5.7 Percent Of Startups In Asia-Pacific Led By Female Entrepreneurs

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Thursday, 6 July 2023

Women continue to be a minority when it comes to founding startups in the Asia Pacific. A recent JPMorgan Chase & Co. study found that currently only 5.7 percent of startups in Asia-Pacific are led by female entrepreneurs. The statistic has remained unchanged for the past five years concluded the report while highlighting the dismal participation of women in the APAC startup ecosystem. This challenege also persists in top leadership roles of high-growth private businesses in APAC. Currently out of 15,000 companies only 848 firms are founded or led by women.

The sorry state of affairs exists owing to a variety of factors. Women still face challenegs owing to patriarchal mindset of the society. However, systemic challenges remain too. Women foudners receive way lesser funding, are unable to break into the ‘boy’s club’ that is the Asian startup ecosystem. network building is another important facet of buiding a successful startup that also remains out of reach of Asian women entrepreneurs.

Although the challenegs are aplenty, women still persist. Women founders are creating high-growth, high-value organziations that have gone on to become immensely successful. The current edition of Women Entrepreneur magazine aims to celebrate such women entrepreneurs.

On the cover we feature the formidable Maria Sucgang, Founder and CEO of Remotify. Her career journey filled with interactions and experiences focused on shifting perceptions, carved the way for her entrepreneurial venture. In 2021, she founded Remotify, a female-led company, and an Employer of Record solution that enables freedom, security and flexibility for businesses and employees. Her aims is to make remote outsourcing simple, excellent, cost-effective and sustainable for all. 

Joing her is another dunamic entrepreneur, Dawn Heng, Director & Co- Founder, Merandi Global Consulting. Dawn is a passionate entrepreneur who is dedicated to promoting wellness, healthy living, and a holistic approach to wellness for individuals and businesses.Her mission is to help people through wellness marketing and create a positive impact on the world, including charitable organizations. She is the founder of Great Well Marketing Consultancy and the upcoming global healthcare and wellness marketplace and brand advocacy platform. 

Sharon Tham, Founder & Managing Director, is another reputed women leader featured in the magazine. A B.Sc (Hons) in Accounting & Finance from the University of London, Sharon is a business doyen who holds dynamic experience across start-ups, talent acquisition, talent development & management, organizational development, change management, compensation & benefits, employer branding, employee communications, employee engagement, succession planning, compliance, and industrial relations. Currently, imbibing it all, she has been proficiently leading Starz Advise Management as the Founder & MD.

Last but not the least we have Vanessa Gibbons, Co-Founder & CMO, SIMPLYGOOD. With 19 years of experience in diverse markets across the Asia Pacific, she is conscientiously leading the CPG industry through an eco-friendly initiative- SIMPLYGOOD. She is an award-winning global executive recognized for her ability to lead and inspire teams to reach new heights and deliver breakthrough impact.

These women are breaking all stereotypes about women and their ability to build and run successful startups and busiensses in the Asian business landscape. Theur sories will serve as shining examples that will motivate the next generation of women leaders.

Do let us know your thoughts.