Mission 10x: Elevating the Women in VC in ASEAN Fintech Landscape

 

Panel Discussion: Women in Venture Capital and FinTech Investments

 

1. Landscape of Women in VC and FinTech

  • Diversity Statistics:
    • Only 15% of VC deals are led by women.
    • Funds with diverse leadership teams show 9.3% higher IRR compared to male-dominated funds.
  • Positive Trends:
    • Increasing number of female founders and investors in recent years.

2. Journey into Venture Capital

  • Sweta’s Path:
    • Transitioned from a tech career and angel investing to launching White Venture Capital.
    • Passion for understanding business models and supporting founders led to her VC journey.
  • Abby’s Path:
    • Started in investment banking before shifting to VC in 2021.
    • Inspired by innovation in financial services and driven by the opportunity to support diverse founders.

3. Comparison of India and Southeast Asia Ecosystems

  • Strengths of Indian Ecosystem:
    • Advanced digital public infrastructure (DPI) drives scalable business models.
    • Capital-efficient startups with $1 spent generating $2–$3 in revenue.
  • Southeast Asia Ecosystem:
    • Emerging models inspired by India’s successes.
    • Ecosystem attracts international founders but requires more emphasis on financial sustainability and operational efficiency.
    • Women in leadership roles often hold operational positions (e.g., COO, CFO) rather than CEO roles.

4. Key Skills for Aspiring Investors

  • Analytical Skills: Ability to deeply analyze and understand business models.
  • Curiosity: Eagerness to learn about diverse trends and markets.
  • Networking: Building genuine connections with founders, peers, and investors.
  • Domain Expertise: Specialization in specific sectors (e.g., financial services, consumer health) to provide value to portfolio companies.

5. Lessons Learned

  • Pivots Are Real: Founders often adapt their business models, and early-stage investors must bet on their potential.
  • Luck Matters: Serendipity often plays a role in successful investments.
  • Comfort with Ambiguity: Early-stage investing requires embracing uncertainty.
  • Power of Focus: Building expertise within a specific sector or thesis adds value to founders and increases investment success.
  • Seek Mentorship: Actively ask for guidance from role models to grow personally and professionally.

Audience Takeaways

  1. Aspiring Investors: Cultivate analytical, networking, and domain expertise skills.
  2. VC Firms: Embrace diversity and inclusion to improve fund performance and innovation.
  3. Ecosystem Stakeholders: Foster programs like the Women in FinTech Subcommittee’s masterclasses to bridge entry barriers for young professionals.

Conclusion

The session emphasized the importance of diversity in venture capital, the evolving opportunities for women in the ecosystem, and the skills required to thrive in VC. With increasing awareness and support systems, the industry is poised for more equitable representation and impactful investments.

 

Watch Full Session

 

 

Speakers:

  • Abby Ho, Investor (Fintech), MVP (M Venture Partners)
  • Sweta Rau, Founder & General Partner, White Venture Capital

 

Moderator:

  • Tawishi Singh, Chair, SFA Women in FinTech Subco & Ecosystem and Investment Lead, FinTech Nation

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