JAKARTA, INDONESIA, October 9 – Helen Wong, Managing Partner at Indonesia’s leading early-stage venture capital firm AC Ventures (ACV), recently addressed regional policymakers and prominent business leaders at the Women’s CEO Forum at the Ritz Carlton in downtown Jakarta, an official sideline event of the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) 2023. Indonesia, home to more than 64 million MSMEs, accounting for 98% of all businesses in the nation, offers a substantial opportunity for venture capital investment.
These MSMEs contribute over 61% to the local economy, with more than half of them being women-owned, presenting an annual investment opportunity worth over US$421 billion, according to AC Ventures. Helen Wong emphasized the economic rationale behind supporting women entrepreneurs in Indonesia during her presentation. She stated that these women-led businesses are not only fulfilling a social role but also serving as key economic drivers. Investing in them, she argued, is not just the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.
“In a market as vibrant as Indonesia’s, women entrepreneurs are not just fulfilling a social role; they are key economic drivers. Our research indicates that investing in women-led businesses is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” said Helen. “Given that these businesses contribute significantly to the local economy – and keep it resilient during times of crisis such as the pandemic – we’re looking at an untapped yearly opportunity worth hundreds of billions of dollars. As such, we need more female investors who understand this and are willing to take concerted action to back more female founders.”
AC Ventures is known for supporting female tech founders and women-owned MSMEs in the ASEAN region. The firm actively promotes diversity, boasting a 50:50 gender-balanced team and 41% female leadership across its investment portfolio. These figures reflect the company’s commitment to creating an equitable business environment. Helen Wong called upon fellow investors and policymakers to support female investors actively during the event, emphasizing that diversity is not just a buzzword but a business imperative.
AC Ventures aims to influence the broader investment community to recognize the untapped potential in women-led enterprises. By aligning its investment strategy with the impressive potential of women-led businesses, AC Ventures seeks to catalyze economic growth while fostering a more equitable and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Indonesia and the ASEAN region at large.
