What ASEAN Foundation does

ASEAN Foundation is a Jakarta-based non-profit organization, established in December 1997 during the ASEAN 30th Anniversary Commemorative Summit, operating as an official ASEAN body governed by a Board of Trustees comprising Permanent Representatives from ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretary-General. Its mandate is to promote people-to-people connectivity, ASEAN awareness, and inclusive development across all ten ASEAN Member States, with recent expansion to eleven member states including Timor-Leste. The Foundation delivers programs across six thematic areas (Arts & Culture, Business Community Engagement, Community Building, Education, Environment, and Media), with a current emphasis on AI and digital literacy, MSME digital transformation, youth empowerment, social enterprise acceleration, and digital safety.

Its core products and platforms include the ASEAN Digital Academy (an inclusive e-learning platform on cybersecurity and digital literacy), the Be Scam Ready game (a behavioural-science-based scam awareness tool), AIM ASEAN and AI Ready ASEAN (AI upskilling for MSMEs and youth), the ASEAN Ahead programme (career-pathway AI skilling), eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (youth volunteering), the ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme, ASEAN SOAR Together (e-commerce enablement for MSMEs via TikTok Shop), and the ASEAN Foundation-Mastercard Cyber Resilience Programme for SMEs. Technology is built on partner-provided digital learning infrastructure, with content co-developed by Google.org, Microsoft, Huawei, SAP, LinkedIn, and Mastercard rather than proprietary in-house AI/ML systems.

ASEAN Foundation operates a non-commercial revenue model funded exclusively through grants and partnership contributions from institutional donors, multilateral bodies (UNDP, ADB, ITU), bilateral government missions (Korea, Canada, Australia, Japan, China), and corporate partners (Google.org, Microsoft, Huawei, SAP, TikTok, LinkedIn, Mastercard, Maybank Foundation, Temasek Foundation, GIZ). Programs are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries through a hybrid model combining digital self-serve e-learning platforms, master-trainer-led community mobilization, and an implementing partner network of local CSOs, universities, and social enterprises across the region. Customer segments span ASEAN youth (especially NEET and TVET learners), MSMEs (97.2–99.9% of regional businesses), educators, parents and elderly populations, and youth-led social enterprises.

Name

ASEAN Foundation

Legal name

ASEAN Foundation

Website

https://aseanfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ASEAN Foundation is a Jakarta-based non-profit official ASEAN body that delivers free AI literacy, digital skills, MSME, and youth empowerment programs across all ten ASEAN Member States through grant-funded partnerships with Google.org, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and other corporate and multilateral donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit capacity building and training

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships (EDADALAJ)

Keywords

• Digital literacy training
• AI literacy programs
• Youth empowerment programs
• MSME digital transformation
• ASEAN community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Jakarta

HQ country

Indonesia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: The ASEAN Foundation operates primarily through grants from major institutional donors including Google.org (USD 5 million for AI Ready ASEAN and Scam Ready ASEAN), Maybank Foundation (supporting eYAA program), and other government and corporate partners.
2. Partnership Funding: Funding support from strategic partners including TikTok, SAP, Microsoft, Huawei, Mastercard, and various government missions to ASEAN for implementing regional development programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ASEAN Foundation is a non-profit organization that delivers free regional programs in digital and AI literacy, youth empowerment, MSME digital transformation, social enterprise acceleration, and digital safety across all ten ASEAN Member States. Programs are funded through grants and partnerships with institutional donors such as Google.org, Microsoft, SAP, LinkedIn, TikTok, Huawei, Mastercard, ADB and Maybank Foundation, and are delivered via implementing partner networks, e-learning platforms, and community mobilization.

