ASEAN Sparks Set to Accelerate Clean Energy Innovation Across Southeast Asia

  

The ASEAN Sparks programme has officially launched! Powered by the ASEAN Centre for Energy with support from Japan-ASEAN Integrated Fund & United Nations Industrial Development Organization, this 3-phase journey empowers clean energy startups across Southeast Asia to scale, connect, and create impact. Applications for ASEAN Sparks: Ignite are open until 22 May 2025!

JAKARTA, 6 May 2025 -- The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), with funding support from the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integrated Fund (JAIF), is set to sail an acceleration programme targeting aspiring startup founders and innovators across Southeast Asia: ASEAN Sparks.

ASEAN Sparks is a programme designed to address climate and energy pressures by accelerating the growth of climate tech enterprises. The programme empowers early-stage startups with the tools, expertise, and networks needed to scale while fostering a gender-inclusive environment that drives impactful clean energy solutions across the region.

Partnering with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), ASEAN Sparks is designed as a measurable and structured journey through three programme phases: Ignite, Catalyse, and Elevate.

Igniting the Region's Energy Future

The ASEAN Sparks will start with the Ignite phase, which focuses on nurturing early-stage solutions and equipping the founders with the essential skills to scale their business ideas effectively. Most promising participants will then advance to the Catalyse phase, where startups receive targeted mentoring, market-readiness training, and strategic business development support.

The journey culminates in the Elevate phase, during which top-performing startups will pitch their refined solutions on the Grand Pitching Day at the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-25) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These participants will then gain exposure to potential investors, corporate partners, and government stakeholders to explore funding, partnerships, and cross-border scaling opportunities.

Accelerating Innovation to Address Regional Climate Challenges

In response to growing climate-related challenges across ASEAN, the programme will centre around six key energy pillars, which include Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Smart Grids, Energy Storage, Clean Mobility,  and Other Climate & Energy Technologies.

"This programme is aligned with APAEC (ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation), especially in increasing the role of private sector and financial institutions," said Dr Zulfikar Yurnaid, Acting Manager of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (CEE) Department, of the ASEAN Centre for Energy. "By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in clean energy, ASEAN Sparks directly supports the development and adoption of energy-efficient solutions across ASEAN."

Building a Collaborative & Inclusive Ecosystem

Beyond capacity-building, ASEAN Sparks also aims to strengthen the regional ecosystem by connecting diverse stakeholders — from experts and mentors to startups and policymakers — within a collaborative and inclusive environment.

To ensure consistency and alignment throughout the programme, all participating experts will receive a certification tailored to the ASEAN Sparks framework. This step supports a shared understanding of the programme’s methodology, tools, and impact goals—enabling experts to deliver guidance that is cohesive and high-impact across all stages.

Startups and solutions will be assessed on the technology and business readiness level which includes team credibility and commitment, product impact, as well as market potential and scalability.

Join the Movement

The ASEAN Sparks is a dynamic and inclusive platform for energy innovators to synergise in advancing global climate goals, contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action. Throughout the programme, participants will be accompanied by mentors and trainers to develop their solutions in various areas from technology, business, and impact.

Running from June to October 2025, the ASEAN Sparks programme invites aspiring founders, researchers, and innovators to submit their applications for ASEAN Sparks: Ignite by 22 May 2025.

Those who are interested in amplifying impacts in Southeast Asia can visit go.aseanenergy.org/ApplySPARKS for application and more information.

About Innovation Factory

Innovation Factory is a technology and innovation hub in Indonesia as a platform for innovation initiatives, where we enable key actors in the tech startup ecosystem to meet, collaborate and grow together. As Strategic Partners of the ASEAN Sparks, Innovation Factory and BLOCK71 are instrumental in delivering the full ASEAN Sparks experience: connecting stakeholders, enabling collaborations, and ensuring a seamless, impactful programme execution.

ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States' (AMS) interests in the energy sector. ACE focuses on accelerating energy integration and promoting energy security and sustainability within the region.

