Top 10 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in Asia (2025)
As female entrepreneurs continue to shape the business landscape in Asia, numerous grant opportunities are emerging to provide the necessary financial support and resources they need to thrive. Here is a detailed rundown of the Top 10 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in Asia for 2025, featuring information on eligibility, grant amounts, application processes, and links to more details.
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1. The Cartier Women's Initiative
Description: An international annual entrepreneurship program dedicated to empowering women-led businesses that aim for social and environmental impact.
Geographic Focus: Open globally, with a focus on regional awards for Asia.
Grant Amount: First-place awardees receive $100,000, with additional levels at $60,000 and $30,000.
Application Deadline: Typically in July.
Additional Support: Coaching, networking, and media exposure.
2. The AWIEF Awards
Description: Recognizes and celebrates women entrepreneurs and innovators, primarily in Africa but with potential inclusion of Asian collaborations.
Geographic Focus: Primarily Africa; potential for Asian partnerships.
Grant Amount: Awards providing funding opportunities along with recognition.
Application Deadline: Usually in mid-year.
Additional Support: Access to mentorship and the AWIEF network.
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3. Google for Startups Women Founders Fund
Description: Offers equity-free funding and mentorship for women-led startups, particularly those innovating in AI.
Geographic Focus: India, Japan, and Korea.
Grant Amount: $100,000 in equity-free funding.
Application Deadline: Varies, typically in summer (July/August).
Additional Support: Technical assistance from Google experts.
4. She Loves Tech Global Startup Competition
Description: A competition focusing on technology startups led by women or positively impacting women.
Geographic Focus: Global with significant engagement from Asia.
Grant Amount: Includes seed funding and incubation programs, with total prizes varying per region.
Application Deadline: Generally mid-year.
Additional Support: Networking opportunities and mentorship.
5. The LiftHER Female Founders Grant Challenge
Description: A grant for women-led ventures across the Asia-Pacific region aiming at social and environmental change.
Geographic Focus: Asia-Pacific.
Grant Amount: US$40,000 in prizes.
Application Process: Involves an 8-week business coaching program.
Additional Support: Mentorship and community support.
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6. Asian Development Bank (ADB) Programs
Description: Supports initiatives that promote gender equality and women's entrepreneurship through various funding and development programs.
Geographic Focus: Asia and the Pacific region.
Grant Amount: Varies widely; includes direct funding and technical support.
Application Process: Through specific projects partnered with NGOs.
Additional Support: Capacity building and networking opportunities.
7. Facebook Community Accelerator Program
Description: This initiative supports community leaders and includes women-led groups by providing training and funding.
Geographic Focus: Asia among other regions.
Grant Amount: Up to $40,000 per community.
Application Process: Application-based targeting community leaders.
Additional Support: Training and access to Facebook's resources.
8. Global Fund for Women
Description: Funds women's rights organizations and initiatives, including those focused on entrepreneurship.
Geographic Focus: Global, with specific attention to regions in Asia.
Grant Amount: Varies, typically from $1,000 to $20,000.
Application Process: Through a targeted application process for specific groups.
Additional Support: Resources for networking and skill development.
9. Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award
Description: Focused on women entrepreneurs scaling solutions in health and food security across multiple regions, including Asia.
Geographic Focus: Asia Pacific.
Grant Amount: €25,000 cash support.
Application Process: A specific call for applications will be announced in 2025.
Additional Support: Participation in a 6-month accelerator program and networking visibility.
10. Local Government & NGO Grants
Description: Various local and national bodies, along with NGOs, offer focused grant opportunities for female entrepreneurs, typically smaller and more localized.
Geographic Focus: Specific regions or cities within Asia.
Grant Amount: Varies, generally smaller amounts for targeted projects.
Application Process: Local application processes through direct engagement.
Additional Support: Tailored training and resources specific to the local area.
This compilation of grants serves as a vital resource for female entrepreneurs in Asia looking for support and funding in 2025. As each program has distinct requirements and offerings, potential applicants should review them closely and apply where their businesses align best.
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FAQ
Q: What is the Cartier Women's Initiative?
A: The Cartier Women's Initiative is an international entrepreneurship program that empowers women-led businesses focusing on social and environmental impact. Learn more about the Cartier Women's Initiative.
Q: Who can apply for the AWIEF Awards?
A: The AWIEF Awards recognize and celebrate women entrepreneurs primarily in Africa, but may also include women with businesses or collaborations in Asia. Discover more about the AWIEF Awards.
Q: What does the Google for Startups Women Founders Fund offer?
A: The Google for Startups Women Founders Fund provides equity-free cash awards and support to women-led startups in Asia, with a focus on responsible AI innovation. Find out more about the program.
Q: What opportunities does the She Loves Tech Global Startup Competition provide?
A: The She Loves Tech Global Startup Competition offers seed funding and incubation programs for technology startups led by women or impacting women positively globally. Learn more about She Loves Tech.
Q: What is the LiftHER Female Founders Grant Challenge?
A: The LiftHER Female Founders Grant Challenge is a program for women-led ventures across the Asia-Pacific region, offering cash prizes and coaching. Explore the LiftHER program.
Q: What kind of support does the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provide?
A: The ADB supports gender equality and women’s entrepreneurship initiatives via projects, loans, grants, and technical assistance across Asia. Visit the ADB website for more information.
Q: What does the Facebook Community Accelerator Program aim to achieve?
A: The Facebook Community Accelerator Program supports community leaders building impactful Facebook groups, providing training, mentorship, and funding. Check out the Facebook Community Accelerator.
Q: What is the Global Fund for Women?
A: The Global Fund for Women supports women's rights organizations and may fund entrepreneurship initiatives, focusing on various regions, including Asia. Find out more about the Global Fund for Women.
Q: What does the Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award support?
A: The Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award assists women entrepreneurs scaling solutions in health and food security in various regions, including the Asia Pacific. Learn more about the Bayer Foundation.
Q: How can I find local government and NGO grants for female entrepreneurs?
A: Local and national government bodies, as well as NGOs, offer grants tailored to female entrepreneurs, usually requiring direct engagement for applications. Conduct a specific Google search to find local opportunities.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
