Tech For Good Institute

What Tech For Good Institute does

Tech For Good Institute (TFGI) is an independent, non-profit policy research institute established in 2021 by Grab and headquartered at 3 Media Close, Singapore. It produces rigorous, data-driven research, policy briefs, country spotlights, and expert perspectives on Southeast Asia's digital economy and society, with an explicit focus on the SEA-6 markets of Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Its research portfolio is organized around six core focus areas: Tech Governance, Digital Sustainability, Digital Resilience, Inclusive Digital Growth, Confident Digital Society, and Digital Platforms for Public Benefit, supported by flagship series such as the Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Realising a Confident Digital Society, and the Platform Economy research series.

The Institute operates a horizontal go-to-market aimed at four audiences: policymakers and government officials, industry and private sector leaders, researchers and civil society, and international development partners. Distribution is non-commercial: research outputs are freely downloadable from the website, and the organization supplements publishing with an event-driven engagement model that includes closed-door regional roundtables, report launches, and high-level dialogues co-hosted with partners such as the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the Asian Development Bank (SEADS), ERIA, IPSS, AIM, TDRI, and PIKOM. An invitation-based Network Platform connects TFGI with regional think tanks including CIPS, CSIS, IPS, SIIA, SMU, CIEM, GASA, Digital Prosperity for Asia, and the World Benchmarking Alliance.

TFGI does not sell products or services and has no commercial revenue model. Operating funds come from founding partner Grab, strategic grants, and institutional collaborations, with named supporting partners including Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Google.org, Ant International, and IMDA. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (including representatives from Grab, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, City Developments Limited, and Evercore) and led by an Acting Executive Director, Institute Director, Programme Director, and Senior Fellows supported by programme managers, associates, and analysts.

Name

Tech For Good Institute

Legal name

Tech For Good Institute

Website

https://techforgoodinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tech For Good Institute is an independent, Singapore-headquartered non-profit policy research institute, established in 2021 by Grab, that produces data-driven research, policy briefs, and regional roundtables on Southeast Asia's digital economy and society for the SEA-6 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Inclusion & Civic Tech (Connectivity, GovTech for Social Good) (BPAGALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

Keywords

• Policy research institute
• Digital economy analysis
• Technology governance research
• Southeast asia policy
• Digital society research

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tech For Good Institute is a non-profit policy research institute that produces rigorous, data-driven research reports, policy briefs, and expert insights on how technology can advance inclusive and sustainable digital growth across Southeast Asia. Its core offerings are organized around six focus areas (Tech Governance, Digital Sustainability, Digital Resilience, Inclusive Digital Growth, Confident Digital Society, and Digital Platforms for Public Benefit) and are disseminated through regional roundtables, country spotlights, and publicly accessible publications for the SEA-6 countries.

