Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) recently launched the SheHacks Validation Trip in Sydney, Australia, as part of the broader SheHacks 2024 initiative. This unique program provides a platform for five female founders from Indonesia to engage with global investors, industry leaders, and government officials, aiming to help them explore opportunities for investment, mentorship, and international collaboration.

The program, supported by the Australia Indonesia Institute (AII), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and KUMPUL.ID, focuses on offering a series of strategic activities to help these women-led startups grow. It includes exploring potential funding opportunities, forging global partnerships, and gaining valuable insights from the business community.

Steve Saerang, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, emphasized the company's commitment to empowering women leaders in technopreneurship. He said, “SheHacks is our way of providing opportunities for women to lead and create transformative changes. This journey to Australia reflects our dedication to empowering Indonesian women in the tech and startup industries, strengthening domestic ecosystems, and promoting cross-border collaborations.”

The selected startups include Mebiso, a platform for intellectual property; Waterhub, a water management system; KasirPintar, a cloud-based cashier app; Dietela, a health and nutrition platform for women; and Pin’J, a funding solution for informal workers. These founders had the opportunity to present their innovative ideas to Australian venture capitalists, drawing attention to the lack of support for women-led startups.

Mega Prawita, Managing Director of KUMPUL, shared her excitement about these Indonesian startups, noting that they are among the most promising and rapidly growing in the country. She said, “These startups have great potential not just in Australia but in other international markets. We are thrilled to be part of their journey and look forward to their success.”

This program also highlights the importance of mentorship in driving the success of startups, especially for young entrepreneurs. These women entrepreneurs must navigate the challenges of a fast-evolving innovation landscape while also managing critical aspects of their businesses, such as funding, recruitment, intellectual property, and marketing.

Keren Natalia, Founder and Director of SmartQMS, a Sydney-based laboratory company, expressed her pride in supporting these Indonesian entrepreneurs. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the best female entrepreneurs from Indonesia to learn from Australia’s startup ecosystem. We also look forward to sharing our insights on technopreneurship in Indonesia, one of the largest economies in the world,” Natalia said.

The SheHacks program provides these female leaders with essential professional mentorship, business consultations, and partnership opportunities that can accelerate their growth. This initiative plays a crucial role in promoting the potential of women-led startups and encourages both Indonesian and Australian investors to recognize the talent and innovation that women entrepreneurs bring to the table.

Through initiatives like SheHacks, Indosat is fostering stronger bilateral ties between Indonesia and Australia while supporting the global expansion of female-led businesses in the tech and startup sectors.