In an uplifting effort to advance women in technology, the Singapore-based startup accelerator, She Loves Tech, has joined forces with QBO Innovation Hub, Ideaspace Ventures Inc., and SM Supermalls to empower ten Filipina-led tech startups. These visionary entrepreneurs recently showcased their innovative business models at the She Loves Tech 2024 Philippine finals, held on August 2 at SM Aura’s Samsung Hall.
This year’s finalists represented a wide array of industries, from agri-tech and health and wellness to communications technology designed for the differently-abled. Out of these remarkable contenders, two startups—Unprude and Farmtri—emerged victorious and will represent the Philippines at the Regional Finals in Singapore later this year.
Unprude, conceived by sex and relationships therapist Rica Cruz with the technological expertise of CTO Nicole Bernabe, was crowned the grand winner. The app encourages users to engage in self-reflection, helping them navigate sexual and life challenges, leading to deeper self-understanding, healthier relationships, and greater compassion for others.
Securing the second spot was Farmtri, a business-to-business digital platform revolutionizing the food value chain. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Farmtri predicts market trends, enabling food businesses and farmers to minimize losses and reduce food waste.
Since its founding in 2015 by Virginia Tan, Rhea See, and Leanne Robers, She Loves Tech has been dedicated to supporting and launching women-led businesses. The accelerator has grown into the world’s largest startup competition focused on technology for women and by women. It offers an acceleration program, resource matching, and global pitch competitions, and has featured over 1,000 startups worldwide. Collectively, these startups have raised over US$70 million from leading venture capital firms and tech giants like Sequoia Capital, Microsoft, and Amazon.
The visibility of female tech founders has soared through She Loves Tech’s initiatives, capturing the attention of media worldwide, with over 1,200 media features, a live audience exceeding one million, and more than 500 million media impressions.
As a committed partner, SM Supermalls aligns with She Loves Tech’s mission, standing as one of the largest supporters of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women-empowering projects. This partnership is a testament to SM’s ongoing dedication to fostering women-led businesses, as demonstrated through initiatives like SM’s Weekend Marketplace and the SM4SMEs Community Bazaar.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls, expressed, “SM is deeply honored to be partnering with She Loves Tech to host the Philippine leg of this competition. We are excited to see what these brilliant, hardworking, and business-minded women have in store for the betterment of our society.”
This event is a significant step forward in showcasing the impact of women-led innovation in the tech industry, underscoring the crucial role that platforms like She Loves Tech play in empowering the next generation of female entrepreneurs.