The LiftHER Female Founders Grant Challenge is back and bigger than ever, offering US$40K in prizes to empower women-led ventures across Asia-Pacific.
After a successful first edition that saw startups from five countries, this year’s program promises to further champion female entrepreneurs who are driving real social and environmental change. With applications now open, it’s time for the next generation of trailblazers to take their businesses to new heights with mentorship, funding, and a chance to make a lasting impact. Building on the success of the 2023 inaugural global edition—where nine start-ups from over 300 applications across five APAC regions were selected—the program continues to champion women-led ventures driving impactful social and environmental change across the region.
The previous cohort featured founders from Australia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the Philippines, representing a diverse array of businesses from MedTech to innovative consumer products. Recognised for their potential to drive significant social and environmental change, these startups exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of the Asia-Pacific region, collectively boasting over 500,000 followers and millions of views across social media platforms and earning features in prominent publications such as Forbes, CNN, and LinkedIn Top Voice.
This year’s program will again select nine exceptional finalists to undergo an intensive 8-week business and crowdfunding coaching program. Past winners include OVUM (Australia), an AI-powered personal health assistant for women, which earned the Best Project Award, La Foundary (Australia), a company transforming waste into biomaterials using mycelium, which won Best Innovation Award and Urban Farmer TV (Philippines) —dubbed the “Netflix for urban gardening”— taking home the People’s Choice Award.
Irene Tsang, Founder and CEO of LIFTWOMEN®, believes that empowering female entrepreneurs is essential to creating a more equitable world. For her, the LiftHER Female Founders Grant Challenge is more than just a competition—it’s a platform to address systemic funding gaps that have historically hindered women-led ventures.
“Investing in women is investing in solutions that make our world sustainable and better,” she says. “The LiftHER Cohort demonstrates the transformative power of women-led innovation in tackling global challenges. These founders are not just building businesses; they are catalysts for positive change, contributing to a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape. We are proud to support their journeys toward financial empowerment.”
Joseph Chan, CEO of AsiaPay Group, who has partnered with LIFTWOMEN® again on the initiative, echoed these sentiments: “The calibre of past applicants has been outstanding. These talented women are shaping industries where technology, sustainability, and gender equality intersect. AsiaPay is proud to support LIFTWOMEN®—a program that reflects our values of innovation and inclusive growth across Asia.”
Applications for the second LiftHER Grant Challenge opened today, 11 November 2024 and close on 3 January 2025, with finalists announced at the end of January. Finalists will embark on the 8-week coaching program with support from international mentors, beginning in February, leading up to the Pitch Night in April 2025, where participants will compete for a total of $40,000 in grant funding which will be awarded and split across four categories: the Sustainable Future, Innovation & Impact, Digital Commerce and People’s Choice Award.
LIFTWOMEN® was established in 2021 to bridge the gender funding gap through equity-free and debt-free capital, providing female entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and community support they need to succeed. With operations across Australia and Asia, the platform fosters financial inclusion and sustainable growth for women-led businesses.
AsiaPay Capital, the incubation arm of AsiaPay Group, plays a pivotal role in the program by offering mentorship, financial support, and advanced payment solutions. Through its focus on innovation and sustainable business development, AsiaPay Capital helps startups scale across Asia’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Interested applicants can submit their businesses via this website https://www.lifther.liftwomen.com/. The Program Outline is available here and the application form is here.
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