FWD Insurance Indonesia has launched InnovateHer Academy 2.0, a program designed to empower female startup founders in Indonesia’s technology and innovation sectors. This initiative is part of FWD Insurance’s ongoing commitment to fostering women’s leadership in entrepreneurship, marking a significant step in its 11th anniversary celebrations.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural program, InnovateHer Academy 2.0 aims to provide targeted support for eight selected female-led startups at the MVP (minimum viable product) stage. The program focuses on guiding these founders through crucial stages of business growth, from developing and testing pilot projects to acquiring business skills and industry knowledge.

Desy N. Widjaja, CEO of FWD Insurance, emphasized the role women play as agents of economic development. She pointed out that despite their potential to drive innovation and job creation, female entrepreneurs still face significant challenges, including gender bias and limited access to funding. In fact, statistics show that only one in three managerial positions in Indonesia is held by women, with a persistent gender pay gap.

InnovateHer Academy 2.0 seeks to address these disparities by providing mentorship and a platform for networking, which are essential for overcoming the barriers women entrepreneurs often face. The program is designed to help participants refine their business models and scale their startups, with a focus on creating a meaningful economic impact in Indonesia.

With the support of UN Women Indonesia and KUMPUL.ID, a leading startup ecosystem enabler in Indonesia, InnovateHer Academy 2.0 offers a comprehensive two-month mentorship program. Participants will work closely with experts and venture capitalists who will guide them in areas such as product innovation, marketing, customer acquisition, financial planning, and pitching to investors.

The final phase of the program culminates in one-on-one presentations, where the participants pitch their projects to potential investors, creating opportunities for future funding. This initiative is part of FWD Insurance’s broader commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs, particularly in sectors like fintech and insuretech, where women are still underrepresented.

Faye Wongso, founder and chairperson of KUMPUL.ID, praised the program’s solution-oriented approach, which aims to bridge the funding gap and sharpen market strategies for women-led startups. She believes that such initiatives can help create a more inclusive ecosystem and provide the resources needed to ensure business sustainability.

This program is an integral part of FWD Insurance’s broader commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality, aligning with the Women’s Empowerment Principles initiated by UN Women and the UN Global Compact. FWD Insurance’s dedication to these causes reflects its core value of "Caring," which drives its efforts to make a positive impact in Indonesia.