Diversity and inclusion are critical components of a successful startup. A diverse and inclusive workplace not only benefits employees but also benefits the business itself. Startups with diverse teams are better able to make decisions and come up with innovative solutions. Despite the under-representation of women in technology worldwide, Singapore is emerging as the regional leader for tech in Asia.
The government is investing holistically in tech, startups, and innovation through education programs. The gender imbalance in the tech sector is a longstanding problem and an open secret. Women make up less than a third of the talent pool in global tech giants such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. In Singapore, women make up only 30% of tech-related fields. However, Singapore has many influential women in the tech sector who are trailblazers in the industry. Here are the top 10 female startup founders in Singapore:
Helle Priess is a Danish-born entrepreneur who has lived more than half of her life in Asia. She is the Founder and CEO of Doerscircle.com. It's a company that provides tailored solutions and resources for independent doers. Helle has diverse work experience, having successfully built new business units and entities for large corporate companies before venturing on her own in 2009.
She has also been involved in advising and sitting on the board of a number of companies, from early stage to non-for-profit and goodwill organizations. Helle Priess describes herself as an entrepreneur with a strong passion for making a positive impact. She loves turning ideas into successful businesses that really make a difference.
She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and Chinese Language from the University of Copenhagen and a Master of Business Leadership from KF Andersen Leadership Academy Sàrl in Lausanne, Switzerland. Helle Priess is also the Founder and Chairman of The Danish Management Society (VL), which comprises top executives from Denmark's business community and is committed to fostering and promoting sustainable development initiatives in various sectors.
Rachel Lim is a Singaporean entrepreneur and the co-founder of Love, Bonito, one of the largest omnichannel brands across Southeast Asia. She recognized that she was often misrepresented by the styles and outfits marketed to her. To redefine the story, she opted to establish a brand that truly reflected both herself and her community. Love, Bonito has evolved to offer a range of products designed with Asian women in mind, and it has expanded into 10 markets across Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia, and the US, shipping to 20 locations worldwide.
Lim is recognized as an e-commerce pioneer and the owner of a thriving multimillion-dollar fashion empire. She is also a member of the board of advisors at Moom Health. In 2016, she was the only Singaporean featured on the Forbes Asia ‘30 Under 30' list in the retail and e-commerce category. Lim has also participated as a guest speaker at both local and international events, including a TEDx Talks event held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In these occasions she spoke about what success meant to her.
As female founders navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, prioritising mental health becomes crucial. That's where MindFi comes in—a powerful app offering easy mindfulness exercises designed by top meditation teachers and neuroscientists. With options tailored to your busy schedule, MindFi allows you to recharge at your own pace while providing on-demand therapy and comprehensive self-care resources. By optimising your mental well-being, you can enhance your focus and resilience, empowering you to thrive in your startup journey.
Josephine Chow is a Singaporean entrepreneur who co-founded ShopBack, a popular e-commerce platform that offers cashback and rewards to users. She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Honours) degree from Nanyang Technological University and has been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in the retail and e-commerce category. As the Co-Founder and Head of International Expansion at ShopBack, Josephine Chow has played a significant role in the company's growth and expansion.
ShopBack was founded by Henry and Joel in 2010 when they realized the need for cost-effective marketing options and rewards for users. The platform has since grown to become a leading lifestyle portal, offering a wide range of services and products, including shopping, payments, and rewards. Under Josephine Chow's leadership, ShopBack has expanded its presence to multiple markets across Asia-Pacific, with her taking a total of 77 flights in one year to oversee the company's international expansion.
Gillian Tee is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Homage, a technology-led health and caregiving solution that combines professional caregivers, therapists, and clinicians with smart technology to provide holistic care to families. Born and raised in Singapore, Gillian spent 15 years abroad before returning in 2016 to be closer to her family. She embarked on her entrepreneurial path by co-founding Rocketrip, a technology company situated in New York City and Silicon Valley. The venture received support from notable entities such as Y-Combinator and Google Ventures.
Prior to her entrepreneurial career, Gillian held various leadership positions at Amazon and Accenture. She holds a dual MBA and Masters of Public Administration from Columbia Business School and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Computer Science specializing in Artificial Intelligence. Homage was inspired by Gillian's personal experiences with her mother and the challenges faced by her relatives in finding adequate home care. The platform utilizes its exclusive technology to pair nurses, caregivers, and therapists with seniors in their homes. This guarantees that the caregivers are not only local but also licensed and experienced to ensure a high standard of care.
Homage has served thousands of families, allowing them to book care wherever and whenever they require it. The company has also helped to improve the lives of seniors by making home care accessible to all who need it. Gillian Tee's vision for Homage is to continue investing in the technology platform and deepening its impact on the lives of seniors.
Roshni Mahtani is a popular entrepreneur and journalist in Singapore widely known for founding theAsianparent.com, which stands as Asia's largest parenting website. She is the CEO and Founder of Tickled Media, which runs ParentTown, theAsianparent.com, and IndusParent.com. Roshni Mahtani is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and has worked as a journalist for CNBC Asia and Channel NewsAsia. She has also worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company and as a product manager for Zopim Technologies.
Tickled Media was founded in 2009 and has since grown to become one of the largest digital media companies in Asia. The digital media company focuses on parenting and lifestyle content. The company's mission is to help parents across Asia raise happy, healthy, and confident children by providing them with the information and resources they need.
