together UNDP’s global development expertise with Trigger’s deep experience in sustainable and scalable investment solutions.
As part of the initiative, Origin will co-develop digital infrastructure and targeted investment strategies to help early-stage and growth-stage SDG-focused businesses scale sustainably.
Key components include the creation of a next-generation AI and Web3-powered digital platform designed to facilitate real-time engagement between startups and investors and streamline collaboration across the impact investing value chain.
Origin will also build a comprehensive, interactive database featuring startups and businesses supported by UNDP’s accelerator programs.
The platform will enable smarter matchmaking between ventures, investors, and donors, increasing visibility and capital access for promising enterprises.
In addition, the partnership will deliver tailored capacity-building efforts, including training in SDG impact measurement, agile project design, business development, and innovative financing.
A Digital MBA and a series of peer-learning workshops will further support founders and business leaders in enhancing their organizational and investment readiness.
Trigger Asset Management, which focuses on building impact-oriented financial ecosystems, said the initiative is a step toward redefining how impact capital is sourced and applied—aligning financial returns with measurable social and environmental progress.
By combining UNDP’s global development network with Trigger’s private-sector investment capabilities, the Origin initiative is positioned to unlock capital for a new generation of businesses tackling complex global issues—from climate change and inequality to health and education.
The collaboration reflects a growing demand for investment solutions that not only drive financial returns but also deliver long-term, systemic impact in emerging and underserved markets.
