This opinion piece, originally published on The Butter, features insights from Corey Lien, CEO of DOMI Earth, on the future of social impact in Asia. Following his recent keynote in Singapore, Corey explores how we can transition from fragmented grantmaking to a unified, borderless impact infrastructure.
In November, I had the opportunity to speak at the Global Impact Chapter in Singapore. Surrounded by the region’s most innovative impact leaders, one truth became crystal clear: while Asia is economically and digitally integrated, our impact capital remains fragmented by borders, inconsistent standards, and trust gaps.
Capital flows easily across Asia, but credible, verifiable impact does not.
The Problem with the Status Quo
Currently, Asia’s impact ecosystem operates in silos—country-by-country and project-by-project. Whether it’s maternal health in Indonesia or education in Vietnam, outcomes are measured and funded differently. This isn't just a measurement issue; it's a market design problem.
Introducing a Shared Impact Asset Class
At Common Good Marketplace (CGM), we believe the solution lies in Verified Impact Assets™ (VIAs). By transforming verified social outcomes into a standardized, tradable unit of value, we allow markets to do what they do best: scale solutions efficiently.
A Strategic Leap Forward
I am thrilled to highlight our strategic partnership with MYSC, one of South Korea’s premier impact investors. Together, we are building the infrastructure to bring Asian outcomes to a global market without losing local specificity. As Jeongtae Kim, CEO of MYSC, aptly put it: we are "building the infrastructure for an economy that rewards what truly matters: human and societal flourishing."
The Vision
Asia already has borderless trade and supply chains. It is time we had borderless impact. We are building a future where social outcomes are treated as a serious, investable asset class.
The "Asian Impact Commons" isn't a distant dream—we are building it today.
Frequently asked questions
- What are Verified Impact Assets™ (VIAs)?
- VIAs are verified social outcomes transformed into a standardized, tradable unit of value, developed by Common Good Marketplace (CGM). They let markets scale impact efficiently by treating social outcomes as a serious, investable asset class.
- Why is Asia’s impact capital described as fragmented?
- Although Asia is economically and digitally integrated, its impact ecosystem operates in silos — country-by-country and project-by-project — with inconsistent standards and trust gaps, so credible, verifiable impact does not flow across borders the way capital does.
- Who is DOMI Earth partnering with to build this infrastructure?
- DOMI Earth, through Common Good Marketplace, has formed a strategic partnership with MYSC, one of South Korea’s premier impact investors, to bring Asian outcomes to a global market without losing local specificity.