Under Roshni Mahtani's leadership, Tickled Media has expanded its presence to multiple markets across Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Roshni Mahtani is a well-known figure in the Singaporean startup scene and has been featured in various media outlets, including Startup Snapshot and Startup Grind Singapore.
Val Yap is a prominent Singaporean entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of PolicyPal, an insurance technology start-up. A serial entrepreneur, she gained recognition for establishing PolicyPal. PolicyPal is a fintech startup that was subsequently acquired by a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Val Yap's journey as an entrepreneur began after she left the corporate world to establish PolicyPal in April 2016. The company has achieved significant milestones, with over 100,000 organic downloads and managing over $70 million worth of insurance premiums.
Val Yap's mission is to change how people manage their insurance policies in Asia and beyond, aiming to grow PolicyPal's user base exponentially and stay at the forefront of innovation. She is also involved in various community and industry initiatives. In addition, she dedicates her time to volunteering with organizations such as the Singapore Fintech Association and PAP (People's Action Party). Val Yap's leadership and entrepreneurial acumen have made her a respected figure in the Singaporean startup ecosystem.
Raena Lim is one of the top women startup founders in Singapore. She is the co-founder and COO of Style Theory, Southeast Asia's largest fashion subscription rental platform. Raena Lim and her husband, Chris Halim, started Style Theory in 2016 to solve the problem of having nothing to wear. The platform offers a wide range of designer wear items for rent, reducing fashion waste and teaching people in Asia about sustainable fashion. Under Raena Lim's leadership, Style Theory has grown to become one of the most successful fashion startups in Southeast Asia, with over two million rentals across Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Raena Lim is a strong advocate for female leadership and has spoken out against gender bias in the workplace. She is a respected figure in the Singaporean startup ecosystem and has been featured in various media outlets, including Honeycombers Singapore and Yahoo Life SEA. Raena Lim's entrepreneurial journey and success with Style Theory have made her an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs in Singapore and beyond.
For female startup founders looking to elevate their brand visibility, Alpha Story offers a streamlined, AI-powered PR solution that takes the hassle out of media outreach. Exclusive to Premium Members, this innovative platform enables you to generate attention-grabbing press releases in under an hour. With expert consultant reviews and guaranteed journalist connections, you can effortlessly secure media coverage and focus on what matters most—growing your business.
Annabelle Kwok, Founder of Neural Bay and SmartCow
Annabelle Kwok is a Singaporean entrepreneur who has founded two successful AI companies, NeuralBay and SmartCow. She is an AI practitioner and currently serves as the Director and Head of Data and Analytics (Asia) at Prudential Corporation Asia. In 2016, Annabelle Kwok initiated her entrepreneurial journey by establishing SmartCow. It was a hardware company specializing in the development of industrial-grade deployment devices for artificial intelligence.
In 2017, Annabelle Kwok founded NeuralBay, an AI company specializing in vision analytics. Under her leadership, NeuralBay has grown to become one of the most innovative AI startups in the region. Annabelle Kwok's accomplishments at a young age have made her a respected figure in the Singaporean tech scene and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Rhonda Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Ohmyhome, Singapore's leading PropTech company. Born in 1984, Rhonda Wong, along with her sister Race, founded Ohmyhome in 2016. The platform is Southeast Asia's leading one-stop-shop property transaction and services technology company, aiming to bring ease, speed, and reliability to property transactions and home services. Under Rhonda Wong's leadership, Ohmyhome has received several accolades, including Woman of the Future (Property) 2020, RICS Southeast Asia's Women of the Built Environment Award 2020, and Founder of the Year 2019 Rice Bowl Awards.
Before founding Ohmyhome, Rhonda Wong was the co-founder of Anthill Corporation. This company serves as a leading property agency and management firm catering to high-net-worth individuals with holdings in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. With extensive experience in property sales and finance, she contributes valuable expertise to Ohmyhome. Rhonda Wong holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.
Rhonda Wong and her sister Race have a strong entrepreneurial background. They grew up in an entrepreneurial household and developed a strong work ethic early in life. The sisters had a successful career in the entertainment industry, with Race and Rosanne forming the Cantonese pop group 2R and starring in multiple movies. They have applied their experience in the entertainment industry to their work in the prop tech sector, using their creativity and innovative approach to disrupt the industry.
Lynsey Lim is the founder of Handmade Heroes, a natural skincare brand that started in her kitchen. Born out of her passion for providing alternative solutions for people with sensitive skin, Lynsey Lim has grown Handmade Heroes into a successful business that offers a range of natural skincare products, including lip scrubs and Naoki Matcha The brand has gained significant recognition, with its products becoming bestsellers on Amazon.
Lynsey Lim's entrepreneurial journey began when she realized her calling as an entrepreneur and started the brand in her kitchen. She has since expanded her business to become a thriving venture, showcasing her dedication to clean living and her commitment to creating high-quality, natural skincare products.
Join Doerscircle today and become part of a vibrant community of over 130,000+ Independent Doers, including freelancers, startups, entrepreneurs, founders, and enterprises. As the only one-stop platform designed to empower Independent Doers, Doerscircle offers tailored solutions and tools at exclusive rates. Our mission is to tackle essential challenges faced by Independent Doers and facilitate a new infrastructure that supports your growth. With nearly 50% of the global workforce already self-employed, we empower you to access affordable services, from business solutions to wellbeing, all while connecting with like-minded individuals. Join us and focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
Closing Thoughts on the Top 10 Female Startup Founders in Singapore
Singapore is home to a thriving ecosystem of female startup founders who are making a significant impact across various industries. Above are the top ten female startup founders in Singapore. These women have not only demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial skills but have also inspired others to pursue their dreams and break barriers. As the world continues to evolve, their contributions to the startup landscape will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology and business in Singapore and beyond.