Product overview

ASEAN Foundation is a non-profit organisation by the people, for the people of ASEAN, established in 1997. It offers a diverse portfolio of programs and initiatives across six thematic areas: Arts & Culture, Business Community Engagement, Community Building, Education, Environment, and Media. The education-focused programs include AI Ready ASEAN, AIM ASEAN, ASEAN Ahead Programme, ASEAN Data Science Explorers, AI Teach for ASEAN, and ASEAN Digital Academy (ADA) - all aimed at building digital and AI literacy among ASEAN youth and MSMEs. Business programs include ASEAN SEDP, ASEAN SOAR Together, and the Mastercard Cyber Resilience Programme for SMEs. Community-building initiatives include eYAA, Scam Ready ASEAN (with its Be Scam Ready game), and media programs like ASEAN LIVE Creators for Change. These programs are funded by partners including Google.org, Microsoft, SAP, TikTok, Huawei, LinkedIn, and Mastercard, and are delivered across all ten ASEAN Member States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AI Ready ASEAN Flagship digital initiative equipping ASEAN citizens, particularly youth and educators, with AI literacy skills. Aims to reach 5.5 million people by 2030 and has trained over 800,000 people in AI literacy since 2024.
• AIM ASEAN (AI for MSME Advancement in ASEAN) Regional programme providing AI training to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises across ASEAN, using hybrid in-person and online learning platforms to help MSMEs adopt AI for marketing, e-commerce, and business management.
• Scam Ready ASEAN Regional initiative providing digital literacy and scam awareness training through structured training, gamified learning, and awareness raising across ASEAN, targeting 3 million users and 550,000 end-beneficiaries.
• ASEAN Ahead Programme Two-year regional initiative combining AI-powered learning tools with mentorship and direct employer connections to equip young people across ASEAN with workforce-ready AI skills, soft skills, and career pathways.
• eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (eYAA) Flagship programme providing a platform for young changemakers aged 19-35 to lead community projects with civil society organisations and social enterprises across ASEAN.
• ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme (ASEAN SEDP) Flagship initiative empowering youth-led social enterprises across ASEAN through capacity building, mentorship, and facilitation to market and seed funding.
• ASEAN Supporting Our Artisans and Retailers Together (ASEAN SOAR Together) Programme empowering 50 selected MSMEs across ASEAN to overcome digitalisation challenges through e-commerce, live selling, and digital marketing.
• ASEAN Foundation-Mastercard Cyber Resilience Programme for SMEs Pilot initiative supporting Small and Medium Enterprises by enhancing their cybersecurity capacity and providing access to a cyber hygiene rating tool (My Cyber Risk) through the Mastercard Trust Center.
• ASEAN Data Science Explorers The ASEAN Foundation's longest-running digital initiative since 2017, supported by SAP, strengthening data literacy and digital skills among ASEAN youth through real-world challenges aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• AI Teach for ASEAN Digital initiative launched in 2024 with Microsoft support to upskill 6,200 Technology and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners across ASEAN in AI skills.
• Enhancing Digital Skills of SMEs in ASEAN (EDS-ASEAN) Programme delivered in partnership with Huawei accelerating the digital transformation of SMEs across ASEAN by equipping them with digital tools, skills, and strategies.
• ASEAN Digital Academy (ADA) Inclusive e-learning platform covering cybersecurity and digital literacy, designed for learners from diverse professional backgrounds across ASEAN.
• Be Scam Ready Game Immersive, scenario-based interactive game designed to help people recognise common scam tactics and warning signs through character journeys with tailored scenarios, developed using behavioural science principles.
• ASEAN Digital Empowerment Programme launched in 2022 in partnership with SAP, equipping disadvantaged and unemployed youth aged 18 to 30 with digital skills through the SAP Learning Hub.
• KONNECT ASEAN ASEAN Foundation's flagship arts and culture programme bringing together artists, communities, and institutions across ASEAN, supported by the Republic of Korea through the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund.

Quantifiable outcome

• 418,349+ people benefited in the last four years across ASEAN
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.

• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft supports AI Teach for ASEAN program, providing technology and resources to upskill Technology and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners across ASEAN in AI skills.
• HuaweicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuawei co-hosts the Huawei ICT Competition APAC with ASEAN Foundation and announced AI talent development collaborations. Also partners on Enhancing Digital Skills of SMEs in ASEAN (EDS-ASEAN) program.
• TikTokcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTikTok is a strategic partner for ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme (SEDP) and ASEAN SOAR Together, providing platform expertise, TikTok credits for social enterprises, and support for content creation and live selling training.
• LinkedIncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinkedIn supports the ASEAN Ahead programme, providing AI-powered learning tools and career pathway resources to equip 18,200 young people across ASEAN with workforce-ready skills.
• MastercardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMastercard partners on the ASEAN Foundation-Mastercard Cyber Resilience Programme for SMEs, providing access to the My Cyber Risk tool and Mastercard Trust Center for cybersecurity training.
• SAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAP supports ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme (SEDP) since 2021 and ASEAN Data Science Explorers program, providing expertise, mentorship, and platform access for digital skills development.
• AVPNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAVPN leads the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific with support from Google.org, and partners with ASEAN Foundation on AIM ASEAN program to deliver AI training to 100,000 MSMEs.
• United Way WorldwidesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way Worldwide supports the CALM MRI program, helping children reduce anxiety about MRI procedures through LEGO-based play learning.
• LEGO GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEGO Group provides LEGO MRI kits for the CALM MRI program, supporting child-friendly medical education across ASEAN hospitals.
• UNDPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDP supports the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge and ASEAN Blue Economy Initiative, funding innovative startups addressing environmental challenges.
• InfoXChangesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfoXChange supports the ASEAN Digital Academy (ADA), providing digital literacy and cybersecurity training content for learners across ASEAN.
• ITUsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Telecommunication Union collaborates on AI talent development initiatives with Huawei and ASEAN Foundation at the Huawei ICT Competition.
• ASEAN-Japan CentresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerASEAN-Japan Centre partners on regional initiatives supporting ASEAN awareness and youth development.
• Peking UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeking University supports ASEAN Foundation through academic collaboration and hosting of programs like ASEAN-China Youth Exchange Camp.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Asian Development Bank (ADB): Manila-based multilateral development bank providing loans, grants, and technical assistance across Asia-Pacific, an active funder of AIM ASEAN via AI Opportunity Fund. Comparable as a regional multilateral with deep ASEAN engagement and multi-country program delivery.
• Ford Foundation: Major US-based international grantmaking foundation with deep Asia-Pacific operations focused on inequality, governance, and civic engagement. Operates through grants to regional NGOs and convening organizations analogous to ASEAN Foundation's intermediary role.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: One of the world's largest philanthropic foundations, with active education, health, and digital equity programs in Southeast Asia. Comparable as a large-scale international grantmaking organization that works through regional intermediaries and government partnerships across Asia-Pacific.
• UNDP Asia and the Pacific: UN Development Programme's Asia-Pacific Regional Centre, an active partner of ASEAN Foundation on environmental and social enterprise programs (ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge). Comparable as a major multilateral institution that runs regional development programs across ASEAN.

Direct peers

• The Asia Foundation: A US-headquartered non-profit founded in 1954 that works across Asia-Pacific on governance, economic development, education, and women's empowerment. Most directly comparable international development foundation operating in ASEAN, with similar multi-country program delivery model, donor-funded structure, and regional convening role.
• AVPN (Asian Venture Philanthropy Network): Asia's leading social investment network headquartered in Singapore, actively partnering with ASEAN Foundation on the AIM ASEAN program (Google.org AI Opportunity Fund). Directly comparable as a regional intermediary that channels philanthropic capital into Asia-Pacific social impact programs.

Regional players

• Singapore International Foundation: Singapore-based non-profit that builds cross-border relationships through arts, education, and community development programs in ASEAN and beyond. Operates with similar people-to-people diplomacy mandate, donor-funded model, and regional program portfolio.
• Temasek Foundation: Singapore-based philanthropic foundation funded by Temasek Holdings that runs community and education programs across Asia, including direct funding partnerships with ASEAN Foundation. Comparable as a Southeast Asian grantmaking foundation with similar operational scope and corporate-back relationship model.
• Konrad Adenauer Foundation: German political foundation active across Southeast Asia in civic education, governance, and youth leadership programs. Comparable as a foreign-affiliated foundation operating multi-country ASEAN programs with donor-funded model and policy-oriented mandate.

Others

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German federal development agency that co-funds ASEAN Foundation's ASEAN SEDP program. Comparable as a bilateral aid agency that channels government funds into ASEAN capacity building and social enterprise development programs through local intermediaries.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aseanfoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AseanfoundationOrganisation
• Facebookfacebook.com/ASEANFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asean-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/aseanfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@aseanfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ASEAN Foundation