Connect with us

Technology

Humble Sustainability Secures Strategic Investment from ADB Ventures to Drive Expansion Across Southeast Asia

Published

on

MANILA, Philippines, Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Humble Sustainability (“Humble”), a Philippines-based climate tech startup, has announced a significant milestone in its journey towards creating a circular economy in Southeast Asia. The company has successfully closed a pre-Series A funding round led by Gobi Partners (through its Gobi-Core Philippine Fund) alongside major investors ADB Ventures (ADBV), the Asian Development Bank‘s venture arm, and the Philippines government through the National Development Company (NDC). This strategic investment will enable Humble to expand its operations beyond the Philippines and enhance its technology offerings, particularly by developing its proprietary Climate Dashboard platform.

A Vision for a Circular Economy

An estimated $62.5 billion worth of discarded technology components end up in landfills annually.[1] Humble Sustainability created its B2B trading platform in 2022 to enable corporations to securely recycle and refurbish their used IT equipment, helping them meet their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals while reducing electronic waste.

Founded in 2021, Humble has emerged as a leader in the climate sector. It is focused on transforming how businesses handle electronic waste. Humble aims to increase the value of unwanted assets by up to five times through its innovative platform, currently boasting a 40% take rate.

CEO and co-founder Josef Werker, inspired by his mother’s activism and the sustainable lifestyle she encouraged growing up, is on a mission to make one billion items circular by 2030. “Achieving sustainability is a team effort. Humble wants to be at the forefront of connecting that ecosystem and inspiring people and businesses to join the collaboration,” said Werker.

Innovating for Impact: The Climate Dashboard

A key component of Humble’s future strategy is the development of its Climate Dashboard. This tool will provide businesses with real-time data on their environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions and waste diverted from landfills. The dashboard will first be accessible to Humble’s clients, followed by a public release. Humble’s approach tracks environmental metrics and actively improves them by bringing electronic waste back into circularity.

“The Climate Dashboard is designed to solve one of the biggest challenges businesses face today: understanding and improving their climate impact. We believe that with the right data, companies can set realistic targets, track progress, and ultimately achieve their sustainability goals,” Werker explained.

Strategic Investment from ADB Ventures

The partnership with ADB Ventures is crucial to Humble’s growth strategy. The investment will support Humble’s three-phase expansion plan, beginning with scaling operations within the Philippines and moving into crowded Southeast Asian markets in Indonesia and Thailand by the end of 2026. This expansion will enable Humble to tap into a $13 billion market opportunity across the region, positioning itself as a leading player in the recommerce of electronic assets.

ADB Ventures’ investment will bolster Humble’s tech and sales teams and enhance its B2B marketing efforts. This financial boost is pivotal as Humble plans to launch its B2C model in 2025 to source and sell second-hand items directly to consumers.

“Humble’s innovative platform addresses the challenge of improperly disposed electronic waste in Southeast Asia. By leveraging technology, Humble makes e-waste management efficient and accessible for businesses in the region. Solutions like Humble are essential for driving circular economy practices. We are excited to support Humble’s mission to revolutionise e-waste management and create an environmental impact in the Philippines and beyond,” said Thitirat Sittakaradej of ADB Ventures.

A Word from the National Development Company

“The NDC-SVF has invested in Humble Sustainability because of its crucial role in making the circular economy a reality. Humble has integrated ESG principles into its business by bringing old office equipment back into circularity, allowing businesses and individuals access to affordable, pre-loved electronic assets. This model reduces e-waste and challenges the stigma that second-hand electronics are no longer valuable,” said an NDC spokesperson.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Horizons

As Humble continues to grow, the company remains committed to reducing electronic waste and promoting sustainable practices across Asia. By 2026, Humble plans to explore additional categories, such as clothing, applying its technology-driven circular solutions to new sectors.

With its headquarters in Manila and a holding company in Singapore, Humble is poised to take charge of creating a sustainable future for Southeast Asia and beyond. This latest round of funding provides the resources necessary for expansion and reaffirms its investors’ confidence in Humble’s vision and potential.

About Humble Sustainability

Humble is the Philippines’ leading climate technology company on a mission to bring back one billion items into circularity. We help businesses securely recycle and refurbish their tech equipment and work hand in hand with our clients to create, track and achieve their ESG initiatives.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/humble-sustainability-secures-strategic-investment-from-adb-ventures-to-drive-expansion-across-southeast-asia-302242829.html

SOURCE Humble Sustainability

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

TiTE x IHT 2026: The Definitive Hub for Taiwan’s Hardware Manufacturing Excellence

Published

on

By

TAICHUNG, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When sourcing from Taiwan, location is the ultimate strategic advantage. Don’t be misled by smaller, general trade shows held in city centers like Taipei. To truly connect with the source, you must go where the products are born. TiTE x IHT (Oct 20-22, 2026) in Taichung is the undisputed largest and most vital hardware industrial expo on the island. Hosted directly in the heart of Taiwan’s precision manufacturing cluster, this event features 1,000+ booths and 500+ top-tier manufacturers, offering a scale and industrial depth that no other exhibition can replicate.

