The Covid-19 pandemic has arguably done more to highlight the value of entrepreneurship and start-up companies than anything before, as start-up organisations are largely more agile and flexible in adapting their business models in response to changing demands and market needs, enabling them to take advantage of emerging opportunities. Surveys have shown a significant uptick in startups collaborating with corporates and governments since the onset of the pandemic.
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However, significantly lagging in Hong Kong are funding resources for women entrepreneurs seeking to get their business off the ground. HSBC’s “She’s The Business” report revealed in 2019 that 68 per cent of female entrepreneurs in Hong Kong were denied investment capital, while also highlighting that Hong Kong women invest more of their own money to start a business than any other place in the world aside from mainland China.

• What can be done for the investment industry at-large to overcome gender bias?
• How can support networks be scaled and amplified to help women entrepreneurs gain knowledge and access to business networks as they navigate these challenges?
• How can investor criteria be made more transparent for female entrepreneurs as they develop investor proposals and pitches?
• Are there any long-term policies and strategies that can help to diversify Hong Kong’s industries in order to boost job opportunities for young women entrepreneurs?
• Are there other funding outlets women can access beyond the traditional investor avenues?
• How can Hong Kong start seeing more women on the venture capital side of the equation?

Confirmed Speakers: 

1. Karena Belin
   Co-founder & CEO, WHub;
   Co-founder & COO/CFO
   AngelHub
2. Peggy Choi
   Founder & CEO
   Lynk
3. Juliette Gimenez
   Co-founder & CEO
   Goxip
4. Peggy Sito (moderator)
   Deputy Business Editor
   South China Morning Post