Diversity and inclusion are critical components of a successful startup. A diverse and inclusive workplace not only benefits employees but also benefits the business itself. Startups with diverse teams are better able to make decisions and come up with innovative solutions. Despite the under-representation of women in technology worldwide, Singapore is emerging as the regional leader for tech in Asia.
The government is investing holistically in tech, startups, and innovation through education programs. The gender imbalance in the tech sector is a longstanding problem and an open secret. Women make up less than a third of the talent pool in global tech giants such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. In Singapore, women make up only 30% of tech-related fields. However, Singapore has many influential women in the tech sector who are trailblazers in the industry. Here are the top 10 female startup founders in Singapore:
Helle Priess is a Danish-born entrepreneur who has lived more than half of her life in Asia. She is the Founder and CEO of Doerscircle.com. It's a company that provides tailored solutions and resources for independent doers. Helle has diverse work experience, having successfully built new business units and entities for large corporate companies before venturing on her own in 2009.
She has also been involved in advising and sitting on the board of a number of companies, from early stage to non-for-profit and goodwill organizations. Helle Priess describes herself as an entrepreneur with a strong passion for making a positive impact. She loves turning ideas into successful businesses that really make a difference.
She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and Chinese Language from the University of Copenhagen and a Master of Business Leadership from KF Andersen Leadership Academy Sàrl in Lausanne, Switzerland. Helle Priess is also the Founder and Chairman of The Danish Management Society (VL), which comprises top executives from Denmark's business community and is committed to fostering and promoting sustainable development initiatives in various sectors.
Rachel Lim is a Singaporean entrepreneur and the co-founder of Love, Bonito, one of the largest omnichannel brands across Southeast Asia. She recognized that she was often misrepresented by the styles and outfits marketed to her. To redefine the story, she opted to establish a brand that truly reflected both herself and her community. Love, Bonito has evolved to offer a range of products designed with Asian women in mind, and it has expanded into 10 markets across Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia, and the US, shipping to 20 locations worldwide.
Lim is recognized as an e-commerce pioneer and the owner of a thriving multimillion-dollar fashion empire. She is also a member of the board of advisors at Moom Health. In 2016, she was the only Singaporean featured on the Forbes Asia ‘30 Under 30' list in the retail and e-commerce category. Lim has also participated as a guest speaker at both local and international events, including a TEDx Talks event held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In these occasions she spoke about what success meant to her.
As female founders navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, prioritising mental health becomes crucial. That's where MindFi comes in—a powerful app offering easy mindfulness exercises designed by top meditation teachers and neuroscientists. With options tailored to your busy schedule, MindFi allows you to recharge at your own pace while providing on-demand therapy and comprehensive self-care resources. By optimising your mental well-being, you can enhance your focus and resilience, empowering you to thrive in your startup journey.
Josephine Chow is a Singaporean entrepreneur who co-founded ShopBack, a popular e-commerce platform that offers cashback and rewards to users. She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Honours) degree from Nanyang Technological University and has been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in the retail and e-commerce category. As the Co-Founder and Head of International Expansion at ShopBack, Josephine Chow has played a significant role in the company's growth and expansion.
ShopBack was founded by Henry and Joel in 2010 when they realized the need for cost-effective marketing options and rewards for users. The platform has since grown to become a leading lifestyle portal, offering a wide range of services and products, including shopping, payments, and rewards. Under Josephine Chow's leadership, ShopBack has expanded its presence to multiple markets across Asia-Pacific, with her taking a total of 77 flights in one year to oversee the company's international expansion.
Gillian Tee is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Homage, a technology-led health and caregiving solution that combines professional caregivers, therapists, and clinicians with smart technology to provide holistic care to families. Born and raised in Singapore, Gillian spent 15 years abroad before returning in 2016 to be closer to her family. She embarked on her entrepreneurial path by co-founding Rocketrip, a technology company situated in New York City and Silicon Valley. The venture received support from notable entities such as Y-Combinator and Google Ventures.
Prior to her entrepreneurial career, Gillian held various leadership positions at Amazon and Accenture. She holds a dual MBA and Masters of Public Administration from Columbia Business School and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Computer Science specializing in Artificial Intelligence. Homage was inspired by Gillian's personal experiences with her mother and the challenges faced by her relatives in finding adequate home care. The platform utilizes its exclusive technology to pair nurses, caregivers, and therapists with seniors in their homes. This guarantees that the caregivers are not only local but also licensed and experienced to ensure a high standard of care.
Homage has served thousands of families, allowing them to book care wherever and whenever they require it. The company has also helped to improve the lives of seniors by making home care accessible to all who need it. Gillian Tee's vision for Homage is to continue investing in the technology platform and deepening its impact on the lives of seniors.
Roshni Mahtani is a popular entrepreneur and journalist in Singapore widely known for founding theAsianparent.com, which stands as Asia's largest parenting website. She is the CEO and Founder of Tickled Media, which runs ParentTown, theAsianparent.com, and IndusParent.com. Roshni Mahtani is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and has worked as a journalist for CNBC Asia and Channel NewsAsia. She has also worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company and as a product manager for Zopim Technologies.
Tickled Media was founded in 2009 and has since grown to become one of the largest digital media companies in Asia. The digital media company focuses on parenting and lifestyle content. The company's mission is to help parents across Asia raise happy, healthy, and confident children by providing them with the information and resources they need.
