Martin Ong, an Icon of Change from Singapore

Icons of Change International Awards 2025

Martin Ong
Partner at Silverbear Capital Inc., New York
Board Member at City Harvest Community Services Association, Singapore

SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
Global Excellence in Strategic Partnerships and Cross-Border Investment

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In an era where the velocity of capital and ideas defines geopolitical influence and economic opportunity, Martin Ong has emerged as a distinguished figure whose contributions have continuously advanced inclusive and sustainable development through high-trust partnerships and resilient cross-border strategies.

A seasoned executive and strategic advisor with over 30 years of multi-sector experience, Martin Ong has consistently demonstrated a rare ability to navigate the ever-evolving intersections of finance, international trade, and public-private collaboration. His body of work demonstrates a visionary approach to bridging regional aspirations with global capital, underpinned by values of integrity, long-term impact, and shared prosperity.

As a Partner at SilverBear Capital Inc., Martin plays a pivotal role in connecting capital with purpose—curating investment and funding structures that drive growth for companies across diverse verticals including infrastructure, energy, fintech, and emerging technologies. His unique position as a trusted advisor to both capital allocators and enterprise leaders has made him an indispensable conduit for sustainable global investment.

At the helm of Zion Capital Advisory, an MAS-registered advisory boutique headquartered in Singapore, Martin continues to steward financial transactions and capital restructuring initiatives that support economic inclusion and good governance. Under his leadership, Zion Capital has advised an impressive range of clients, including publicly listed corporations, SMEs, and strategic family offices. Through these engagements, he champions the core tenets of SDG 17: promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration and amplifying global partnerships to meet national and regional development targets.

A testament to his entrepreneurial ethos, Martin is also the founder of the First Automobile Group, which has exported over 10,000 vehicles to more than 20 countries—a feat that has not only driven trade but has also enhanced the logistical capabilities and commercial infrastructure of emerging economies.

Martin’s corporate stewardship extends to his service as Board Member of Asiel Advisory Pte. Ltd., a multi-dimensional advisory firm operating across Singapore, the Philippines, and the UAE. In this capacity, he supports institutional clients in navigating the nuanced terrains of corporate finance, governance structuring, and innovation-led transformation. His efforts have played a key role in shaping responsible business models attuned to both global market pressures and local socio-economic dynamics.

Previously, as Asia-Pacific Trade Director of the Tewoo Group, a Fortune 500 state-owned enterprise in China, Martin was instrumental in expanding regional procurement operations and trade flows for over a decade. His leadership fortified vital commodity supply chains and contributed meaningfully to Asia’s industrial evolution.

What sets Martin apart is his commitment to values-driven capitalism. He is a firm believer that ethical leadership, spiritual discernment, and a deep sense of accountability must co-exist with profit and performance. A product of rigorous academic and spiritual training, Martin holds an MBA from the University of Roehampton (UK), an Associate Degree in Ministry, and is currently completing his Bachelor’s in Theology—a convergence that fuels his holistic and purpose-centered leadership.

His philanthropic engagements—including his service to City Harvest Community Services Association—affirm his conviction that transformative leadership must extend beyond boardrooms into communities where real impact is measured not in numbers, but in lives uplifted.

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Icons of Change 2025 Honor

It is with great esteem that we recognize Martin Ong as a laureate of the Icons of Change International Awards 2025, under the theme of Global Excellence in Strategic Partnerships and Cross-Border Investment. His exemplary work embodies the spirit and ambition of SDG 17, building alliances that are not merely transactional but transformative—anchored in vision, trust, and a long view of progress.

By weaving together capital intelligence, entrepreneurial foresight, and human-centered principles, Martin Ong has not only fueled business growth, but has also expanded the very architecture of global cooperation and inclusive development.

May this recognition stand as a testament to his enduring impact—and as an inspiration to current and future leaders committed to building a more integrated, equitable, and sustainable global society.

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