Product overview

Tech for Good Institute is a non-profit policy research institute that produces a comprehensive portfolio of research, insights, and engagement programs focused on Southeast Asia's digital economy and society. The offering consists of six core focus area programs covering Tech Governance, Digital Sustainability, Digital Resilience, Inclusive Digital Growth, Confident Digital Society, and Digital Platforms for Public Benefit. Underpinning these are sub-products including major research report series (Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Realising a Confident Digital Society, Platform Economy), policy briefs and resources, country-specific spotlights, expert perspectives, and regional engagement events. The organization serves as a platform connecting policymakers, researchers, and industry to advance inclusive and sustainable digital transformation across the SEA-6 countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tech Governance Research & Programs Research and programs examining how Southeast Asia shapes tech governance through evolving regulation, policy innovation, and regional cooperation. Includes programs on regulatory sandboxes, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), and the annual Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia-6 report series. Targeted at policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
• Digital Sustainability Research & Programs Research examining how Southeast Asia leverages digital innovation to advance sustainable development, unlock investment opportunities, and scale inclusive impact. Includes reports on digital sustainability and impact measurement for digital economy companies. Targeted at policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders.
• Digital Resilience Research & Programs Research examining how Southeast Asia strengthens cyber resilience through stronger capabilities, regional cooperation, and adaptive cyber governance approaches. Includes the Towards a Resilient Cyberspace in Southeast Asia report. Targeted at cybersecurity policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
• Inclusive Digital Growth Research & Programs Research exploring how Southeast Asia fosters inclusive digital growth through stronger readiness, participation, and future-ready digital capabilities. Includes programs on new models of work and transitioning from tech for growth to tech for good. Targeted at policymakers, workforce development agencies, and industry stakeholders.
• Confident Digital Society Research & Programs Research examining necessary foundations, capabilities, and governance measures for sustainable digital development in Southeast Asia. Includes programs on building resilience against digital scams and the Confident Digital Society framework. Targeted at policymakers, consumer protection agencies, and civil society.
• Digital Platforms for Public Benefit Programs Research examining how digital platforms support inclusive, sustainable, and publicly beneficial outcomes through public-private collaboration. Includes the Platform Economy in Southeast Asia research series. Targeted at platform companies, policymakers, and civil society organizations.
• Research Reports Comprehensive research publications covering tech governance, digital sustainability, digital resilience, and platform economies in Southeast Asia. Major publications include the annual Evolution of Tech Governance series and the Digital Platforms for Public Benefit series. Available for free download from the website.
• Policy Briefs & Resources Policy-focused research outputs providing actionable recommendations on topics including AI governance, digital literacy, child online protection, and future of work in Southeast Asia. Distributed freely through TFGI's website.
• Country Spotlights Country-specific policy and regulatory analysis covering Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, providing insights on each nation's evolving digital landscape. Targeted at regional stakeholders seeking country-level intelligence.
• Perspectives Expert analysis on regional emerging trends in AI, digital governance, and technology policy, offering forward-looking insights from TFGI's research team and contributors.
• Engagements & Events Dialogues and roundtables connecting policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders across Southeast Asia. Includes high-level roundtables, report launches, and regional forums on digital policy topics throughout the year.
• Realising a Confident Digital Society Report Series Research series examining the concept, components, and measurement of a Confident Digital Society, focusing on foundations and future readiness of digital transformation across SEA-6 countries. Co-hosted virtual launch event with the Asian Development Bank.
• Building Resilience Against Digital Scams Report Report highlighting urgent need for Southeast Asia to build digital resilience against digitally-enabled scams and fraud through whole-of-society approaches, produced in partnership with Bamboo Builders and Google.org.
• Sandbox to Society Program Program examining how regulatory sandboxes across SEA-6 can support innovation, regulatory learning, and more adaptive governance in the digital economy.
• ASEAN DEFA Research Program Program examining how the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) can advance a more integrated, inclusive, and future-ready digital economy in Southeast Asia.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies (IPSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Co-convened high-level roundtable in Hanoi, Vietnam on 'Mobility, AI and Society: Strengthening the Future of Transportation' in May 2026.
• Asian Institute of Management (AIM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Collaboration on closed-door roundtable discussion 'The Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia: Managing Digital Resilience in the Philippines' held in Manila in May 2026.
• Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Co-organized roundtable in Jakarta, Indonesia on 'The Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia: Governing Emerging Technologies in Indonesia' in May 2026.
• Ant InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Ant International provided support for the Digital Giving in Southeast Asia exploratory study launched at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2026.
• Social and Economic Research Initiative (SERI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration on roundtable discussion 'The Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia: Governing Emerging Technologies in Malaysia' scheduled for June 2026.
• Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Co-hosted launch of TFGI's Digital Platforms for Public Benefit abridged report in December 2025.
• Mastercard Center for Inclusive GrowthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2025Strategic collaboration announced in October 2025 to advance inclusive growth research in Asia. The partnership aims to strengthen research and data capabilities to guide inclusive economic participation and digital empowerment for underserved populations.
• Google.orgsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Google.org provided support for the Building Resilience Against Digitally-enabled Scams and Fraud report, supporting research on digital resilience in Southeast Asia.
• National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered for roundtable discussion 'New Models of Work in Malaysia' and Digital Platforms for Public Benefit roundtable, supporting research on Malaysia's digital economy.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-hosted virtual public event for the launch of 'Realising a Confident Digital Society: Spotlight on SEA-6' report with ADB Southeast Asia Development Solutions (SEADS).
• Asia-Europe FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TFGI moderated dialogue on 'Society 5.0: Balancing Competing Interests' at Asia-Europe Foundation's Young Leaders Summit.
• Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) MalaysiasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaborated on Malaysia tech governance insights and research outputs for the Evolution of Tech Governance series.
• Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Provided support for the Digital Sustainability report launched at Asia Tech x Singapore 2025.
• GrabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Tech for Good Institute was established in 2021 by Grab as an independent, non-profit policy research institute. Grab serves as the founding partner, providing foundational support for the organization's mission to advance inclusive and sustainable digital growth across Southeast Asia.
• Bamboo BuilderssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in producing the Building Resilience Against Digitally-enabled Scams and Fraud report, contributing to research on digital resilience across the region.
• Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner contributing research on Indonesia's digital economy, cyber resilience, and regulatory sandbox landscape.
• Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner providing research expertise on Indonesia's digital policy landscape.
• Institute for Policy Studies and Media Development (IPS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner contributing research on Vietnam's digital economy and regulatory policy for digital intermediary services.
• Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner contributing expertise on Singapore's tech governance landscape.
• Singapore Management University (SMU)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner contributing research expertise from Law and Computer Science practice areas on tech governance.
• Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner providing Vietnam's perspective on regulatory frameworks and economic management.
• Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner addressing digital scams and fraud resilience across Southeast Asia.
• Digital Prosperity for AsiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner contributing to digital prosperity research in Asia.
• World Benchmarking AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner contributing to sustainability and digital economy benchmarking.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute: Singapore-based regional research institute producing policy-oriented analysis on Southeast Asia across economics, politics, and security. Directly comparable to TFGI in geography, institutional posture, and audience of policymakers and researchers, though TFGI is more narrowly focused on digital economy and society.
• Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy: Singapore-based graduate policy school affiliated with NUS that produces policy research and convenes regional policymakers. Comparable in regional policy-research focus and Singapore headquarters, though anchored in academic rather than independent-think-tank format.
• Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI): Tokyo-based policy research institute linked to the Asian Development Bank, producing research on development, governance, and digital transformation across Asia-Pacific. Comparable as a research and convening institution targeting Asian policymakers, with overlapping digital-economy themes and a similar report-and-dialogue distribution model.
• Hinrich Foundation: Asia-focused foundation producing research on trade, economic integration, and digital economy issues across the region. Comparable as a non-profit research entity targeting Asia digital economy themes with similar policy-engagement and report-distribution model.