Under Roshni Mahtani's leadership, Tickled Media has expanded its presence to multiple markets across Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Roshni Mahtani is a well-known figure in the Singaporean startup scene and has been featured in various media outlets, including Startup Snapshot and Startup Grind Singapore.
Val Yap is a prominent Singaporean entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of PolicyPal, an insurance technology start-up. A serial entrepreneur, she gained recognition for establishing PolicyPal. PolicyPal is a fintech startup that was subsequently acquired by a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Val Yap's journey as an entrepreneur began after she left the corporate world to establish PolicyPal in April 2016. The company has achieved significant milestones, with over 100,000 organic downloads and managing over $70 million worth of insurance premiums.
Val Yap's mission is to change how people manage their insurance policies in Asia and beyond, aiming to grow PolicyPal's user base exponentially and stay at the forefront of innovation. She is also involved in various community and industry initiatives. In addition, she dedicates her time to volunteering with organizations such as the Singapore Fintech Association and PAP (People's Action Party). Val Yap's leadership and entrepreneurial acumen have made her a respected figure in the Singaporean startup ecosystem.
Raena Lim is one of the top women startup founders in Singapore. She is the co-founder and COO of Style Theory, Southeast Asia's largest fashion subscription rental platform. Raena Lim and her husband, Chris Halim, started Style Theory in 2016 to solve the problem of having nothing to wear. The platform offers a wide range of designer wear items for rent, reducing fashion waste and teaching people in Asia about sustainable fashion. Under Raena Lim's leadership, Style Theory has grown to become one of the most successful fashion startups in Southeast Asia, with over two million rentals across Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Raena Lim is a strong advocate for female leadership and has spoken out against gender bias in the workplace. She is a respected figure in the Singaporean startup ecosystem and has been featured in various media outlets, including Honeycombers Singapore and Yahoo Life SEA. Raena Lim's entrepreneurial journey and success with Style Theory have made her an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs in Singapore and beyond.
For female startup founders looking to elevate their brand visibility, Alpha Story offers a streamlined, AI-powered PR solution that takes the hassle out of media outreach. Exclusive to Premium Members, this innovative platform enables you to generate attention-grabbing press releases in under an hour. With expert consultant reviews and guaranteed journalist connections, you can effortlessly secure media coverage and focus on what matters most—growing your business.
Annabelle Kwok, Founder of Neural Bay and SmartCow
Annabelle Kwok is a Singaporean entrepreneur who has founded two successful AI companies, NeuralBay and SmartCow. She is an AI practitioner and currently serves as the Director and Head of Data and Analytics (Asia) at Prudential Corporation Asia. In 2016, Annabelle Kwok initiated her entrepreneurial journey by establishing SmartCow. It was a hardware company specializing in the development of industrial-grade deployment devices for artificial intelligence.
In 2017, Annabelle Kwok founded NeuralBay, an AI company specializing in vision analytics. Under her leadership, NeuralBay has grown to become one of the most innovative AI startups in the region. Annabelle Kwok's accomplishments at a young age have made her a respected figure in the Singaporean tech scene and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Rhonda Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Ohmyhome, Singapore's leading PropTech company. Born in 1984, Rhonda Wong, along with her sister Race, founded Ohmyhome in 2016. The platform is Southeast Asia's leading one-stop-shop property transaction and services technology company, aiming to bring ease, speed, and reliability to property transactions and home services. Under Rhonda Wong's leadership, Ohmyhome has received several accolades, including Woman of the Future (Property) 2020, RICS Southeast Asia's Women of the Built Environment Award 2020, and Founder of the Year 2019 Rice Bowl Awards.
Before founding Ohmyhome, Rhonda Wong was the co-founder of Anthill Corporation. This company serves as a leading property agency and management firm catering to high-net-worth individuals with holdings in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. With extensive experience in property sales and finance, she contributes valuable expertise to Ohmyhome. Rhonda Wong holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.
Rhonda Wong and her sister Race have a strong entrepreneurial background. They grew up in an entrepreneurial household and developed a strong work ethic early in life. The sisters had a successful career in the entertainment industry, with Race and Rosanne forming the Cantonese pop group 2R and starring in multiple movies. They have applied their experience in the entertainment industry to their work in the prop tech sector, using their creativity and innovative approach to disrupt the industry.
Lynsey Lim is the founder of Handmade Heroes, a natural skincare brand that started in her kitchen. Born out of her passion for providing alternative solutions for people with sensitive skin, Lynsey Lim has grown Handmade Heroes into a successful business that offers a range of natural skincare products, including lip scrubs and Naoki Matcha The brand has gained significant recognition, with its products becoming bestsellers on Amazon.
Lynsey Lim's entrepreneurial journey began when she realized her calling as an entrepreneur and started the brand in her kitchen. She has since expanded her business to become a thriving venture, showcasing her dedication to clean living and her commitment to creating high-quality, natural skincare products.
Join Doerscircle today and become part of a vibrant community of over 130,000+ Independent Doers, including freelancers, startups, entrepreneurs, founders, and enterprises. As the only one-stop platform designed to empower Independent Doers, Doerscircle offers tailored solutions and tools at exclusive rates. Our mission is to tackle essential challenges faced by Independent Doers and facilitate a new infrastructure that supports your growth. With nearly 50% of the global workforce already self-employed, we empower you to access affordable services, from business solutions to wellbeing, all while connecting with like-minded individuals. Join us and focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
Closing Thoughts on the Top 10 Female Startup Founders in Singapore
Singapore is home to a thriving ecosystem of female startup founders who are making a significant impact across various industries. Above are the top ten female startup founders in Singapore. These women have not only demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial skills but have also inspired others to pursue their dreams and break barriers. As the world continues to evolve, their contributions to the startup landscape will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology and business in Singapore and beyond.
