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Top 25 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in Asia in 2025

Top 25 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in Asia in 2025

The entrepreneurial landscape in Asia is rapidly evolving, with increasing support for female entrepreneurs. From cash prizes to accelerator programs, these grants aim to empower women-led businesses. Here's a comprehensive list of the Top 25 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in Asia for 2025, complete with details on eligibility, focus areas, and application deadlines.
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1. Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award 2025

Grant Amount: €25,000 cash prize
Region: Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East
Focus: Women-led enterprises focused on innovative solutions in health and food security
Additional Benefits: 6-month accelerator program, sponsored trip to award ceremony, visibility through communication activities, access to alumni network
Deadline: February 18, 2025

2. Women's Venture Competition 2025

Grant Amount: Up to €500,000 in equity investment
Region: Global
Focus: Women-led oncology companies
Deadline: March 15, 2025

3. 100 x 100 Challenge: Unlocking US$100 million for 100,000 women entrepreneurs in Asia and the Pacific

Grant Amount: Part of a funding pool of US$100 million
Region: Asia and the Pacific
Target: 100,000 women entrepreneurs
Methods: Innovative financing such as fintech funds, women's bonds, and impact investment
Expected Impact: Improved regulatory environment, digital solutions, and new economic opportunities
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4. Young Women Entrepreneurs' Exchange Program (YWEEP) 2024-2025

Region: Australia, ASEAN member states, and Timor-Leste
Focus: Young (18-40) female social entrepreneurs
Activities: Online and in-person leadership development, business skills building, networking
Additional Information: Includes a one-week visit to Australia for participants

5. Women's Fund Asia 2024-2025

Grant Amount: Up to USD 8,000 for individual grants, and up to USD 30,000 for organizational grants
Region: 19 Asian countries (South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia)
Focus: Supporting feminist movements and human rights initiatives
Grant Type: Core grants for organizations and programmatic grants for individuals

6. Budget 2025: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Funding Amount: RM470 million in financing funds via various banks
Region: Malaysia
Target: Women in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
Loan Focus: Working capital and asset purchase
Additional Info: RM650 million allocated to support women and youth entrepreneurship

7. IFundWomen Grants

Type: Database of grant opportunities for women-owned businesses
Eligibility: Women-owned small businesses (specific criteria vary by grant)
Region: Various global regions including Asia
Application Process: Universal Grant Application to be entered into the database

8. Development Aid Grants Database

Type: Database of grants in Asia
Region: Asia
Sectors: Various sectors
Specific Grants: Includes listings from organizations like the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Global Fund, and others

9. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women Connect

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: APEC member economies
Focus: Enhancing access to finance, capacity building, and market access for women entrepreneurs
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs in APEC countries

10. United Nations Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator

Grant Amount: Varies with project scope
Region: Global with a focus on underrepresented markets including Asia
Focus: Digital literacy, business mentorship, and market access for women-owned businesses
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on marginalized groups
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11. SheTrades Initiative by International Trade Centre

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Global with a specific focus on developing countries in Asia
Focus: Enhancing competitiveness and connectivity for women entrepreneurs
Eligibility: Women-owned businesses

12. Asian Development Bank (ADB) Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi)

Grant Amount: Varies based on project
Region: ADB member countries in Asia
Focus: Supporting women-led SMEs through financial and technical assistance
Eligibility: Women-led SMEs in ADB member countries

13. Cartier Women's Initiative

Grant Amount: Up to US$100,000
Region: Global with focus regions, including Asia
Focus: Women-led social enterprises
Deadline: Annually, check for specific 2025 dates

14. Visa Everywhere Initiative: Women’s Global Edition

Grant Amount: Up to US$100,000
Region: Global
Focus: Fintech and social impact initiatives led by women
Eligibility: Women-led startups and social enterprises

15. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Global with a strong presence in Asia
Focus: Access to business education and capital for women entrepreneurs
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs seeking business growth
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16. Citi Foundation: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Program

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Asia Pacific
Focus: Empowering women entrepreneurs through financial education and business support
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs in Asia Pacific

