[Left–Right] Mr. Yasushi Masaki, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD; Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director, ASEAN Foundation; Ms. Margaux Salcedo, Undersecretary, Department of Budget and Management and Moderator; and Mr. Shombi Sharp, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations ESCAP.
ASEAN SEDP Elevate Brings Two Social Enterprises to ASEAN MSME Summit and Inclusive Business Forum 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Two social enterprises from the ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme (ASEAN SEDP) Elevate took part in the ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum and MSME Summit 2026, held on September 21–22 in Manila, with support from the ASEAN Foundation and SAP.
Selected for their progress under the ASEAN SEDP Elevate mentorship program, MAGWAI, a sustainable personal care enterprise, and Real Bean Coffee, a Vietnamese coffee business focused on improving farmers’ livelihoods, were given the opportunity to showcase their products and engage with investors, business partners, and potential regional markets.
Their participation underscores the program’s goal of helping social enterprises turn community-based solutions into sustainable businesses capable of expanding their impact across ASEAN.
“ASEAN SEDP is part of our commitment to fostering a more connected and inclusive ASEAN ecosystem where social enterprises can collaborate and access opportunities beyond their home markets. Through ASEAN SEDP Elevate, we continue to create pathways for social enterprises to grow and expand their impact across the region,” said Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation.
MAGWAI and Real Bean Coffee showcase their products
The two enterprises presented their products to participants and visitors at the MSME Summit, highlighting how social enterprises can combine commercial activity with community and environmental impact.
Denise Sze, Marketing Lead of MAGWAI, and Nerissa Buarao from the company’s sales team showcased MAGWAI’s sustainable personal care products, while Van Thi Loan, Founder of Real Bean Coffee, presented the Vietnamese coffee enterprise’s offerings.
Launched in 2026 as a continuation of the ASEAN SEDP, ASEAN SEDP Elevate brings together 17 alumni from 10 ASEAN Member States and connects them with experts who can help address specific business priorities and prepare their enterprises for sustainable growth.
Following an assessment of their needs, participating social enterprises were placed into one of five specialized tracks: Market Access, Investment Readiness, Social Impact, AI, or Custom.
The program provides customized mentorship, business matchmaking with investors and strategic partners, and SAP Masterclasses focused on the practical application of artificial intelligence in market access, investment readiness, and social impact measurement.
Through its partnership with the ASEAN Foundation, SAP is also supporting social entrepreneurs in developing the digital capabilities and confidence needed to apply technology to real-world business challenges.
As a global provider of enterprise applications and business AI, SAP leads the program’s Masterclasses, providing participants with practical knowledge and tools they can use to address business and social-impact challenges.
“At SAP, we believe meaningful digital transformation begins when people have the skills and confidence to apply technology to real-world challenges. That belief is at the heart of our partnership with the ASEAN Foundation through ASEAN SEDP Elevate. We are not simply providing access to AI tools, we are investing in the entrepreneurs and innovators who are driving positive change in their communities. By equipping social enterprises with practical digital and AI capabilities, we are helping build a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready economy across Southeast Asia,” said Liher Urbizu, President and Managing Director, SAP Southeast Asia.
ASEAN SEDP builds a regional social enterprise network
ASEAN SEDP Elevate builds on the four-year track record of the ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme, which has supported 401 social entrepreneurs from 100 social enterprises across 10 ASEAN Member States.
According to the program, participating enterprises have collectively reached 6,241,157 people through their solutions. The initiative has also placed emphasis on inclusion, with 83% of participating enterprises led by women and 17 employing persons with disabilities (PWDs), including seven PWD-led enterprises.
More than 65% of alumni reported that the program strengthened their strategic leadership capabilities, while more than half reported revenue and profit increases ranging from 5% to 194%.
MAGWAI’s experience provides one example of how the program’s support can contribute to the development of an ASEAN social enterprise.
“ASEAN SEDP Elevate has strengthened our strategy for growth through valuable mentorship and new connections. We hope to build on these lessons to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and create lasting value for the communities we serve,” said Czarina Carbonel, Co-Founder & CEO of MAGWAI.
Philippines hosts ASEAN social enterprise community
As ASEAN Chair for 2026, the Philippines hosted the ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum as a platform for social enterprises, governments, businesses, and investors to strengthen regional connections and highlight community-driven solutions from across Southeast Asia.
The event also provided a venue for social entrepreneurs to explore potential partnerships, market opportunities, and investment connections across the region.
“As the ASEAN Chair for 2026, the Philippines is proud to once again welcome ASEAN’s social enterprise community. Social enterprises and MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, and they are the ones that grow our communities and uplift Filipino families. Hosting them from across the region at the ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum gives our government, businesses, and investors a direct window into the innovative, community-driven solutions being developed throughout Southeast Asia. In line with President Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, the DTI is committed to supporting platforms like ASEAN SEDP Elevate that open doors for our social entrepreneurs to access new markets, partnerships, and investment,” said Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of SME Development (DTI-BSMED) OIC Director Faye L. Solina.
With ASEAN SEDP Elevate, the ASEAN Foundation and SAP are continuing efforts to connect social enterprises with mentorship, digital tools, investors, and regional networks, helping community-focused businesses prepare for sustainable growth and broader ASEAN engagement.