Diversity and inclusion are critical components of a successful startup. A diverse and inclusive workplace not only benefits employees but also benefits the business itself. Startups with diverse teams are better able to make decisions and come up with innovative solutions. Despite the under-representation of women in technology worldwide, Singapore is emerging as the regional leader for tech in Asia.
The government is investing holistically in tech, startups, and innovation through education programs. The gender imbalance in the tech sector is a longstanding problem and an open secret. Women make up less than a third of the talent pool in global tech giants such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. In Singapore, women make up only 30% of tech-related fields. However, Singapore has many influential women in the tech sector who are trailblazers in the industry. Here are the top 10 female startup founders in Singapore:
Helle Priess is a Danish-born entrepreneur who has lived more than half of her life in Asia. She is the Founder and CEO of Doerscircle.com. It's a company that provides tailored solutions and resources for independent doers. Helle has diverse work experience, having successfully built new business units and entities for large corporate companies before venturing on her own in 2009.
She has also been involved in advising and sitting on the board of a number of companies, from early stage to non-for-profit and goodwill organizations. Helle Priess describes herself as an entrepreneur with a strong passion for making a positive impact. She loves turning ideas into successful businesses that really make a difference.
She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and Chinese Language from the University of Copenhagen and a Master of Business Leadership from KF Andersen Leadership Academy Sàrl in Lausanne, Switzerland. Helle Priess is also the Founder and Chairman of The Danish Management Society (VL), which comprises top executives from Denmark's business community and is committed to fostering and promoting sustainable development initiatives in various sectors.
Rachel Lim is a Singaporean entrepreneur and the co-founder of Love, Bonito, one of the largest omnichannel brands across Southeast Asia. She recognized that she was often misrepresented by the styles and outfits marketed to her. To redefine the story, she opted to establish a brand that truly reflected both herself and her community. Love, Bonito has evolved to offer a range of products designed with Asian women in mind, and it has expanded into 10 markets across Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia, and the US, shipping to 20 locations worldwide.
Lim is recognized as an e-commerce pioneer and the owner of a thriving multimillion-dollar fashion empire. She is also a member of the board of advisors at Moom Health. In 2016, she was the only Singaporean featured on the Forbes Asia ‘30 Under 30' list in the retail and e-commerce category. Lim has also participated as a guest speaker at both local and international events, including a TEDx Talks event held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In these occasions she spoke about what success meant to her.
As female founders navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, prioritising mental health becomes crucial. That's where MindFi comes in—a powerful app offering easy mindfulness exercises designed by top meditation teachers and neuroscientists. With options tailored to your busy schedule, MindFi allows you to recharge at your own pace while providing on-demand therapy and comprehensive self-care resources. By optimising your mental well-being, you can enhance your focus and resilience, empowering you to thrive in your startup journey.
Josephine Chow is a Singaporean entrepreneur who co-founded ShopBack, a popular e-commerce platform that offers cashback and rewards to users. She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Honours) degree from Nanyang Technological University and has been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in the retail and e-commerce category. As the Co-Founder and Head of International Expansion at ShopBack, Josephine Chow has played a significant role in the company's growth and expansion.
ShopBack was founded by Henry and Joel in 2010 when they realized the need for cost-effective marketing options and rewards for users. The platform has since grown to become a leading lifestyle portal, offering a wide range of services and products, including shopping, payments, and rewards. Under Josephine Chow's leadership, ShopBack has expanded its presence to multiple markets across Asia-Pacific, with her taking a total of 77 flights in one year to oversee the company's international expansion.
Gillian Tee is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Homage, a technology-led health and caregiving solution that combines professional caregivers, therapists, and clinicians with smart technology to provide holistic care to families. Born and raised in Singapore, Gillian spent 15 years abroad before returning in 2016 to be closer to her family. She embarked on her entrepreneurial path by co-founding Rocketrip, a technology company situated in New York City and Silicon Valley. The venture received support from notable entities such as Y-Combinator and Google Ventures.
Prior to her entrepreneurial career, Gillian held various leadership positions at Amazon and Accenture. She holds a dual MBA and Masters of Public Administration from Columbia Business School and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Computer Science specializing in Artificial Intelligence. Homage was inspired by Gillian's personal experiences with her mother and the challenges faced by her relatives in finding adequate home care. The platform utilizes its exclusive technology to pair nurses, caregivers, and therapists with seniors in their homes. This guarantees that the caregivers are not only local but also licensed and experienced to ensure a high standard of care.
Homage has served thousands of families, allowing them to book care wherever and whenever they require it. The company has also helped to improve the lives of seniors by making home care accessible to all who need it. Gillian Tee's vision for Homage is to continue investing in the technology platform and deepening its impact on the lives of seniors.
Roshni Mahtani is a popular entrepreneur and journalist in Singapore widely known for founding theAsianparent.com, which stands as Asia's largest parenting website. She is the CEO and Founder of Tickled Media, which runs ParentTown, theAsianparent.com, and IndusParent.com. Roshni Mahtani is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and has worked as a journalist for CNBC Asia and Channel NewsAsia. She has also worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company and as a product manager for Zopim Technologies.