Japan-ASEAN Integrated Fund (JAIF) is a trust fund established by the Government of Japan to support ASEAN integration. JAIF holds a key role to bridge the gap in ASEAN and enhance its competitiveness. JAIF has supported projects in a variety of areas, including health, counter-terrorism, environment, outreach, disaster management, and economic integration.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting and accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development in developing countries. Its mandate is to help countries achieve poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability through industrial development.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Premium European Products Return to Malaysia with Greater Opportunities in 2025

The National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS) and the Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC) proudly continued the “Information Provision and Promotion Measures on Agricultural Products in Canada, Malaysia, and South Korea" program, running from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026. Funded by the European Union, the program promoted high-quality European agricultural products across South Korea, Malaysia, and Canada under the campaign “Premium European Products”.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [13 May 2025, Tuesday] – For Immediate Release

This campaign represents the European Union's commitment to safety, quality, and animal welfare. EU regulations are trusted globally for their rigorous safety protocols, including strict controls on pesticide use and hygiene standards in processing facilities, ensuring premium products of the highest quality. The campaign has four main objectives: raising awareness of high-quality European products, enhancing consumer recognition, increasing consumption, and boosting exports.

Premium European Success at SIAL Canada

To kickstart the program, Premium European Products had a resounding success at SIAL Canada 2025, held in Toronto from 29 April to 1 May 2025. At Booth 1017.3, visitors discovered a curated range of premium products reflecting the best of Greek and Latvian agriculture. The Premium European Products campaign promotes five categories of products. The first category features 11 PDO-certified products from Greece, including olive oils, table olives, dried grapes, saffron, hard cheeses, and mastic gum and gum oil. The remaining four categories highlight Latvian products: dairy products, candied fruits, chocolates and confectionery, and salty snacks. This collaboration at SIAL Canada underscored the growing international demand for authentic, traceable food products, connecting European agricultural excellence with consumers worldwide.

Commitment to Quality and Sustainability

The Premium European Products campaign reinforces the European Union’s rigorous standards in food production, ensuring that every product meets strict criteria for safety, sustainability, and authenticity. From traditional Greek farming methods to Latvia’s natural dairy fermentation practices, these standards guarantee distinctive flavor profiles and nutritional benefits.

The campaign’s recognizable branding which is inspired by Europe’s natural landscapes and agricultural heritage, reminds consumers of the deep-rooted traditions behind every product.

Expanding Global Reach

Following SIAL Canada, ETHEAS and LDC will continue their promotional journey at Seoul Food & Hotel (SFH) in South Korea from 10-13 June 2025, and Food & Hotel Malaysia (FHM) from 23-26 September 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The event will feature specialized tasting sessions highlighting the unique qualities of Greek and Latvian products. Through these key international platforms, the campaign strengthens European agricultural presence in Asia and North America, fostering lasting relationships with importers, distributors, and retailers while demonstrating the distinctive quality, safety, and sustainability features that make these European products premium choices for consumers worldwide.

Premium European Products Campaign in Malaysia

Following Food Hotel Malaysia, the Premium European Products campaign will expand its initiatives in Malaysia by conducting an extensive B2B meeting program, connecting Greek and Latvian producers directly with Malaysian key trade professionals through pre-arranged business matchmaking sessions. These meetings will allow personalized interactions with high-level buyers specifically interested in premium European food products.

In addition to the B2B programmes, strategic plans targeting consumers in Malaysia's leading food industry publications and digital platforms will complement the physical presence, emphasizing the exceptional standards, sustainable production methods, and authentic flavors that distinguish European products in Malaysia's diverse food market.

The Premium European Products campaign welcomes industry professionals to discover the quality, authenticity, and diversity of European offerings from Greece and Latvia. We invite importers, distributors, retailers, and foodservice leaders to connect with trusted producers and explore potential collaborations that support long-term growth and value in the Malaysian market.

For more information about the "Premium European Products" campaign, please visit  https://premiumeuropeanproducts.eu/ or email us to info@premiumeuropeanproducts.eu.

Pages dedicated to this program can be found on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, @premiumeuropeanproducts.

Notes to Editor

About National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Greece (ETHEAS)

Founded by Greece's leading cooperatives and established by Greek law, ETHEAS is the national coordinating body of Agricultural Cooperatives in Greece. With over 300 member cooperatives representing approximately 80% of Greece's total agricultural cooperative turnover, ETHEAS aims to foster rural and cooperative development, support and promote its members' activities domestically and internationally, provide expert opinions on cooperative movement agricultural production and sector development, supervise the dissemination and promotion of cooperative ideas, and serve and educate its members through studies, research projects, and assignments.

About Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC)

The Latvian Dairy Committee (LDC), established in 1995, represents Latvian dairy processing sector and aims to protect its interests. It consists of 17 members processing approximately 80% of industrially produced milk in Latvia.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES 

Solayer Price Prediction 2025: Unlocking Scalable Staking and Liquidity on Solana through Layer-2 Innovation

  

Discover how Solayer, a Layer-2 solution on Solana, enhances scalability and liquidity through restaking, sSOL tokens, and DeFi integration—plus 2025 price predictions showing up to 358% ROI for LAYER investors.

As blockchain networks evolve, scalability, utility, and liquidity become critical components for sustainable growth. Enter Solayer, a cutting-edge Layer-2 (L2) blockchain built on top of Solana.

Designed to maximize the performance of the Solana network, Solayer introduces a powerful ecosystem that enables users to restake SOL tokens, earn rewards, and maintain liquidity through tokenized assets, while also offering promising returns for early investors.

What is Solayer?

Solayer is not just another protocol. It is a scalability-enhancing restaking infrastructure that unlocks dormant SOL tokens, allowing them to be actively used in decentralized applications (DApps) and across the Solana ecosystem.

Think of your SOL tokens as rooms in a digital building—Solayer helps you “rent them out,” reducing congestion and empowering broader network usage, all while earning you rewards.

How Solayer Works: Core Architecture and Components

Solayer’s strength lies in its modular, intelligent staking infrastructure. Here’s how the system works, component by component:

1. Layer 2 Restaking Protocol

Solayer operates as an L2 enhancement to Solana, offloading part of the staking and delegation workload. This unburdens the main network, allowing DApps to function more efficiently while maintaining decentralization and speed.

2. Restaking Pool Manager

This is the central orchestrator of the staking process. It:

- Accepts SOL deposits from users.

- Mints sSOL tokens (liquid staking tokens) in return.

- Distributes SOL across a variety of staking opportunities.

- Collects and redistributes rewards to users.

3. sSOL: Liquid Staking Tokens

These are tokenized representations of staked SOL, allowing holders to retain liquidity. Instead of waiting through unstaking periods, sSOL holders can trade, use, or reinvest their assets instantly—earning yield while staying flexible.

4. Delegation Manager

The Delegation Manager determines where pooled SOL is staked by interacting with validators. This ensures secure and optimal delegation for maximum yield and decentralization.

5. Reward Accounting Unit

This component tracks staking rewards and ensures fair distribution to sSOL holders, according to their proportional share in the pool. Think of it as the accountant of the system—ensuring precision without handling the funds directly.

6. Oracle Price Feed

To ensure a stable and accurate value peg between sSOL and SOL, Solayer uses oracle price feeds. This maintains market confidence by keeping token valuations consistent and aligned with real-world SOL prices.

Step-by-Step Example: Solayer in Action

Let’s break down a real-world use case:

1. You stake your SOL via Solayer.

2. The Restaking Pool Manager receives your tokens and gives you sSOL.

3. Your staked SOL is then delegated across multiple validators and DApps, guided by the Delegation Manager.

4. Rewards are tracked by the Reward Accounting Unit and periodically distributed.

All the while, oracle price feeds ensure your sSOL value reflects your earned SOL + rewards.

Result? You’re earning passive income, maintaining token flexibility, and helping to secure the Solana network—all at once.

Tokenomics: Inside the Solayer Ecosystem

Solayer operates with a multi-token economy, each with a specific role:

1. SOL: The foundational token used for staking and transactions on Solana.

2. LAYER: The primary utility token of the Solayer ecosystem, used for staking, governance, and incentives.

3. sSOL: A liquid staking token, enabling seamless participation in the ecosystem without sacrificing liquidity.

4. AVS Tokens: Issued by DApps on Solayer, these grant access to MEV (Maximum Extractable Value) and SOL yield streams.

5. sUSD: A stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, used for staking, transactions, and liquidity provision.

Price Forecast and ROI: 2025 and Beyond

The financial outlook for LAYER—the native token of Solayer—is optimistic, with impressive ROI predictions throughout 2025:

Despite volatility, the annual average price of $3.28 for LAYER in 2025 suggests strong investor confidence and potential returns exceeding 350% for early adopters.

