The fintech ecosystem in Singapore continues to thrive and Australian-born global fintech leader Airwallex is stepping up its efforts to give back.
Through Airwallex Impact, the company is strengthening its social impact to support startups, drive innovation, and foster philanthropy in Singapore and beyond.
Making Philanthropy a Priority
Airwallex joined the Pledge 1% movement in November 2024, committing 1% of its equity, valued at over US$56 million, as well as 1% of employee time, profits, and products to community and philanthropic efforts.
This sustainable model ensures Airwallex’s growth is directly tied to its ability to contribute to society.
Additionally, Airwallex is ramping up its Airwallex for Startups programme, which seeks to empower startups to grow and scale their businesses effectively.
The programme, which first launched in Hong Kong in 2023, is now live in Singapore and Australia.
To date, more than 2,000 startups have benefitted from perks including networking events, partner offers and mentorship.
Supporting Singapore’s Thriving Startup Ecosystem
Singapore’s strategic location and robust fintech landscape make it an ideal hub for innovation.
Airwallex’s efforts in Singapore reflect its recognition of the city-state’s pivotal role in driving entrepreneurship.
The Singapore Fintech Association (SFA) has welcomed the launch of Airwallex Impact.
“We are encouraged by the launch of Airwallex Impact globally, especially as it commits to Pledge 1% and more towards corporate philanthropy through a sustained model,”
said Shadab Taiyabi, President of SFA.
This month, Airwallex awarded its first SG$10,000 Level-Up Business Grant to Nalini Veeraghanta, Co-Founder and COO of NatureThings, a promising Singapore-based startup that consolidates services to integrate nature into urban environments for human and spatial wellbeing.
Veeraghanta secured the grant after a competitive pitch against eight other finalists before a panel of judges from the Singapore Fintech Association (SFA), Tin Men Capital, iGlobe Partners, and Airwallex.
“We will use this grant to build an IoT sensor prototype to measure humidity and soil moisture levels of plants,” winner Veeraghanta shared.
This initiative reflects her dedication to sustainable and innovative solutions, much like the broader goals of Airwallex Impact.
By offering direct support to entrepreneurs like Veeraghanta, Airwallex is unlocking the next level of growth for startups by providing them with essential access to funding, tools and networks needed to scale their business.
Building a Culture of Giving
The Airwallex Impact programme isn’t just about financial contributions, it also encourages employees to give back via their time and expertise.
Starting in 2025, all 1,600+ Airwallex staff will dedicate three days per year to volunteering.
Two days will support Airwallex Impact initiatives, while the third can be spent on any not-for-profit organisation of their choice.
This builds on Airwallex’s track record of empowering communities.
Through initiatives like the AI Build Club and mentoring programmes with Techstars in Australia, Airwallex has supported underrepresented founders and helped startups overcome barriers in technology and innovation.
Jack Zhang, CEO and Co-founder of Airwallex, emphasised the importance of giving back,
“Airwallex’s people are among the brightest and boldest across a range of disciplines. Their expertise has been core to our growth, and the learnings they’ve amassed as part of a fast-growth startup are immense.
Beyond building our own company, there’s great rewards and joy to be found in paying that forward to help the entire ecosystem to flourish.”
Empowering Communities Through Education and Innovation
Airwallex’s philanthropic journey began in 2022 with an official partnership with the University of Melbourne to fund scholarships for students from diverse backgrounds.
In addition to financial support, the partnership has provided mentoring and interning opportunities, helping students gain valuable skills and real-world experience.
Airwallex Impact aims to expand these efforts to Singapore and beyond, supporting talented students as they strive to become tomorrow’s tech leaders.
Starting in mid-2025, Airwallex will also offer discounted products to select non-profits, enabling them to access cutting-edge fintech tools at reduced costs.
This aims to ensure non-profit organisations can maximise their impact with the best technology available.
A Shared Vision for Fintech Excellence
Airwallex’s initiatives align with Singapore’s vision of fostering innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
“We are encouraged that Airwallex, an Australia-born startup turned global unicorn, has launched Airwallex Impact. This growth will formalise Airwallex’s corporate philanthropy efforts to promote a more inclusive and sustainable world.
Airwallex’s continued expansion, particularly across Southeast Asia, aligns with Austrade’s mission to support Australian businesses. We are proud of their global success and look forward to seeing the power of Airwallex Impact,”
said Austrade.
The Road Ahead
Airwallex Impact is more than a philanthropy programme, it’s a long-term plan to integrate social responsibility into the company’s operations.
This approach sets a new standard for the fintech industry, demonstrating how business success and community support can go hand in hand.
As Airwallex expands its presence in Singapore and the region, its focus on empowering startups, fostering innovation, and giving back will continue to drive positive change.
“By leveraging a strong ecosystem and the support from fellow innovators, fintechs have the ability to be a force for good,” Taiyabi added. “ We look forward to seeing more like-minded companies embark on such initiatives and we will continue to support them in creating a robust ecosystem for all to thrive in.”
Airwallex’s efforts reflect a new chapter in purpose-driven growth, where innovation and social impact come together to create meaningful and long-lasting value.