Tickled Media was founded in 2009 and has since grown to become one of the largest digital media companies in Asia. The digital media company focuses on parenting and lifestyle content. The company's mission is to help parents across Asia raise happy, healthy, and confident children by providing them with the information and resources they need.
Under Roshni Mahtani's leadership, Tickled Media has expanded its presence to multiple markets across Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Roshni Mahtani is a well-known figure in the Singaporean startup scene and has been featured in various media outlets, including Startup Snapshot and Startup Grind Singapore.
Val Yap is a prominent Singaporean entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of PolicyPal, an insurance technology start-up. A serial entrepreneur, she gained recognition for establishing PolicyPal. PolicyPal is a fintech startup that was subsequently acquired by a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Val Yap's journey as an entrepreneur began after she left the corporate world to establish PolicyPal in April 2016. The company has achieved significant milestones, with over 100,000 organic downloads and managing over $70 million worth of insurance premiums.
Val Yap's mission is to change how people manage their insurance policies in Asia and beyond, aiming to grow PolicyPal's user base exponentially and stay at the forefront of innovation. She is also involved in various community and industry initiatives. In addition, she dedicates her time to volunteering with organizations such as the Singapore Fintech Association and PAP (People's Action Party). Val Yap's leadership and entrepreneurial acumen have made her a respected figure in the Singaporean startup ecosystem.
Raena Lim is one of the top women startup founders in Singapore. She is the co-founder and COO of Style Theory, Southeast Asia's largest fashion subscription rental platform. Raena Lim and her husband, Chris Halim, started Style Theory in 2016 to solve the problem of having nothing to wear. The platform offers a wide range of designer wear items for rent, reducing fashion waste and teaching people in Asia about sustainable fashion. Under Raena Lim's leadership, Style Theory has grown to become one of the most successful fashion startups in Southeast Asia, with over two million rentals across Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Raena Lim is a strong advocate for female leadership and has spoken out against gender bias in the workplace. She is a respected figure in the Singaporean startup ecosystem and has been featured in various media outlets, including Honeycombers Singapore and Yahoo Life SEA. Raena Lim's entrepreneurial journey and success with Style Theory have made her an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs in Singapore and beyond.
For female startup founders looking to elevate their brand visibility, Alpha Story offers a streamlined, AI-powered PR solution that takes the hassle out of media outreach. Exclusive to Premium Members, this innovative platform enables you to generate attention-grabbing press releases in under an hour. With expert consultant reviews and guaranteed journalist connections, you can effortlessly secure media coverage and focus on what matters most—growing your business.
Annabelle Kwok, Founder of Neural Bay and SmartCow
Annabelle Kwok is a Singaporean entrepreneur who has founded two successful AI companies, NeuralBay and SmartCow. She is an AI practitioner and currently serves as the Director and Head of Data and Analytics (Asia) at Prudential Corporation Asia. In 2016, Annabelle Kwok initiated her entrepreneurial journey by establishing SmartCow. It was a hardware company specializing in the development of industrial-grade deployment devices for artificial intelligence.
In 2017, Annabelle Kwok founded NeuralBay, an AI company specializing in vision analytics. Under her leadership, NeuralBay has grown to become one of the most innovative AI startups in the region. Annabelle Kwok's accomplishments at a young age have made her a respected figure in the Singaporean tech scene and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Rhonda Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Ohmyhome, Singapore's leading PropTech company. Born in 1984, Rhonda Wong, along with her sister Race, founded Ohmyhome in 2016. The platform is Southeast Asia's leading one-stop-shop property transaction and services technology company, aiming to bring ease, speed, and reliability to property transactions and home services. Under Rhonda Wong's leadership, Ohmyhome has received several accolades, including Woman of the Future (Property) 2020, RICS Southeast Asia's Women of the Built Environment Award 2020, and Founder of the Year 2019 Rice Bowl Awards.
Before founding Ohmyhome, Rhonda Wong was the co-founder of Anthill Corporation. This company serves as a leading property agency and management firm catering to high-net-worth individuals with holdings in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. With extensive experience in property sales and finance, she contributes valuable expertise to Ohmyhome. Rhonda Wong holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.
Rhonda Wong and her sister Race have a strong entrepreneurial background. They grew up in an entrepreneurial household and developed a strong work ethic early in life. The sisters had a successful career in the entertainment industry, with Race and Rosanne forming the Cantonese pop group 2R and starring in multiple movies. They have applied their experience in the entertainment industry to their work in the prop tech sector, using their creativity and innovative approach to disrupt the industry.
Lynsey Lim is the founder of Handmade Heroes, a natural skincare brand that started in her kitchen. Born out of her passion for providing alternative solutions for people with sensitive skin, Lynsey Lim has grown Handmade Heroes into a successful business that offers a range of natural skincare products, including lip scrubs and Naoki Matcha The brand has gained significant recognition, with its products becoming bestsellers on Amazon.
Lynsey Lim's entrepreneurial journey began when she realized her calling as an entrepreneur and started the brand in her kitchen. She has since expanded her business to become a thriving venture, showcasing her dedication to clean living and her commitment to creating high-quality, natural skincare products.
