The DBS Foundation is on a mission to find and support groundbreaking businesses from around the world that are tackling the urgent challenges of an ageing society head-on. We seek visionary solutions that enhance the quality of life, revolutionise healthcare and nutrition, combat social isolation, build a dynamic multigenerational workforce, and ensure financial resilience for the vulnerable amongst us.
The DBS Foundation Impact Beyond Award is not just an award—it’s a movement. A movement to scale bold ideas and drive real, sustainable impact. We are looking for the trailblazers and change-makers who see the ageing population not as a problem, but as an opportunity to innovate and create longevity solutions.
Join us in transforming the narrative on ageing. Together, we can build a future where every person, at every age, can live with dignity, purpose, and joy.
We are on the lookout for innovative solutions that address longevity needs of ageing societies,
that can be extended to vulnerable communities.
These could include:
Businesses with other transformative longevity solutions are also welcome to apply.
Social enterprises and small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) with an annual total revenue of
at least *S$5 million in the most recent financial year
*Or have a clear path towards achieving
this revenue in the
next three years (by end 2027)
Transformative impact for an ageing society
Collaborative ecosystem approach to scale impact
Innovative and disruptive business models that address pressing needs
Ambitious with actionable plans for scaling up
Visionary leadership team, motivated to take things to the next level
Embark on a transformative journey to fuel your business growth.
Receive up to S$1 million to scale impact
Be mentored by DBS management and business leaders
Enjoy greater access to networking and collaboration opportunities
Become a key part of the DBS Foundation regional community
Applications open till 30 November 2024, 2359 SGT.
Evaluation of applications.
Awardees will be announced.
To be eligible for evaluation for the 2024 Award, you need to submit your application before 30 November 2024, 2359 hrs SGT.
Successful submissions will receive an auto-generated acknowledgement of receipt of your online application via email.
No, there is no save button in the application form. Instead, you may download the form template to prepare and save your draft responses. Once all your responses are ready and you have consolidated all the required documents, you can copy your answers in the online submission for the final submission.
No. All applications need to be submitted through the online form. Submissions via other means will not be accepted.
Only one application will be accepted per entity. If multiple applications are submitted for the same entity for the same grant type, only the most recent submission will be considered before the closing date.
Applicants will be notified of their application outcome by March 2025. Actual dates will be communicated later.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, and to ensure fairness and equality among applicants, we do not accept meetings with applicants. Only applications submitted online will be assessed by DBS Foundation. Please note that applications that are incomplete or do not provide clear information will be rejected.
The use of the award funding is not exhaustive as long as it supports the scaling of the business and social impact in an impactful way.
The DBS Foundation is governed by the Personal Data Protection Act and the information you provide will be secure. By participating in the Award application process, you consent to DBS Foundation collecting and using your personal particulars (including but not limited to name and contact details) for purposes of the DBS Foundation Impact Beyond Award. DBS Foundation will not use your personal particulars for any other purpose. All personal particulars provided to DBS Foundation will be kept secure and processed in accordance with all applicable laws.
Entities that are registered as not-for-profit, sole proprietorship, charities, religious organisations for religious purposes, election campaigns, general fund-raising drives or event sponsorships will not be eligible for the grant.
Your business needs to address the needs of an ageing society, and demonstrate transformative impact.
Yes, but you need to show a clear path to profitability, including the time taken and efforts needed to reach break-even point. We are looking for businesses that have very strong business growth that is both scalable and financially sustainable.
SE and SME applicants which have previously received grants from DBS Bank and its affiliates, subsidiaries (“DBS”) and/or DBSF, may apply for the Award, only if previously awarded grant(s) has expired. Being a former DBSF grantee awardee does not guarantee successful application to future grants. Every application will be assessed independently on its own merits.
Yes. Each year, applications are reviewed independently. You may submit an application for the Impact Beyond Award.
Business entities in India are required to provide evidence of having FCRA approval, or the ability to meet the following criteria:
DBS Foundation is unable to award funding to entities that do not meet the above criteria.
Applicants will be evaluated by a panel of industry experts.
Applications are protected in the spirit of non-disclosure, and all submitted materials will be treated as confidential. Employees of DBS Bank and DBS Foundation, any agents or external advisors who have access to applications as part of the evaluation process are bound to confidentiality. Information submitted by applicants will not be distributed to any other parties unless requested by the applicant. No other provisions are made to protect intellectual property.
While no information will be shared on public platforms, if you have/are in the process of filing patent(s), please do not disclose critical information which would affect a successful filing until you have been confirmed as a shortlisted applicant for local and/or final evaluation.
You should reveal information that you are comfortable and have the right to reveal.
If shortlisted, there will be a combination of interviews and a pitching session.
The decision of the evaluation panel is final. Yes, you can apply again next year.
If you have been successful in your application, we will discuss with you on the award funding purpose, milestones, deliverables and timeline. The award purpose must be aligned to the objective of scaling up your business solution and impact. Milestones need to be measurable and achievable before the end of award term.
The funding is awarded based on the plan you have presented to the evaluation panel. Therefore, we will not allow for a change in the proposed use of funds after in-principle approval has been received. DBS Foundation reserves the right to withdraw the Award if the intended use changes.
The award funding cannot be used to fund past activities or events. It can only be used for expenses which are incurred after the Award agreement has been signed.
Once each milestone is achieved, the Awardee will need to submit the agreed deliverables to DBS Foundation for review and approval, to our satisfaction. The funds will be disbursed after approval is obtained.
All grantees are expected to submit a regular progress update on their business and social impact once every six months, and financial statements annually.