Hashstacs

Originally founded as Hashstacs Pte Ltd in 2019, the Singapore-based company has rebranded to ESGpedia, aligning its identity with its flagship platform. The venture was started by Benjamin Soh, a fintech entrepreneur who previously co-founded Broctagon Fintech Group, and a team of banking veterans with a vision to simplify global markets. Soh serves as the Managing Director, and the company is chaired by Ray Ferguson, the former CEO of Standard Chartered Singapore, who brings extensive experience in capital markets and scaling technology ventures.

ESGpedia operates at the intersection of financial technology and sustainability, providing a comprehensive data and technology platform focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. The company serves a diverse client base that includes financial institutions, such as global banks, stock exchanges, and asset managers, as well as corporations and SMEs across Asia Pacific. Its business model centers on offering digital solutions that empower companies to manage ESG reporting, carbon accounting, and sustainable supply chains. Revenue is generated through its suite of ESG solutions, which includes the ESGpedia platform, the Vetta smart contract platform, and ESG Playbooks.

The company's core offering, ESGpedia, is an industry-wide platform that provides access to high-quality ESG data, certifications, and analytics, aggregating over 5 million sustainability data points. This platform powers notable initiatives like the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Project Greenprint ESG Registry, which aims to combat greenwashing by tracking sustainability data. ESGpedia features two main components: Nexus and Intelligence. Nexus is a marketplace that connects companies with sustainability solutions and allows them to create ESG profiles and automatically convert operational data into greenhouse gas emissions reports. Intelligence uses AI to harmonize unstructured ESG data, providing a complete picture for banks, investors, and corporations. Another key product is the Vetta platform, a smart contract system deployed since 2020 that automates the monitoring and lifecycle management of ESG-linked financial products like bonds, loans, and carbon credits.

Since its inception, the company has achieved significant milestones, including receiving the MAS FSTI POC grant for its collaboration with EFG Bank on 'Project Nathan' to digitize structured products using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). It has also joined Mastercard's Start Path program and formed strategic partnerships with numerous financial institutions and corporations, including OCBC Bank, Deutsche Bank, and BNP Paribas. Initially focused on leveraging blockchain to streamline financial processes, the firm has strategically pivoted to address the surging demand for ESG data and sustainable finance solutions. The platform is now integrated into regional efforts such as the UNESCAP's Asia-Pacific Green Deal and the Asia-Pacific Single Accesspoint for ESG Data (SAFE) initiative.

Keywords: ESG data, sustainable finance, carbon accounting, ESG reporting, green fintech, supply chain sustainability, ESGpedia, distributed ledger technology, smart contracts, Project Greenprint, MAS, financial technology, sustainability data, corporate sustainability, ESG compliance, impact reporting, Asia-Pacific, sustainable supply chain, Vetta platform, Benjamin Soh