Why Global Buyers Choose the Taichung Source Over Urban Trade Shows:

The Revolutionary “Exhibition as Factory” Model: Taichung is the global epicenter for hardware, home to 70% of Taiwan’s industry output. Our unique location enables the “30-Minute Sourcing Circle.” This allows you to verify high-end samples on the show floor in the morning and audit world-class production lines by the afternoon. By eliminating the travel gap between the booth and the factory, we reduce traditional procurement cycles from weeks to hours, providing unmatched transparency for R&D, capacity assessment, and quality control.ESG & CBAM Compliance for Western Markets: As the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and global ESG mandates reshape trade, our exhibitors are already ahead of the curve. Discover CBAM-ready solutions and green manufacturing processes specifically designed to meet the strict sustainability requirements of the European and American markets. We provide more than just tools; we provide carbon-footprint-managed resilience for your brand.AI-Driven Smart Manufacturing: Address global labor shortages and rising costs with Taiwan’s latest innovations. The 2026 expo focuses on “AI Empowerment,” showcasing collaborative robotics, automated digital inspection, and data-driven supply chain management. These technologies ensure lead-time stability and high-precision consistency for premium global brand owners.Direct Sourcing & Global Matchmaking: Skip the middlemen and trading agencies. Our “Global Buyer Day” offers exclusive, pre-arranged matchmaking with the actual OEMs/ODMs. This is the primary decision-making platform for major distributors seeking resilient, direct-to-factory partnerships that guarantee the best pricing and priority production slots.

Experience the synergy of smart manufacturing and global trade. Stop at the source—where the world’s hardware is actually built. Secure your competitive edge in the true heart of the industry.

【TiTE x IHT】

Date: October 20-22, 2026Venue: TICEC, Taichung, TaiwanRegister Now: https://accu.ps/g8MZ1SHousing Subsidy: https://forms.gle/34VHVxSrEw7g8GxDAOfficial Website: https://www.hardwareexpotw.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tite-x-iht-2026-the-definitive-hub-for-taiwans-hardware-manufacturing-excellence-302763625.html

SOURCE TiTE x IHT

Continue Reading

Technology

KIST Accelerates U.S. Expansion of Quantum Deep-Tech Startups Through SelectUSA 2026

Published

on

By

SEOUL, South Korea, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) President Oh Sang-rok announced that it will participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026 as part of a Korean delegation, together with quantum technology startups supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups under the Deeptech Project (DIPS).

The initiative, supported by South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), is part of the government’s “Deeptech Incubator Project for Startups” (DIPS) initiative, which aims to nurture globally competitive deep-tech ventures.

KIST, which serves as the lead institution for the quantum technology sector under the program, said it will oversee the global commercialization efforts of participating firms. In particular, the “Global Bridge Program,” jointly developed with the U.S. Embassy in Korea in September 2025, is an official program designed to generate tangible overseas expansion outcomes by linking investment attraction with local market entry through diplomatic channels.

Organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the SelectUSA Investment Summit is the largest investment promotion event in the US, connecting international startups with venture capital firms, corporate investors and state-level economic development agencies.

It serves as an execution-oriented platform that extends to investment, corporate establishment, site selection, and tax incentives, and is considered a key entry gateway for deep-tech companies, including those in quantum technology.

KIST said participation in the summit is particularly significant for deep-tech sectors such as quantum technology, where access to the US innovation ecosystem is seen as key to growth.

The program is conducted in two stages. From April 30 to May 1, companies took part in a spin-off program hosted by the State of Maryland, which included visits to research institutions and tours of the regional quantum technology ecosystem.

During this period, the delegation also conducted localized activities with the Maryland state government and its economic development agencies, focusing on investment attraction, corporate collaboration, and joint R&D. In addition, on May 5, the delegation held discussions with U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary William Kimmitt on potential areas of cooperation.

The delegation will also meet officials from Fairfax County Government to explore collaboration and investment opportunities.

The main summit, currently ongoing from May 3 to May 6, features exhibitions, pitching sessions and meetings with US state representatives, with participating firms expected to engage in discussions on investment and market entry.

The delegation is structured to encompass the entire quantum industry rather than a single technology domain.

