Impact Stories
Insights from TRANSFORM entrepreneurs on building refill business models
TRANSFORM has funded and supported 18 SMEs that focus on building the circular economy, ranging from those pioneering technical innovations…
For over a decade, TRANSFORM changed lives by tackling global challenges through innovative enterprise
About TRANSFORM
Established in 2015, TRANSFORM was a joint initiative led by Unilever, the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and EY. Together, we set out to help impact entrepreneurs test and scale commercially self-sustaining, market-driven solutions to some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.
We built TRANSFORM on the principles of public-private collaboration and reciprocity, combining resources, expertise and networks to support locally led innovation. Through this approach, we worked alongside impact enterprises to create value for communities, entrepreneurs and partners alike.
Over the course of the initiative, we supported over 160 impact enterprise and research projects across 19 countries in Asia and Africa, reaching more than 21 million people.
The initiative came to an end in 2026 having exceeded its original ambition, but we have captured insights and lessons in our open-access playbook. We hope the TRANSFORM model lives on through others who adapt it, apply it and take its impact further.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Future of Work
Raise Living Standards
Protect & Regenerate Nature
Waste-Free World
Digital health
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enterprise & research projects supported
£
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m
provided in grant funding and business support
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m+
people reached
Project resources
Whether you're a donor, enterprise, business, investor or simply want to learn more, explore our collection of insights, tools, case studies and learning resources.
Impact Stories
Future of Work: In Images – Jackson
MEET JACKSON Jackson rises before the sun and begins his day crafting mandazi and making tea for the 5 am…
Impact Stories
TRANSFORM: Our Portfolio
TRANSFORM unites corporates, donors, investors and academics to support visionary impact enterprises. Working together, they test and scale new solutions…
Impact Stories
Portfolio Learnings: How HappyTap is changing handwashing behaviour in Bangladesh
HappyTap, a social business that produces and distributes a portable sink for low-income communities, takes the spotlight in the latest…
Enterprise projects
TRANSFORM's impact enterprises are tackling some of the world's most pressing development challenges in an inclusive, sustainable and innovative way.
Azzahra Multi Solusindo (AMS)
Azzahra Multi Solusindo (AMS) is reducing ocean-bound plastic waste by improving refill and recycling systems in low-income communities in Indonesia….
U Join / U Afya by Every1Mobile
In places like Nairobi, shopkeepers are ideally positioned to serve low-income communities with essential health, hygiene and nutrition products. However,…
Hasiru Dala Innovations
In India, informal waste-pickers are the largest contributors to plastic circularity but often operate in exploitative and hazardous conditions. As…
Lohjinawi
Lohjinawi partners with local waste banks to collect recyclables and provide fair income to waste collectors, turning individual efforts into…
Coast4C
Coast 4C is on a mission to build the world’s largest value chain for regenerative seaweed, while strengthening the economic…
Brink
Brink is a research organisation that approaches complex challenges through the lens of ‘behavioural innovation’, combining behavioural science and innovation…
Jeeon
Behaviour change and access to essential products and services are often cited as one of the major barriers preventing Bangladesh…
Green Worms
Green Worms is advancing recycling technologies to produce high-quality recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE), addressing not only the challenge of plastic…