Google Disburses Funds For AI Startups Founded By Women In Asia Pacific

Representatives of AI startup founders in Asia Pacific (photo: Google)

JAKARTA - To encourage the active role of women in the AI revolution, Google for Startups disbursed new funds for women who set up AI startups in the Asia Pacific region.

Google for Startups Women Founders Fund will award cash of US$100,000 (Rp1.51 billion) each to six startups from India, Japan and Korea. Where these countries have a lot of AI businesses established by women.

"Google for Startups Women Founders Fund is the latest offering in our growing portfolio Google for Startups Founds Funds, which since 2020 has provided more than 30 million US dollars (Rp455 billion) to support underrepresented and risky founders in Africa, Europe, Brazil and the US," wrote Annieszka Hryniewicz-Bieniek, Senior Director, Google for Startups on Google blogs.

Hyemin Lee, founder of Korea-based fintech startup Finda, was able to secure initial and pre-Series A funds to grow an AI-powered digital loan platform after participating in various Google programs for Startups, including Google for Startups Residency in 2016.

"While the investment environment has stabilized for startups, female founders still face bias and limited access to capital. We are often treated with tougher standards and seen as underprivileged than male counterparts." Hyemin said.

Hyemin emphasized that female founders still need support to build credibility for their ideas and the community of people who think the same way to fight for each other.

Above free equity capital, Google for Startups Women Founders Fund recipients will also receive special guidance and technical support from Google experts. Founders interested in India, Japan, and Korea can apply for the Women Founder Fund from today until August 15, 2023.