The Korean delegation comprises five startups, alongside Kyung Hee University Department of Future Science & Technology Commercialization Policy and Entrepreneurship, with approximately 20 participants forming an integrated ecosystem that combines research institutes, academia, and startups, enabling a full-cycle support system from technology validation to commercialization and global expansion.

One of the firms, OptiQ-Labs, was selected for an official pitching session on May 4, where it presented its laser-based optical modules designed for ion-trap quantum computing systems.

This highly competitive program selects only around 100 companies from more than 20,000 applicants worldwide. If selected as the winner of the pitching session, the company will receive follow-up meetings with U.S. state governments and economic development agencies, access to global investor networks, support for local entity establishment, and connections to site selection and tax incentive programs.

Other participating companies include QUAD, which develops single-photon detection technology; SLEEX, focused on underwater sensing; Elixir (StatUp AI), which works on quantum-classical hybrid algorithms for healthcare; and SQK (QMEDIC), specializing in physics-based imaging solutions.

KIST Project Director, Kang Sunjoon, said, “This program represents a critical milestone for Korean quantum startups to directly connect with global investors and industry ecosystems. Via the DIPS program, we are actively promoting the global commercialization of quantum technologies.”

Through its participation in SelectUSA, KIST has established a package-type global expansion model that integrates technology validation, investment attraction, and U.S. market entry.

The summit serves as a turning point for South Korea’s quantum sector, enabling startups to move into the next phase of validation, investment, and overseas expansion.

For more information, visit https://eng.kist.re.kr/.

About KIST 

KIST was established in 1966 as the first government-funded research institute in South Korea. KIST now strives to solve national and social challenges and secure growth engines through leading and innovative research.

About Participating Quantum Startups

QUAD, led by Chief Executive Officer, Oh Byung-doo, develops quantum sensing technologies based on superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), offering high sensitivity and precision with applications spanning quantum communication, quantum computing, semiconductor inspection, and defense.

SLEEX is developing an advanced perception technology that combines quantum LiDAR and electric field sensing to overcome limitations of existing underwater sensors, particularly by eliminating blind zones within the 0–2 meter range, with strong potential in autonomous navigation, maritime security, and defense, with Lee Jeho at the helm as Chief Executive Officer.  (https://www.thesleex.com)

Elixir, headed by Chief Executive Officer Jang Jung-kwon, develops a drug discovery and biomarker analysis platform based on quantum-classical hybrid algorithms, targeting the precision medicine market through the integration of bioinformatics and quantum machine learning. (statupai.com)

SQK develops medical imaging AI based on quantum-physics constraints, addressing the hallucination issues of conventional AI by ensuring physical consistency in CT and MRI reconstruction. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Kim Yoon-hak, SQK is improving reliability and reducing the need for re-scans in clinical settings. (www.sqkcloud.com)

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kist-accelerates-us-expansion-of-quantum-deep-tech-startups-through-selectusa-2026-302763636.html

SOURCE The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)

Continue Reading

Technology

Former Visa Asia Pacific Executive David Tay Joins YeahPay as Global Vice President

Published

on

By

SINGAPORE, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — YeahPay, the international payment brand under YEAHKA (9923.HK), has appointed David Tay, a former senior executive at Visa Asia Pacific, as Global Vice President, tasking him with overseeing the strategic direction and product ecosystem development of YEAHKA’s overseas payment business. The appointment comes as global digital trade enters a new phase defined by ecosystem integration, with payment infrastructure undergoing a generational shift in acceleration.

David Tay, a Singaporean national, is a rising leader in the payments industry. During his career at Visa, David played a key role in driving business growth across multiple Southeast Asian markets, demonstrating early promise in commercial insight and innovation. He subsequently moved into Visa’s Innovation division, where he rose to serve as Head of Innovation, leading Visa Pacific’s product innovation and new business.

In that capacity, David led the commercialization of cutting-edge payment paradigms including Visa Flex Credential and Pay by Palm. He was also involved in the evaluation and governance of strategic partners across the region, accumulating deep expertise in collaborating with banks, fintechs, and large-scale enterprise merchants.

David’s track record spans the full go-to-market lifecycle, from concept to pilot to scale, as well as deep capabilities in cross-institutional partnerships and ecosystem development. His appointment comes at an inflection point for YEAHKA’s international expansion. According to YEAHKA’s 2025 annual report, its overseas business delivered full-year Gross Payment Volume (GPV) surpassing RMB 5 billion, representing a 323.3% year-on-year surge from RMB 1.1 billion in 2024.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/former-visa-asia-pacific-executive-david-tay-joins-yeahpay-as-global-vice-president-302763652.html

SOURCE Yeahka

Continue Reading

Trending