Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies can provide increased funding opportunities through grants and venture capital to further enhance the enabling environment for their women entrepreneurs to survive, scale, and become sustainable.
In a news alert, APEC Policy Support Unit (PSU) analyst Rhea Crisologo Hernando cited concrete policy recommendations to promote women-led startups highlighted in a recent report produced by the APEC PSU.
Startups, or firms three years of age or younger, have proliferated in APEC economies, with an estimated total of 169 million firms formed in 2014-2023 in the APEC region. There were around 59.7 million startups in the APEC region in 2023, or 17 percent of all firms.
“Enhancing access to funding is essential for empowering women-led startups. Government grants can provide the resources needed to develop minimum viable products and access critical technologies and talent,” she said.
Hernando said partnerships with financial institutions to offer lower interest rates and awareness campaigns about available financing options can further level the playing field, enabling women entrepreneurs to make informed decisions for business growth.
Further, women startups are often quite quickly looking to scale their companies beyond their home markets, but face challenges to access networks, travel, and secure trade finance.
”To address challenges in scaling internationally, governments can support trade missions, connect entrepreneurs with foreign buyers, and promote network-building to unlock global opportunities,” she added.
Hernando said women-led startups remain significantly underrepresented in venture capital funding, often receiving less support than their male counterparts.
The report said that when they do, women-led startups receive less funding, which limits their ability to hire talent and scale their businesses.
“Initiatives such as women-led investment funds, private investor syndicates, and government-backed programs can help bridge this gap by channeling more capital to women entrepreneurs,” Hernando said.
“Recognizing the diversity of women-led startups, governments must also tailor support to reflect economic and geographic differences. This ensures women in rural or less-developed areas receive resources that address their unique challenges and opportunities,” she added.
To foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, the report identified other policies, programs and interventions which the APEC economies can adopt.
Hernando said these are early exposure to entrepreneurship and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, networking and mentorship, collection of sex-disaggregated data, and workplace policies and stereotypes.
“Partnerships between educational institutions and tech companies can provide internships and hands-on experiences, preparing young women for careers in high-demand fields. Addressing systemic barriers and creating leadership pathways can unlock the full potential of women and girls, driving global innovation and economic progress,” she added.
