In Indonesia, startups are turning plastic waste into paving blocks and building tech that boosts income for waste collectors. Yet, MSMEs driving circular innovation remain locked out of capital. Through our Future Economy Lab, we worked with Duitin, PlusTik, and Rezycology to explore what inclusive finance must look like—flexible, patient, and tied to impact. The innovation exists. What’s missing are financial systems built for their reality.

When creditworthiness is code for privilege, character-based lending offers a quiet rebellion. From Native CDFIs asking “who are their people?” to group lending in Bangladesh, finance rooted in trust, accountability, and relationship is rewriting the rules. It’s not about abandoning rigour but redefining risk—proving that when trust performs, communities thrive.

Young people co-create the tools they actually need, leading to more trust, traction, and impact. The result: 8.4 million reached, over 75 million dollars raised, and a model that is changing how funders think about innovation. At SecondMuse Capital, we see this not as a trend, but a blueprint for designing capital that truly supports mental health equity.