Join Doerscircle today and become part of a vibrant community of over 130,000+ Independent Doers, including freelancers, startups, entrepreneurs, founders, and enterprises. As the only one-stop platform designed to empower Independent Doers, Doerscircle offers tailored solutions and tools at exclusive rates. Our mission is to tackle essential challenges faced by Independent Doers and facilitate a new infrastructure that supports your growth. With nearly 50% of the global workforce already self-employed, we empower you to access affordable services, from business solutions to wellbeing, all while connecting with like-minded individuals. Join us and focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
Closing Thoughts on the Top 10 Female Startup Founders in Singapore
Singapore is home to a thriving ecosystem of female startup founders who are making a significant impact across various industries. Above are the top ten female startup founders in Singapore. These women have not only demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial skills but have also inspired others to pursue their dreams and break barriers. As the world continues to evolve, their contributions to the startup landscape will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology and business in Singapore and beyond.
Diversity and inclusion are critical components of a successful startup. A diverse and inclusive workplace not only benefits employees but also benefits the business itself. Startups with diverse teams are better able to make decisions and come up with innovative solutions. Despite the under-representation of women in technology worldwide, Singapore is emerging as the regional leader for tech in Asia.
The government is investing holistically in tech, startups, and innovation through education programs. The gender imbalance in the tech sector is a longstanding problem and an open secret. Women make up less than a third of the talent pool in global tech giants such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. In Singapore, women make up only 30% of tech-related fields. However, Singapore has many influential women in the tech sector who are trailblazers in the industry. Here are the top 10 female startup founders in Singapore:
Helle Priess is a Danish-born entrepreneur who has lived more than half of her life in Asia. She is the Founder and CEO of Doerscircle.com. It's a company that provides tailored solutions and resources for independent doers. Helle has diverse work experience, having successfully built new business units and entities for large corporate companies before venturing on her own in 2009.
She has also been involved in advising and sitting on the board of a number of companies, from early stage to non-for-profit and goodwill organizations. Helle Priess describes herself as an entrepreneur with a strong passion for making a positive impact. She loves turning ideas into successful businesses that really make a difference.
She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and Chinese Language from the University of Copenhagen and a Master of Business Leadership from KF Andersen Leadership Academy Sàrl in Lausanne, Switzerland. Helle Priess is also the Founder and Chairman of The Danish Management Society (VL), which comprises top executives from Denmark's business community and is committed to fostering and promoting sustainable development initiatives in various sectors.
Rachel Lim is a Singaporean entrepreneur and the co-founder of Love, Bonito, one of the largest omnichannel brands across Southeast Asia. She recognized that she was often misrepresented by the styles and outfits marketed to her. To redefine the story, she opted to establish a brand that truly reflected both herself and her community. Love, Bonito has evolved to offer a range of products designed with Asian women in mind, and it has expanded into 10 markets across Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia, and the US, shipping to 20 locations worldwide.
Lim is recognized as an e-commerce pioneer and the owner of a thriving multimillion-dollar fashion empire. She is also a member of the board of advisors at Moom Health. In 2016, she was the only Singaporean featured on the Forbes Asia ‘30 Under 30' list in the retail and e-commerce category. Lim has also participated as a guest speaker at both local and international events, including a TEDx Talks event held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In these occasions she spoke about what success meant to her.
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Josephine Chow is a Singaporean entrepreneur who co-founded ShopBack, a popular e-commerce platform that offers cashback and rewards to users. She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Honours) degree from Nanyang Technological University and has been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in the retail and e-commerce category. As the Co-Founder and Head of International Expansion at ShopBack, Josephine Chow has played a significant role in the company's growth and expansion.
ShopBack was founded by Henry and Joel in 2010 when they realized the need for cost-effective marketing options and rewards for users. The platform has since grown to become a leading lifestyle portal, offering a wide range of services and products, including shopping, payments, and rewards. Under Josephine Chow's leadership, ShopBack has expanded its presence to multiple markets across Asia-Pacific, with her taking a total of 77 flights in one year to oversee the company's international expansion.
Gillian Tee is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Homage, a technology-led health and caregiving solution that combines professional caregivers, therapists, and clinicians with smart technology to provide holistic care to families. Born and raised in Singapore, Gillian spent 15 years abroad before returning in 2016 to be closer to her family. She embarked on her entrepreneurial path by co-founding Rocketrip, a technology company situated in New York City and Silicon Valley. The venture received support from notable entities such as Y-Combinator and Google Ventures.
Prior to her entrepreneurial career, Gillian held various leadership positions at Amazon and Accenture. She holds a dual MBA and Masters of Public Administration from Columbia Business School and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Computer Science specializing in Artificial Intelligence. Homage was inspired by Gillian's personal experiences with her mother and the challenges faced by her relatives in finding adequate home care. The platform utilizes its exclusive technology to pair nurses, caregivers, and therapists with seniors in their homes. This guarantees that the caregivers are not only local but also licensed and experienced to ensure a high standard of care.
Homage has served thousands of families, allowing them to book care wherever and whenever they require it. The company has also helped to improve the lives of seniors by making home care accessible to all who need it. Gillian Tee's vision for Homage is to continue investing in the technology platform and deepening its impact on the lives of seniors.
Roshni Mahtani is a popular entrepreneur and journalist in Singapore widely known for founding theAsianparent.com, which stands as Asia's largest parenting website. She is the CEO and Founder of Tickled Media, which runs ParentTown, theAsianparent.com, and IndusParent.com. Roshni Mahtani is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and has worked as a journalist for CNBC Asia and Channel NewsAsia. She has also worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company and as a product manager for Zopim Technologies.
Tickled Media was founded in 2009 and has since grown to become one of the largest digital media companies in Asia. The digital media company focuses on parenting and lifestyle content. The company's mission is to help parents across Asia raise happy, healthy, and confident children by providing them with the information and resources they need.