Long-Term Price Prediction: LAYER in 2030

Looking ahead, conservative estimates show LAYER reaching $1.50596 by 2030, marking a gradual yet steady increase in long-term value. While this may reflect cautious forecasting, it underscores a belief in Solayer’s sustained utility and network growth.

Conclusion: Why Solayer Matters

Solayer represents the next phase in DeFi innovation on Solana. By enabling restaking, liquid staking, and cross-platform utility, it unlocks powerful ways for users to grow their assets without compromising on access or flexibility.

With a robust infrastructure, diverse tokenomics, and bullish market outlook, Solayer is well-positioned to become a foundational component of Solana’s broader DeFi ecosystem.

About Bitrue

Bitrue is a leading cryptocurrency exchange, offering a wide range of digital assets, innovative features, and user-focused services. Founded with the mission to empower the world’s crypto enthusiasts, Bitrue continues to expand its platform with new products, events, and opportunities for users worldwide.

SOLAR & STORAGE LIVE PHILIPPINES 2025 POWERS UP TO DRIVE THE NATION’S CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

  

Manila, Philippines – 9 May 2025 – As the global climate crisis intensifies, the Philippines is stepping up with bold energy ambitions. Solar & Storage Live Philippines 2025 serves as a dynamic platform to showcase cutting-edge solutions, foster dialogue, and drive collaboration across the solar, energy storage and broader clean energy ecosystem.

Paul Clark, Managing Director of Terrapinn Pte Ltd, shared: “We couldn’t be more excited for this year’s biggest ever Solar & Storage Live Philippines. This event just keeps breaking records and is absolutely pivotal in creating the collaboration and partnership opportunities to ensure the Philippines meets its ambitious and admirable clean energy goals. Over 15,000 energy professionals will be browsing for solutions on our expanded two-level expo. They’ll also enjoy five packed content theatres, hands-on workshops at our Solar Installer University, and unmatched networking opportunities. If you’re part of the energy transition in the Philippines, this is the place to be.” What to Expect at Solar & Storage Live Philippines 2025: • 300+ exhibitors: Showcasing the latest in solar panels, battery storage systems, smart grids, and integrated renewable solutions transforming the way energy is generated and consumed. • 150+ expert speakers: Insights across five dedicated theatres on topics like Utility-Scale Solar, Rooftop Solar (C&I and Residential), Rural Electrification, T&D/Grid Infrastructure, Energy Storage, and EVs. • Policy & regulation updates: Explore the evolving legal frameworks and incentives shaping the Philippines' renewable energy market. • Investor & developer insights: Practical advice on project financing, investment opportunities, and accelerating deployment. • Strong industry support from IIEE, ASIP, PSSEA, ENPAP 4.0, PHILRECA, The CentRE, CREST, IPPF, and many more. • Hands-on workshops: Learn directly from industry experts with tips and technical training through our Solar Installer University. Whether you're an energy professional, policymaker, entrepreneur, or clean tech enthusiast, Solar & Storage Live Philippines 2025 is your gateway to powering the country’s energy transformation. For more information and to register for the event, please visit https://www.terrapinn.com/solarstoragelivephpr Press attendance is complimentary. Enquiries should be directed to: Danelle Filipinas-Yurag Senior Marketing Manager Terrapinn Pte Ltd Danelle.filipinas@terrapinn.com

Free conference sessions at Solar & Storage Live Philippines

Explore the two-level exhibition at SMX Manila, where attendees can meet the latest innovations and solutions from 300+ cutting-edge exhibitors.

About Terrapinn Pte Ltd

About Solar & Storage Live Philippines Solar & Storage Live Philippines is the leading event dedicated to advancing the adoption of solar and energy storage technologies in the Philippines. Organized annually, the event brings together industry stakeholders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to exchange ideas, share best practices, and drive collaboration towards a sustainable energy future. About Terrapinn Terrapinn has been sparking ideas, innovations and relationships that transform business for over 30 years. Using our global footprint, we bring innovators, disrupters and change agents together, discussing and demonstrating the technology, strategies and personalities that are changing the way the world does business. Whether you’re looking to make new connections, introduce product or inspire change in your industry, we invite you to join us as agitators of change. Terrapinn – spark something.   https://www.terrapinn.com/