This increased access to capital empowers early-stage ventures to strive for sustainability, as evidenced by significant growth in their customer base. Nearly half of the Top Innovators experienced more than 40% growth in their customer count compared to the previous year. In driving these efforts, they are seeking strategic partnerships with companies in their respective sectors to cultivate collaboration and attract co-investment. A significant share is prioritizing equity investment as their primary funding source, with a particular emphasis on venture capital. Within the equity space, they are targeting a diverse range of investors, including venture capitalists, impact investors, family offices, angel investors and corporate venture capitalists. In addition to seeking private investors, a growing number of innovators are pursuing partnerships with government agencies and development organizations to obtain regulatory support and access to public funding, such as grants. These collaborations are viewed as vital for scaling their solutions and amplifying their impact.2 This strategic approach to funding and partnerships aligns closely with their focus areas and sectors, based on their thematic priorities. For instance, urban transformation innovators are exploring partnerships with industries such as engineering and construction, underscoring the critical need for investment in transformative innovations within this sector. On the other hand, new cross-sectoral collaborations are emerging – for example, urban transformation innovators are also looking to connect with the mining and metals industry. Similarly, nature and biodiversity innovators are seeking collaboration with the information and communication technology sector, harnessing technology and AI to address challenges more quickly and sustainably. Additionally, along with food innovators, they are extending their reach into the professional services sector, highlighting the growing fluidity of sectoral boundaries. Credit: Cemvita Uplink Annual Impact Report March 2025 12

UpLink Annual Impact Report 2025