Southeast Asia leads the world in the number of women earning STEM degrees. Across the region, 48% of students in science, technology, engineering, and math are women. But that number isn’t yet reflected in the regional tech industry.

Despite their qualifications, women make up only 36% of the tech workforce in Southeast Asia. One major reason for this bottleneck is that many Southeast Asian women exit the workforce due to caregiving and household responsibilities, whether temporarily or permanently. For those taking only a career break, returning to work is often difficult.

Beyond traditional beliefs and lingering stigma that women cannot perform well in tech, those who strive to advance their careers face even greater challenges. Limited access to funding, scarce mentorship opportunities, and the lack of relatable role models make the path even narrower.

Representation Isn’t Just the Right Thing

On 18 September 2025, Mega Prawita, Managing Director at KUMPUL, joined founders, investors, and policymakers at the Malaysia Digital Xceleration (MDX) Summit to speak about women’s leadership in tech. During the discussion, she highlighted the truth about women’s contributions to the tech landscape in Southeast Asia.

Women-led startups generate 35% higher ROI (BCG, 2018/2022), and companies with at least 30% women in leadership roles report 15% higher profitability (McKinsey & Co, 2020). The ripple effect extends further. Women reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families and communities (World Bank, UN Women, Harvard Kennedy School, 2022), making them essential drivers of inclusive growth.

Building Gender-Inclusive Innovation from the Ground Up

Since 2020, KUMPUL has supported 573 women entrepreneurs through its women empowerment programs. In the startup space, 73 out of 392 startups supported by KUMPUL are women-led, spanning sectors such as healthcare, education, fintech, social impact, and sustainability. In the MSME segment, 500 out of 805 businesses are led by women, many operating in food and beverage, fashion and beauty, or traditional market trades.

KUMPUL’s approach goes beyond technical assistance. Each program is designed to meet women where they are in their entrepreneurial journey. Flagship initiatives include:

• WomenCreate
  Supported by Indonesia Women Startup Weekend, Google for Startups, and Techstars, this program aimed to improve women’s access to finance and markets. It selected 20 women-led enterprises from 193 applicants and provided support across 7 cities.
• PerempuanBijakBerusaha.id
  Supported by Microsoft, this program reached 500 women-led MSMEs in rural areas. It engaged 50 SME mentors and provided 8 focused video modules as digital learning tools.
• SheHacks
  In collaboration with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, this initiative empowered 52 women-led startups, 36 MSMEs, and worked with 130 female community partners. Impact data shows:
  • 75% of participants reported significant business outcomes, including market access and revenue growth
  • 50% experienced advancement in digital innovation
• InnovateHer Academy
  Partnering with FWD Insurance Indonesia, the program facilitated 16 pilot projects and investor pitching sessions in 2023 and 2024. It achieved:
  • 44% potential partnership opportunity creation
  • 38% average learning growth after masterclasses
• EmPower Phase II
  A joint initiative with UN Women and UNEP, reaching over 4,000 women smallholder farmers and ultra-micro entrepreneurs in NTB and NTT. The program introduced four climate-smart agriculture models to support financial inclusion and build climate resilience.

Centering Women in Southeast Asia’s Innovation Future

Conversations at MDX Summit 2025 underscored one critical truth. Southeast Asia’s digital economy will not reach its full potential if half its population continues to face barriers to leadership and opportunity.

For KUMPUL, building an inclusive innovation ecosystem is not just about increasing numbers. It is about creating systems that allow more women to grow, regardless of geography, background, or prior experience.

In the face of structural challenges, it is consistent, grounded efforts like these that are slowly shifting the landscape. Women are not passive beneficiaries of change. They are builders of the future we collectively aim to create.

Grow Locally, Expand Globally with KUMPUL

KUMPUL accelerates growth by connecting entrepreneurs with strategic networks, exclusive resources, and expert insights. As Indonesia’s leading entrepreneurship ecosystem enabler, KUMPUL strengthens local communities while facilitating two-way global market access, helping international businesses tap into Indonesia’s dynamic ecosystem and supporting local entrepreneurs in expanding worldwide. Through impactful collaborations with key industry players, KUMPUL empowers entrepreneurs to scale efficiently, compete globally, and drive meaningful impact.

Ready to be part of this journey? Complete this form and join KUMPUL in shaping the future of entrepreneurship!