HCMC – Impact Link Asia and MicroFund on Tuesday launched EcoChain to ease funding constraints for impact-driven small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by ensuring that access to capital is directly tied to measurable social and environmental outcomes.
The platform is described as Vietnam’s first dual-scoring system that combines impact scoring and credit scoring, helping funders deploy capital more efficiently while preparing a pathway for banks to follow.
It is based on the global Impact-Linked Finance (ILF) model, which rewards businesses for creating positive outcomes for people and the environment.
“Impact SMEs require loans, usually below VND1 billion, which are overlooked by traditional banks due to operational costs and collateral demands,” said Lam Ngoc Thao, founder & CEO of Impact Link Asia.
“EcoChain provides patient financial products that give these businesses the breathing space to grow while creating lasting impact. In the early years, funders will play a catalytic role, paving the way for banks to confidently enter this market with more inclusive and innovative financial solutions,” she added.
Vietnam is taking significant steps toward a green and inclusive transition by supporting the private sector. Under Resolution 68-NQ/TW 2025, banks are encouraged to develop “green” and impact-focused financial products.
While these initiatives are promising, they are still in the early stages of development. Many banks currently lack clear criteria for evaluating impact, and high operational costs remain a barrier to effectively serving SMEs at scale.
EcoChain directly addresses these challenges. By standardizing evaluation methods and reducing due diligence costs, the platform enables banks to more easily adopt impact-oriented lending models, especially once funders help catalyze the ecosystem.
