🇺🇳 Happy Ground at the United Nations (again!)

We’re excited to share that Happy Ground had the incredible opportunity to speak at the Inclusive Business Event at the United Nations—an event focused on financing ecosystems for inclusive business in Southeast Asia. It was a transformative experience to be part of a conversation about creating value for low-income communities by integrating them into the value chain—whether as suppliers, distributors, or consumers.

As a company working at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, climate resilience, and farmer empowerment, this event offered a powerful platform for us to share our journey—and learn from other incredible change-makers who are also tackling global challenges through inclusive business models.

What is Inclusive Business?

Inclusive Business (IB) is about creating value not just for businesses, but for low-income communities by integrating them into the value chain in meaningful ways. It’s a model that promotes shared prosperity—bringing sustainable solutions to the heart of communities while generating economic opportunity.

I was honored to be on stage with leaders I deeply admire, reconnecting with colleagues and hearing firsthand how they’re making a difference. Some of the standout moments and lessons were deeply impactful and inspiring.

Lessons and Insights from the Event

Thai Wah: Regenerative Transitions with a Focus on Social Challenges 🌾

A personal highlight was hearing from Hataikan Kamolsirisakul of Thai Wah Public Company Limited, who shared the company’s comprehensive approach to regenerative transitions in their supply chain. What stood out was their focus on not just environmental sustainability but also on addressing the social challenges that hinder progress.

In one village in northeastern Thailand, farmers face safety concerns that prevent them from fully embracing regenerative agriculture practices. Thai Wah’s leadership was instrumental in coordinating various stakeholders to create a safe environment for farmers, allowing them to focus on transitioning to sustainable practices without fear or barriers.

This truly resonated with me—sustainability is not just about adopting new technologies; it's also about creating the right conditions for social progress.

Pang Sittakaradej & Massimo Vita: Innovative Financing Models for Sustainability

Another moment of inspiration came from Pang Sittakaradej and Massimo Vita, who shared their work on innovative financing models that blend funds from Europe and Asia to drive sustainability goals. Through Impact+ Advisory and ADB Ventures, they’re tackling global challenges by leveraging capital to promote local solutions.

Their approach reinforced for me how financing models are pivotal in scaling inclusive businesses. At Happy Ground, we’ve faced our own challenges with financing—from our angel round to securing grants for R&D. We’re now exploring blended financing strategies that can help scale our impact, especially when working in low-income communities that need tailored solutions.

Happy Ground's Journey: From Angel Investments to Corporate Partnerships

For my part, I shared Happy Ground’s journey, from the early days of our angel round to securing grants for R&D, and where we are today—exploring partnerships with corporates and investors to build impactful solutions. We are evolving our funding strategy to align with the inclusive business model, ensuring we create value for both the business and the communities we serve.

Through this journey, we’ve learned that the path to scaling a regenerative business is not linear. It’s about finding the right partners, connecting with those who share the same mission, and continually evolving our approach to meet the needs of the communities we work with.

The Need for Genuine Connections and Open Conversations

A key takeaway for me from the event was the importance of creating spaces for inclusive business founders to connect, collaborate, and share experiences honestly. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of running a business, but genuine, open conversations are vital to fostering growth, learning from each other, and driving sustainable, inclusive progress.

I want to thank Fai Wechayachai for his fun and engaging moderating approach, and all the incredible individuals who shared their insights and experiences. We are stronger together, and these conversations inspire us to continue pushing for solutions that create shared value for everyone in the value chain.

The Future of Inclusive Business in Southeast Asia

In Southeast Asia, where socioeconomic disparities are still significant, I firmly believe that Inclusive Business holds the key to fostering sustainable development. By bridging gaps, creating opportunities, and driving growth in underserved areas, inclusive businesses like Happy Ground can reshape economies while ensuring long-term sustainability for all.

We’re proud to be part of the global movement of inclusive businesses and look forward to continuing to drive positive change through our work in regenerative agriculture and carbon removal.