Emerging players

• Observer Research Foundation (ORF): India-based think tank producing research on international affairs, economics, and technology policy with growing Asia-Pacific relevance. Comparable as a regional policy research outfit with technology-policy publications and convening activities, though primarily India-focused.
• Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI): Canada-based independent research institution focused on global governance of technology, digital trade, and AI. Comparable as an independent think tank producing flagship reports and convening stakeholders specifically on digital governance, though with global rather than SEA focus.

Broad incumbents

• Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Global, large-scale bipartisan policy research organization with technology policy programs covering digital economy, AI governance, and cyber resilience. Comparable in producing policy research and convening stakeholders on tech governance, though broader in geographic and thematic scope than TFGI.
• Brookings Institution: Major U.S.-based think tank with substantive technology policy and digital economy programs. Comparable in operating as an independent policy research institution producing flagship reports and convening stakeholders, but with global rather than SEA-focused mandate.
• Chatham House: London-based international affairs think tank with research programs covering digital economy, technology governance, and Asia-Pacific affairs. Comparable as a globally-recognized independent research and convening institution, though broader in geographic scope than TFGI.

Regional players

• IDE-JETRO (Institute of Developing Economies): Japan-based government-linked research institute producing socioeconomic research on developing Asia, including Southeast Asia digital economy topics. Comparable as an Asia-focused policy research entity with regional report series and convening activities, though with broader development research mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeBPmXZNJSX6mDKtHTcYZ5g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tech-for-good-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/techforgoodinstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tech For Good Institute