Under Roshni Mahtani's leadership, Tickled Media has expanded its presence to multiple markets across Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Roshni Mahtani is a well-known figure in the Singaporean startup scene and has been featured in various media outlets, including Startup Snapshot and Startup Grind Singapore.
Val Yap is a prominent Singaporean entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of PolicyPal, an insurance technology start-up. A serial entrepreneur, she gained recognition for establishing PolicyPal. PolicyPal is a fintech startup that was subsequently acquired by a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Val Yap's journey as an entrepreneur began after she left the corporate world to establish PolicyPal in April 2016. The company has achieved significant milestones, with over 100,000 organic downloads and managing over $70 million worth of insurance premiums.
Val Yap's mission is to change how people manage their insurance policies in Asia and beyond, aiming to grow PolicyPal's user base exponentially and stay at the forefront of innovation. She is also involved in various community and industry initiatives. In addition, she dedicates her time to volunteering with organizations such as the Singapore Fintech Association and PAP (People's Action Party). Val Yap's leadership and entrepreneurial acumen have made her a respected figure in the Singaporean startup ecosystem.
Raena Lim is one of the top women startup founders in Singapore. She is the co-founder and COO of Style Theory, Southeast Asia's largest fashion subscription rental platform. Raena Lim and her husband, Chris Halim, started Style Theory in 2016 to solve the problem of having nothing to wear. The platform offers a wide range of designer wear items for rent, reducing fashion waste and teaching people in Asia about sustainable fashion. Under Raena Lim's leadership, Style Theory has grown to become one of the most successful fashion startups in Southeast Asia, with over two million rentals across Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Raena Lim is a strong advocate for female leadership and has spoken out against gender bias in the workplace. She is a respected figure in the Singaporean startup ecosystem and has been featured in various media outlets, including Honeycombers Singapore and Yahoo Life SEA. Raena Lim's entrepreneurial journey and success with Style Theory have made her an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs in Singapore and beyond.
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Annabelle Kwok, Founder of Neural Bay and SmartCow
Annabelle Kwok is a Singaporean entrepreneur who has founded two successful AI companies, NeuralBay and SmartCow. She is an AI practitioner and currently serves as the Director and Head of Data and Analytics (Asia) at Prudential Corporation Asia. In 2016, Annabelle Kwok initiated her entrepreneurial journey by establishing SmartCow. It was a hardware company specializing in the development of industrial-grade deployment devices for artificial intelligence.
In 2017, Annabelle Kwok founded NeuralBay, an AI company specializing in vision analytics. Under her leadership, NeuralBay has grown to become one of the most innovative AI startups in the region. Annabelle Kwok's accomplishments at a young age have made her a respected figure in the Singaporean tech scene and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Rhonda Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Ohmyhome, Singapore's leading PropTech company. Born in 1984, Rhonda Wong, along with her sister Race, founded Ohmyhome in 2016. The platform is Southeast Asia's leading one-stop-shop property transaction and services technology company, aiming to bring ease, speed, and reliability to property transactions and home services. Under Rhonda Wong's leadership, Ohmyhome has received several accolades, including Woman of the Future (Property) 2020, RICS Southeast Asia's Women of the Built Environment Award 2020, and Founder of the Year 2019 Rice Bowl Awards.
Before founding Ohmyhome, Rhonda Wong was the co-founder of Anthill Corporation. This company serves as a leading property agency and management firm catering to high-net-worth individuals with holdings in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. With extensive experience in property sales and finance, she contributes valuable expertise to Ohmyhome. Rhonda Wong holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.
Rhonda Wong and her sister Race have a strong entrepreneurial background. They grew up in an entrepreneurial household and developed a strong work ethic early in life. The sisters had a successful career in the entertainment industry, with Race and Rosanne forming the Cantonese pop group 2R and starring in multiple movies. They have applied their experience in the entertainment industry to their work in the prop tech sector, using their creativity and innovative approach to disrupt the industry.
Lynsey Lim is the founder of Handmade Heroes, a natural skincare brand that started in her kitchen. Born out of her passion for providing alternative solutions for people with sensitive skin, Lynsey Lim has grown Handmade Heroes into a successful business that offers a range of natural skincare products, including lip scrubs and Naoki Matcha The brand has gained significant recognition, with its products becoming bestsellers on Amazon.
Lynsey Lim's entrepreneurial journey began when she realized her calling as an entrepreneur and started the brand in her kitchen. She has since expanded her business to become a thriving venture, showcasing her dedication to clean living and her commitment to creating high-quality, natural skincare products.
Join Doerscircle today and become part of a vibrant community of over 130,000+ Independent Doers, including freelancers, startups, entrepreneurs, founders, and enterprises. As the only one-stop platform designed to empower Independent Doers, Doerscircle offers tailored solutions and tools at exclusive rates. Our mission is to tackle essential challenges faced by Independent Doers and facilitate a new infrastructure that supports your growth. With nearly 50% of the global workforce already self-employed, we empower you to access affordable services, from business solutions to wellbeing, all while connecting with like-minded individuals. Join us and focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
Closing Thoughts on the Top 10 Female Startup Founders in Singapore
Singapore is home to a thriving ecosystem of female startup founders who are making a significant impact across various industries. Above are the top ten female startup founders in Singapore. These women have not only demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial skills but have also inspired others to pursue their dreams and break barriers. As the world continues to evolve, their contributions to the startup landscape will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology and business in Singapore and beyond.
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