17. Johnson & Johnson Women in STEM2D Scholars Program

Grant Amount: Up to US$150,000
Region: Global
Focus: Supporting women in STEM²D (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing, and Design)
Eligibility: Women working in the fields of STEM2D

18. Facebook SheMeansBusiness

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Global
Focus: Training and support for women entrepreneurs to enhance digital skills
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs

19. SAP Next-Gen Female Founders

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Global
Focus: Supporting women-led tech startups through mentorship, training, and funding opportunities
Eligibility: Women-led tech startups

20. Mastercard Start Path Woman

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Global
Focus: Supporting women-led startups in fintech and commerce
Eligibility: Women-led startups

21. EY Entrepreneurial Winning Womenâ„¢ Asia-Pacific

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Asia-Pacific
Focus: Identifying and supporting high-potential women entrepreneurs
Eligibility: Women-led businesses with significant growth potential

22. Women’s World Banking Innovation Fund

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Global with a focus on emerging markets in Asia
Focus: Supporting financial inclusion for women through innovative financial products
Eligibility: Financial institutions and fintechs targeting women customers

23. Global Fund for Women Accelerator

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Global with focus regions, including Asia
Focus: Supporting women's rights movements and grassroots initiatives
Eligibility: Women-led organizations and initiatives

24. UNDP Youth Co:Lab

Grant Amount: Varies
Region: Asia-Pacific
Focus: Promoting youth-led social entrepreneurship with a strong emphasis on gender inclusivity
Eligibility: Youth-led startups and social enterprises

25. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards

Grant Amount: Up to US$16,000
Region: Global with participation from Asian countries
Focus: Supporting women who are primary financial supporters of their families in pursuing education and training
Eligibility: Women with financial need
Carefully consider each grant's specific requirements and deadlines, and visit their official websites to apply or seek further information. These grants offer valuable opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Asia to access funding, mentorship, and networking resources needed to thrive in their ventures.
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FAQ

Q: What is the Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award 2025?
A: The Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award 2025 offers a €25,000 cash prize, a 6-month accelerator program, and access to a global network for women-led enterprises focused on health and food security. Learn more about Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award 2025.
Q: What grants are available for female-led oncology companies?
A: The Women's Venture Competition 2025 focuses on female-led oncology companies and offers substantial support. Discover more details.
Q: What initiative aims to unlock $100 million for female entrepreneurs in Asia and the Pacific?
A: The 100 x 100 Challenge aims to unlock USD 100 million in financing for 100,000 women entrepreneurs in Asia and the Pacific through innovative financial solutions. Explore the 100 x 100 Challenge.
Q: Are there specific databases to search for grants in Asia?
A: Yes, Development Aid provides a comprehensive database of various grants in Asia. Search for grants on Development Aid.
Q: What support is available for young female social entrepreneurs in ASEAN?
A: The AAC - 2024-25 Young Women Entrepreneurs' Exchange Program offers leadership development, networking opportunities, and includes a one-week visit to Australia for young (18-40) female social entrepreneurs. Find out more about the AAC Program.
Q: How does iFundWomen Grants support female entrepreneurs?
A: iFundWomen Grants provides a database of opportunities for women-owned small businesses, matching applicants with various corporate-sponsored grants. Learn more about iFundWomen Grants.
Q: What financing support is available for women in MSMEs in Malaysia?
A: The Budget 2025 in Malaysia includes RM470 million in financing funds and RM650 million to support women and youth entrepreneurship. Read about Budget 2025 in Malaysia.
Q: What kind of grants does the Women's Fund Asia offer?
A: Women's Fund Asia provides grants up to USD 8,000 for individuals and up to USD 30,000 for organizations, focusing on supporting feminist movements and human rights initiatives. Learn more about Women's Fund Asia.
Q: What additional benefits do winners of the Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award receive? A: In addition to the €25,000 cash prize, winners get a 6-month accelerator program, visibility through communication activities, a sponsored trip to the award ceremony, and access to an alumni network. Discover more benefits.
Q: What opportunities exist under the IFundWomen Grants for Asian female entrepreneurs? A: IFundWomen Grants offers various grant opportunities for women-owned small businesses, with applications entered into a universal database to match with available grants. Explore IFundWomen Grants.

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.
2025-06-12 06:49 Top 25