Global Mentorship Programme Amplifier Launches New Employment Track to Boost Inclusive Growth and Workforce Resilience Across Asia
Published on 18/11/2025
Global Mentorship Programme Amplifier Launches New Employment Track to Boost Inclusive Growth and Workforce Resilience Across Asia 
Singapore, 19 November 2025 — The Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA), in collaboration with the Macquarie Group Foundation, today announced the mentee cohort for the new Unlocking Opportunities and Breaking Down Barriers to Employment track (“Employment track”) of their global mentorship programme, the Amplifier. The Amplifier, led by CIIP and PAA, and supported by a network of more than 70 partners, identifies and scales promising solutions to address critical gaps in Asia’s sustainable development landscape. The 2025 Employment track supports companies that are enabling long-term employability for underserved people in Asia. The cohort comprises BagoSphere, DeafTawk, and Inclus:
Many workers remain excluded from higher opportunity roles, held back by skills mismatches and misaligned employer expectations. To bridge this gap, targeted upskilling, early exposure, and strong industry partnerships are essential to building future-ready careers. The Employment track spotlights innovative impact ventures that are driving solutions in these areas – from developing early career pathways and youth skills training, to promoting fair recruitment, workforce resilience, and equitable opportunities for underrepresented communities. Details on the mentees can be found in the Appendix. Supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation as Impact Innovation Partner, the Amplifier will provide each mentee on the Employment track with up to S$100,000 in catalytic capital. Mentees will also receive year-long tailored support, including deep industry expertise and market navigation strategies, from Strategic Partners NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and Generation Hong Kong, as well as other cross-sector partners. NTUC’s e2i will contribute strategic perspectives drawn from its experience facilitating jobseekers in their career journey, and its network of National Career Centres to help mentees develop practical and meaningful employment pathways. Generation Hong Kong will contribute its on-the-ground understanding of the fast-evolving education-to-employment landscape in Hong Kong and globally, and its broad network of corporate partners, to support the mentees’ next phase of development and growth. The cohort was launched as part of the Global Impact Chapter (GIC) 2025. GIC is an annual regional gathering that brings together changemakers from across Asia to exchange ideas, explore partnerships, and discuss the future of impact-driven innovation. Co-organised by Merry Year Social Company (MYSC), CIIP, JLIN LLC, and Extra-Mile Ventures SG (EMV SG), the Global Impact Chapter 2025, themed Risking Boldly, Building Bravely: Catalysing a Borderless Asian Impact Economy, will spotlight collaborative leadership and cross-border venture-building across Asia. As part of the event, Dawn Chan, CEO, CIIP and Susan Clear, Global Head of Social Impact Investing, Macquarie Group Foundation, discussed the role of catalytic capital and holistic capacity-building support to help early-stage organisations demonstrate viability, attract follow-on investment, and scale solutions in key impact areas. Susan Clear, Global Head, Social Impact Investing, Macquarie Group Foundation, said “Congratulations to the three Employment Track mentees. The cohort was selected for their innovative thinking and early successes, demonstrating the power of tailored, impactful ventures to drive lasting change. Macquarie Group Foundation and its employees look forward to supporting these initiatives and helping the mentee organisations expand their reach and impact.” “Employment remains one of the most powerful levers for equitable growth. Our Employment track’s mentees have demonstrated clear strategy and early impact in meeting the rising demand for scalable, localised solutions that create quality jobs and sustainable livelihoods,” said Dawn Chan, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Impact Investing and Practices. “It is only through cross-sector collaboration that we can strengthen the ecosystem and scale enduring, financially sustainable impact. We’re deeply grateful to the Macquarie Group Foundation and all our partners for their unwavering support of the Amplifier.” Mentees Selected Through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration The three mentees, impact-focused organisations operating across Southeast Asia and beyond, were identified through a rigorous, consultative selection process supported by Amplifier partners with extensive expertise in employment, inclusion, and social innovation. Participating partners included Dalberg, Deloitte Singapore, e2i, Generation Hong Kong, OCTAVE Capital, SG Enable, Social Ventures Hong Kong, Temasek Foundation, and Tri-Sector Associates. For more information on the Amplifier, please visit: https://philanthropyasiaalliance.org/our-impact/the-amplifier/2025. You can also reach out to the Amplifier team at [email protected]. END NOTES TO EDITORS About Centre for Impact Investing and Practices The Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (“CIIP”) was established in 2022 as a non-profit entity by Temasek Trust to foster impact investing and practices in Asia and beyond by building and sharing knowledge, bringing together stakeholders in the community, and bringing about positive action that accelerates the adoption of impact investing principles and practices. CIIP is the anchor partner for the United Nation Development Programme’s Private Finance for the SDGs, providing Asia investors and businesses with clarity, insights and tools that support their contributions towards achieving the SDGs. Temasek and ABC Impact are CIIP’s strategic partners. For more information, please visit www.ciip.com.sg. About Philanthropy Asia Alliance About Macquarie Group Foundation The Macquarie Group Foundation (Foundation) drives social impact work for Macquarie Group. The Foundation supports its people, businesses and communities to build a better future by leveraging both financial and non-financial resources to achieve the greatest social impact possible. In the year to 31 March 2025, the Foundation, together with Macquarie Group staff, contributed $A57 million to over 3,000 community organisations around the world and contributed over $A5.8 million in value donated through skilled volunteering. Since it was established in 1985, the Foundation and Macquarie staff have contributed $A698 million globally. For further information, visit macquarie.com/community. Priscilla Chun APPENDIX A) Amplifier 2025 Mentee Cohort for Unlocking Opportunities and Breaking Down Barriers to Employment  BagoSphere BagoSphere is a school for frontline workers and leaders. It builds human capability ecosystems across Southeast Asia — helping people grow from jobseekers to leaders. Starting with a community of 42,000 jobseekers and alumni, the organisation creates employability pathways that connect young people to meaningful roles in sectors such as microfinance, education, retail, hospitality, and transport. Beyond entry-level employability, BagoSphere focuses on career growth — supporting workers as they build the confidence, adaptability, and leadership needed to advance in their roles. Its programs have supported employers such as Grab, Alorica and Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation. BagoSphere aims to deepen its regional capabilities and partnerships to bring its human capability school to one million frontline workers across Southeast Asia.  DeafTawk DeafTawk is a tech-based social enterprise dedicated to empowering the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through innovation, inclusion, and employment. By leveraging advanced communication technology, DeafTawk bridges the gap between the hearing and non-hearing worlds — ensuring that accessibility and opportunity are within reach for all. DeafTawk’s mission is to empower millions of people by providing real-time interpretation services, accessibility tools, and digital skill development that open pathways to employment and financial independence. It believes that through employment comes financial empowerment, and through financial empowerment comes the amplification of all other forms of empowerment. Founded by individuals with disabilities who understand the challenges of communication barriers firsthand, DeafTawk is more than a company — it’s a movement toward a prosperous, equitable, and inclusive society.  Inclus Inclus is a leading social enterprise headquartered in Singapore dedicated to advancing disability inclusion through training, employment, and lifelong learning opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Since its founding, Inclus has worked closely with corporations, schools, and community partners to create inclusive pathways that empower individuals with disabilities to achieve meaningful employment and independence. B) Partners supporting the Amplifier 2025 Impact Innovation Partner
Strategic Partner (Textiles)
Strategic Partner (Employability)
Programme Partners
Industry Partners
Advisory Partners
Network Partners
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