The Tamesis
Across Asia Pacific, young startup and nonprofit founders are using entrepreneurial thinking and technology to fight for better environmental and human conditions.
timethree years ago, Huang Ansheng One night, he was in a cafe in Hong Kong and discovered unsold baked goods tossed in the trash. This prompted him to quit his job as a securities trader and instead work on solving the problem of food waste, which accounts for nearly 30% of the city’s solid waste, according to the Hong Kong government. with childhood friends Jerry LuoImperial College London graduate who co-founded a for-profit social enterprise Eat 100 2023. Its app offers leftover restaurant food in “surprise bags” at discounted prices — up to 70% off as restaurant closing time approaches. As of mid-April, the platform had more than 20 restaurants and more than 10,000 users. The app charges vendors a 10% commission on each sale and became profitable late last year, Wong said.
Huang and Luo are this year’s Forbes Asia 30 Under 30: Social Influencers They work to minimize food waste and address social and environmental issues across the region.
While other similar apps in the city target mid- to high-end restaurants, Eat100 focuses on budget food vendors located near universities, train stations and residential areas. The co-founders now plan to get farmers on board the app to sell produce that would otherwise be thrown away. “Addressing food waste is the most achievable goal for individuals to create social and environmental impact,” Huang said. “We hope this app can serve as a simple yet effective tool to do just that.” So far, Eat100 has received a total of HK$1.4 million (US$179,000) in funding from the government-backed Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks and Hong Kong Tech300, a start-up support program run by City University of Hong Kong.
Solving the problem of food waste is the most achievable goal for individuals to create social and environmental impact.
Japan also aims to tackle food waste Hashizume Kai, who co-founded Boone Converting food surplus into a low-cost insect protein source for aquaculture feed by 2022. The Nagasaki-based circular economy startup collects food waste from farms and processing plants and uses it to feed mealworms, reducing input costs while keeping organic waste out of landfills. Booon developed a proprietary process that makes the waste more digestible by mealworms, then converts the insects into a species-specific fishmeal “formula.” Hashizume said the startup is addressing rising fishmeal costs and concerns about overfishing of anchovies as a feed ingredient.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Bear Heyman and Benjamin Michelson co-founded full of food Unsold food is collected from approximately 170 supermarkets, cafes and bakeries and handed over to partner agencies for distribution to people in need, including asylum seekers and people fleeing domestic violence. Originally founded as a volunteer group in 2018, the Melbourne-based charity officially launched in 2020 and claims to have provided more than 1.1 million meals. Hyman resigned as CEO in early 2026 but remained a board member while Michelson was president.
Upgrade public infrastructure
In addition to food sustainability, this year’s social entrepreneurs are using robotics and construction technology to improve public infrastructure.
Shreeram Ravichandran and Gobinath Pandurangan, co-founders of Modulus Housing.
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In India, Shriram Ravichandran When floods devastated his hometown of Chennai in 2015, he saw firsthand the need for faster, more resilient construction. After completing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in 2018, he collaborated with classmates Gobinath Pandurangam Discover Modular housing. The startup produces low-rise modular buildings that can be installed in two days. Modulus said it has built more than 1,200 buildings, including rapid response hospitals, schools and warehouses. In December 2025, the startup raised Rs 70 crore ($7.8 million) in Series A funding led by Kalaari Capital and Samarthya Investment Advisors, along with conglomerate Hero Enterprise.
Across Asia, thousands of sanitation and industrial workers still enter dangerous confined spaces every day. Indian Shubham Vishwakma co-founded arc robot Keep them out of harm’s way. The deep tech startup is developing flexible, snake-like robotic arms designed to navigate tight, cluttered and unpredictable environments such as sewers, industrial storage tanks and city pipes. Its systems can perform inspection, cleaning and maintenance tasks in spaces where manual work often poses serious safety risks. Arc Robotics works with municipal agencies and industrial customers to automate hazardous tasks and improve safety standards for sanitation and industrial workers.
support marginalized groups
Some of this year’s inductees focus on empowering underrepresented communities. Girish Mehta and Anisha Sharmaboth of whom spent time in an orphanage, co-founded Circle of Inner Circle of Caregivers (CLiC) Forum Through 2021, the organization will support orphans in India and adopt them after they leave institutions and lose government assistance when they turn 18. The nonprofit helps these “caregivers” access housing, financial assistance, job training, mental health support and employment opportunities. For those who lack documentation such as a passport or ID card, the CLiC Forum verifies personal details and issues a digital “CLiC ID” which they can use to apply for government programs. The organization is supported by UNICEF, the Azim Premji Foundation and local governments.
Aishworya Shrestha, founder of Heart of Nepal.
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In Nepal, Aishwarya Shrestha Founded two non-profit organizations in her home country: heart of nepalworking with Dalit and Janajati families to help them access education and economic empowerment, and Antadoni Nepalwhich provides free mental health services, including services to victims of domestic violence. Shrestha has won the Miss Nepal 2022 beauty pageant, received a master’s degree in social work from Tribhuvan University in Nepal, and is currently pursuing a doctorate. Columbia University School of Social Work.
Paras Karula Yes COO Migrasia Global Solutionsis a charity registered in Hong Kong dedicated to combating forced labor across Asia. Migrasia, founded in 2018, claims to have recovered approximately HK$280 million (US$35 million) on behalf of migrant workers, including cancellation of illegal debts, refunds of agency fees and employment court recoveries. Since joining Migrasia in 2022, Kalura has overseen the charity’s technology development, such as PoBot, an AI-powered chatbot for migrant workers in need of legal advice.
Advocate for women’s health
Women’s health is another core focus this year for social entrepreneurs, who are building for-profit businesses to improve access to medical services and feminine hygiene products.
When I was 15, my mother died of breast cancer. Manami Yamada Decided to focus on women’s health in her career. In 2021, her company my figure Launched Mylily, an app to help women through menopause. Patients consult with doctors, obtain prescriptions and arrange for medication delivery via video chat. The Tokyo-based company has raised 160 million yen ($1 million) in funding, including from Anobaka.
In India, Shruti Chand established Narica By 2023, produce antibacterial and reusable menstrual underwear that could save up to 200 disposable pads over the three-year life of the garment. Its products have reached more than 50,000 women in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka through direct sales to consumers as well as NGOs and government agencies. In 2025, Narika received Rs 2.5 million from investors, including Saina Nehwal, India’s first Olympic badminton medalist.
Shruti Chand, Founder, Naarica.
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Similarly, Noorin Aisha Is a co-founder of women safetyis a direct-to-consumer startup that sells menstrual products such as menstrual cups and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional disposable pads. FemiSafe has also expanded to include wellness products such as magnesium body lotion, acne patches and period cramp relief supplements. In 2024, with the support of the Chief Minister of Kerala, FemiSafe launched the “Paper-Free Kerala” campaign in the southwestern state of Kerala to educate women on how to use menstrual cups.
Read our full social impact list here – And be sure to check out our full content Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 2026 Coverage here.
