JAKARTA, January 2, 2025 – A new whitepaper titled “Closing the Funding Gap for Women Entrepreneurs in Indonesia” was unveiled at a landmark event hosted at AC Ventures’ headquarters in Jakarta. The report, a collaboration between Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Stellar Women, shines a spotlight on the funding challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Indonesia and proposes actionable solutions.
The report highlights a striking US$1.7 trillion funding gap for women-led businesses in the country, driven by systemic barriers such as limited access to capital, societal biases, and inadequate mentorship. Despite these hurdles, women-led enterprises have demonstrated the potential to deliver superior returns and drive economic progress.
Speaking at the event, Samira Shihab, Principal at AC Ventures and Founder of Stellar Women, underscored the urgency of gender-inclusive investment. “Empowering women is not just a mission—it’s imperative for a brighter, more equitable future. Our commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs aligns with our investment approach and our vision for Indonesia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” she said.
Women Entrepreneurs and Economic Impact
The report, the second edition of a collaboration between BCG and Stellar Women, builds on foundational insights from the inaugural study. This edition delves into structural barriers while emphasising the transformative impact of women-led businesses. Global data cited in the report suggests that empowering women entrepreneurs could boost global GDP by 26% and add up to US$160 trillion in human capital wealth.
“Women-led businesses consistently outperform, yet they face systemic obstacles in accessing funding,” said Lenita Tobing, Managing Director and Partner at BCG. “Through this whitepaper, we’ve identified key challenges and solutions to bridge the gap, building a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs.”
The findings revealed five critical challenges hindering women entrepreneurs:
1. Limited networking opportunities.
2. Difficulties in crafting investor-focused pitch decks.
3. A lack of tailored information on financing options.
4. Persistent gender biases.
5. Mismatches between women-led business models and investor expectations.
To address these challenges, the report proposes three pillars of progress: mentorship and knowledge platforms tailored to women entrepreneurs, self-development efforts by women leaders, and increased access to funding aligned with their business models.
Following the whitepaper’s launch, a panel discussion brought together prominent voices, including Sreejita Deb, CEO of Raena Beauty; Marcella Moniaga, CFO of Astro; and Debora Gondokusumo, CEO of Herbiology. Discussions explored pathways to bridging the gender funding gap and fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
The event served as a rallying call for stakeholders — governments, investors, and businesses — to collaborate on creating an ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can thrive. The report offers a roadmap for stakeholders, aiming to unlock the untapped potential of women-led businesses and drive long-term economic growth.
