Bringing nature-positive strategies to Asian MSMEs

This article is a part of Startup Spotlight, a series that features young, up-and-coming startups.

Image credit: Timmy Loen

Pulse began in October 2024 as an incubation project at Entropia Capital, initially developing employee feedback tools for businesses.

As demand for sustainability reporting grew across Southeast Asia, the team expanded the platform to help companies manage ESG and biodiversity reporting.

😟 Problem

Southeast Asia holds 15% of the world’s biodiversity and critical carbon sinks like tropical forests. Regional businesses must integrate sustainability as the Global Biodiversity Framework mandates corporate disclosures.

Simultaneously, Singapore is raising its carbon tax from S$25 (US$19) to over S$50 (US$39) per ton by 2030. However, small enterprises make up 97% of local businesses and remain excluded from sustainability initiatives due to expensive compliance frameworks.

💡 Solution

The startup developed an AI-powered software platform that makes sustainability engagement actionable for regional companies.

Pulse integrates scientific methodologies with regionally relevant business strategies across three core modules, including: 

• Take the Pulse: An AI survey tool capturing employee sentiment to align corporate sustainability goals with staff expectations.
• Be the Pulse: A strategic tool providing audits, benchmarking, and actionable recommendations to implement nature-positive strategies.
• Power the Pulse: An investment portal using a proprietary index to connect businesses directly with high-impact regenerative projects.

Image credit: Pulse

📊 Market size

The Southeast Asian market for corporate sustainability services is estimated at US$9 billion to US$10 billion, spanning compliance reporting, environmental consulting, and nature-based investments. The startup estimates its serviceable market at around US$5 billion.

🤝 Team

• Perrine Hamel. CEO and CSO. She is a professor at Nanyang Technological University whose research focuses on biodiversity and sustainability.
• Pierrick Bouffaron. COO. He has more than 10 years of experience developing frontier technologies at global companies and now leads the company’s operations and business development.
• Alana Brantley. CFO. She oversees the company’s finance and corporate operations.

🚀 Traction

• Secured three strategic partnerships with corporate leaders in the region.
• Onboarded approximately 100 beta testers to refine the platform.
• Received two grants from Nanyang Technological University.

🏆 Competition

💰 Financials

🚩 Risks