Expanding Access to Education and Employability
Pace Forward is a woman-led social enterprise in Myanmar dedicated to expanding access to quality education and employability skills for underserved communities. Through online education and training programmes aligned with labour-market needs, Pace Forward equips young people in Southeast Asia with transferrable skills contributing to inclusive economic development.
Founder Ei Thinzar Phyo (Stacie) shares her entrepreneurial journey and reflects on how the #ImpactLink Programme strengthened her funding readiness, refined her impact narrative, and enhanced her engagement with partners and funders.
Ei Thinzar Phyo (Stacie), Founder of Pace Forward, interviewed during the business showcase at the 8th ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (11–14 September), held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025.
➤ What key challenges did you have in scaling your social enterprise?
Before ImpactLink, I had not taken a structured approach to fundraising. While Pace Forward was generating revenue and delivering impact, I was uncertain whether to prioritise external funding or rely on internal cash flow for expansion, and I did not yet have a clear fundraising roadmap.
Through ImpactLink, I began developing a Strategic Fundraising Plan, clarifying our capital requirements over the next 18–24 months and identifying funding instruments appropriate to our stage of growth. I also initiated systematic mapping of potential funders and partners aligned with our mission, while preparing key financial and operational documents required for due diligence.
This process helped me move from a general interest in fundraising to a more deliberate, informed, and strategic approach, even as I continue refining decisions around timing and sequencing.
I also realized that “it is equally important to translate what we do into a clear and compelling story”, especially when engaging with potential partners or investors. ImpactLink helped me strengthen this capability by introducing a structured framework for articulating impact—something I had not previously applied, as I had focused mainly on traditional, profit-based explanations. The programme enabled me to communicate our impact, sustainability, and growth trajectory in a more integrated and investor-relevant way.
As a result, I now have greater clarity about Pace Forward’s value proposition and differentiation. When engaging with potential partners or funders, I am able to explain our mission, impact, and growth strategy clearly and concisely, similar to an elevator pitch. This clarity has strengthened my confidence in professional engagements and improved my effectiveness in time-constrained discussions.
➤ How has your approach to communicating impact evolved?
Previously, I relied heavily on large impact numbers to demonstrate our work. While the numbers were important, they lacked a personal dimension. Through ImpactLink, I learned the importance of combining quantitative metrics with beneficiary stories. Including personal stories makes our impact more tangible, emotional, and credible—particularly for stakeholders who want to understand the real change behind the data. This approach has helped me better balance data and storytelling when presenting Pace Forward to external audiences.
“Previously, my impact metrics were very big numbers, but there were no personal stories behind them.”
“Through ImpactLink, I learned how important it is to include beneficiary stories to make our impact more emotional and credible.”
– Ei Thinzar Phyo (Stacie), Founder of Pace Forward
➤ How has #ImpactLink supported your readiness to receive funding or grants?
ImpactLink helped me slow down and begin thinking from the perspective of a funder, not only as a founder. Through the programme, I was encouraged to clearly articulate how funding would translate into tangible outcomes—who it would unlock access for, what level of change it could accelerate, and what would remain out of reach without that support.
Working in depth on our Theory of Change, impact metrics, and financial planning significantly strengthened my confidence in presenting Pace Forward’s Study+Work programme as a focused and fundable initiative. I am now better able to demonstrate a clear use of funds, measurable impact pathways, and realistic implementation planning aligned with stakeholder expectations.
Beyond technical preparation, ImpactLink also strengthened my strategic clarity and confidence in engaging with potential funders and partners. I now approach funding conversations with stronger narrative, clearer evidence, and a deeper understanding of how to position our work within broader social and economic outcomes. As a result, I feel more prepared to pursue grants and partnerships in a deliberate, transparent, and impact-driven way, ensuring that any future funding meaningfully advances opportunities for the young people and communities we serve.
Learn more about Pace Forward at: https://pace-forward.com/
Disclaimers:
This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute the promotion or endorsement of the featured business. Interview content has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
#ImpactLink is an initiative of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, launched in FY2025, to systematically strengthen the funding and investment readiness and professional capabilities of women-led social enterprises across ASEAN and Japan. The programme convenes entrepreneurs from both regions to enhance financial literacy, digital competencies, and investment readiness, while enabling the effective translation of knowledge into practical, investment-relevant action.
The Centre works as an Enabler, collaborating with ecosystem partners to support inclusive entrepreneurship through capacity-building programmes, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration.
Be a part of the #Impactlink and send us an email at info_rpa@asean.or.jp
