Dentsu Aegis Network, a number one international media agency, pronounces the return of Female Foundry for a second yr. Female Foundry is a prestigious accelerator program that educates, mentors and provides access to funding to leading female-founded startups in Southeast Asia.
Female Foundry, Female Founders and West Tech Fest launch a program for Western and Southeast Asian female tech entrepreneurs through Thursday, October 26, 2017.
This six-week programme will provide chosen women entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia with access to tools and networks, training on methods to scale platforms and skills to construct commercially viable businesses.
In addition to education and mentoring, this system culminates in a demo day to assist secure potential second-round funding, a key hurdle for women-led startups within the region.
“Dentsu Aegis Network is excited to lead the industry in supporting women entrepreneurs in emerging markets,” said Joanna Catalano, CEO of iProspect Asia Pacific in an announcement to Good News from Southeast Asia. She can be a key driver of the Female Foundry initiative within the region.
She added: “We continue to support initiatives that leverage technology for good and drive meaningful and lasting change in society. Building on the success and learnings of the past year, and in partnership with leading influencers, we are excited to welcome our second group of founders.”
As a part of this system, qualified participants will work with experienced industry mentors, including Darshini Santhanam of APAC Marketing, Microsoft Advertising, Paula Taylor, Executive Director and Co-Founder of West Tech Fest, and Katarina Hasbani, CEO of Female Founders.
Nick Waters, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Asia Pacific, said: “Female Foundry helps prepare startups by equipping them with the necessary tools, networks, skills and strategies to succeed in the digital economy. Through Female Foundry, we hope to provide a platform that will support and empower women in emerging markets, where 80% of the world’s middle class will live in 10 years.”
“We plan to expand the program to Latin America and Africa next year, as part of our plan to bring Female Foundry to 30 markets worldwide in 30 months,” he added.
The winner of the demo day will then receive funding to travel to West Tech Fest, Australia’s premier innovation festival held in Perth, to showcase their winning idea on the 2017 Startup Challenge in December.
This yr, Bill Tai, Silicon Valley enterprise capitalist and founding father of ACTAI Global, will join this system as an advisor and judge throughout the pitch day.
Interested participants can apply at:www.thefemalefoundry.com.
