Our Pitch Festival is back in conjunction with International Women’s Day and we want YOU to be a part of it! This time, we have cold hard cash prizes to be won, thanks to our sponsors!
We’re amplifying your startup through our CRIB x Launchpad Female Founders Pitch Festival, where two of Singapore’s leading entrepreneur networking communities unite to spotlight funding for female-led impact startups.
Applications are now open and finalists will have the chance to win:
– $5,000 cash prize
– $2,000 cash prize
– Plus, over $15,000 in value from Honeycombers, Launchpad, Trehaus, Victoria Mintey, Nadi Nature Resort, Tinted Wateva and Dance Embassy
The last day for you to apply is 15 Feb. Trust us female founders, this is the opportunity you don’t want to miss! And it’s also the perfect event for you to broaden your network, as we will have angel investors, VCs, and inspiring entrepreneurs in the room!
Timeline
Applications open – 12 Jan – 15 Feb
Announcement of finalists – 16 Feb
Pitch training of finalists – 20 Feb, 5 Mar
Pitch event – 07 Mar
Programme Schedule
6:00 PM – Registration and networking
6:30 PM – Welcome note by Chris Edwards, founder of Honeycombers and Launchpad
6:40 PM – Introduction to the pitch session by Edoria Ridzmann, Community Manager, Launchpad
6:45 PM – CHOMP
7:00 PM – GreenFi
7:15 PM – DHF Platforms
7:30 PM – Glorious
8:00 PM – A quick chat with Chris
8:10 PM – Announcement of results and vote of thanks
8:15 PM – Networking and dinner & drinks
9:00 PM – End of programme
Dinner & drinks will be served.
Tickets
CRIB and Launchpad Members – $35
Non-members – $70
Note: These tickets are to attend the event as a guest and get the opportunity to network with investors. There is no fee to apply for the pitch competition or for the selected finalists who will pitch during the event.
About Our Judges
Gail Wong
Gail Wong is a gender-lens investor in Southeast Asia. She has led angel syndicates and founded a venture capital firm investing in diverse founders. Her portfolio is >75% women-led and/or impact-driven, which reflects a thesis of decolonised and reimagined capitalism. Gail prioritises investment in ventures that heal systemic injustices, build a sustainable and equitable world and return in multiple dimensions.
Gail’s prior experience advising financial and technology companies on >$10Bn of M&A / financings at Morgan Stanley informs her cross-disciplinary work today: guiding purpose-led leaders and businesses to make transformative financial decisions aligned with their values.
She is proud to serve as Investment Committee member, Advisor and Activator of Angels of Impact, Circulate Capital and Coralus, respectively.
HuiQing Phoe
Before joining the Choco Up team, HuiQing Phoe spent some time in the professional services sector where she gained valuable experience managing a diverse portfolio of companies spanning various industries. She is known for her adept problem-solving skills and willingness to tackle challenges, and has always sought to make a positive impact throughout her career.
HuiQing believes in continuous learning and stays up-to-date with technological advancements and business strategies. She thinks that perpetual growth is the way to go and embraces change as a catalyst for success.
When HuiQing isn’t working, she loves travelling and relishing new experiences and cultural encounters. She enjoys connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cherishes the opportunity to broaden her perspectives. HuiQing takes pleasure in culinary pursuits and delights in preparing meals for her loved ones.
JinA Bae
JinA Bae is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and maximising positive impact of capital in Asia’s emerging markets. She has built her career as an investor and entrepreneur in the US, Europe, and Asia over the last decade.
She is a Co-founder and Managing Partner of Abound Capital, a venture debt firm established in Singapore with a mission to expand access to alternative capital for entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. Abound Capital provides non-dilutive, flexible source of growth funding in the form of venture debt to early/growth stage companies across the region.
Prior to launching Abound Capital, JinA served as the Head of Corporate Venture at Hanwha, one of the largest conglomerates in Korea, where she led global venture investments for the financial arm of the group. JinA began her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company in San Francisco and London and was also a founder of a London-based food tech startup. She holds a B.A. (magna cum laude, Distinction in the Major) in Ethics, Politics & Economics from Yale University and is a Kauffman Fellow (Class 23).
Lauren Teo
Lauren Teo is a Senior Associate at Cocoon Capital, a venture capital firm based in Singapore, co-founded by seasoned angel investors Will Klippgen and Michael Blakey. Cocoon Capital is renowned for its founder-first and hands-on approach to early-stage investing. In her role, Lauren is instrumental in managing the entire investment process, from sourcing deals to closing them. She works closely with Cocoon’s portfolio companies, advising them on go-to-market and expansion strategies to fuel their growth.
Milena Nikolova
Milena is Partner at Aera VC, a global venture capital firm investing in breakthrough technologies that accelerate the world to a more sustainable future. She focuses on transformative and rapidly scalable solutions to decarbonizing industry and future of food. She is co-chair of the Climate Solutions Committee at the Singapore Venture & Private Capital Association. Milena has over 20 years of finance experience, spanning investment banking, wealth management, venture capital investing and startup advisory. She is a strong believer that directing capital for impact can be a powerful force for good without compromising financial returns.
Tianna Nguyen
Tianna Nguyen is the founder of Alensia. She has lived in the USA, Dubai, London, and Singapore and worked at global reputable firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Credit Suisse AG Singapore, Invesco, and J.P. Morgan & Co. She has worked across several industries on international deals, and also worked in Vietnam and Myanmar. Her work included PE / VC, Corporate Finance, M&A, and capital raising advisory; this has also extended to several fundraising negotiations and projects with technology companies involving ESG, including impact investments. Tianna benefits from an outstanding network of entrepreneurs in the most exciting economies, helping bridge connections to a complex ecosystem where she is unearthing unique and innovative private investment, sponsorship or strategic opportunities for investment firms and businesses globally.
Tianna’s dedication is matched only by her commitment to empowering women and supporting entrepreneurship. She is a co-founder of Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Singapore and is active with Harvard Global Women’s Empowerment. She is an angel investor and has mentored several companies. She studied at The Ohio State University for her Biology and Finance degrees. Tianna also received her Master’s Degrees from Harvard University and Hult International Business School.
Meet The Host
Chris Edwards
Founder of Honeycombers and Launchpad
Chris is a serial entrepreneur having started her first business in 2008 – a lifestyle media platform: Honeycombers. It was designed to inspire Singapore residents to live better lives. Chris had only been living and working in Singapore for two years, and found that she (and her peers) were only reading international media. She felt that many expats were disengaged with the local Singapore culture, nightlife and entertainment scene, and that many people felt Singapore was “boring” because of this disconnection. With a background in marketing and publishing, Chris decided to fill the gap, and so she created a digital platform and a community that expats, as well as locals, would trust; that would engage and influence them, and unlock the best experiences in Singapore. Over the last 15 years, the Honeycombers platform has grown to become the leading digital brand in lifestyle content. In January 2022, Chris launched Launchpad – an entrepreneurial community business group, designed to help small businesses thrive through community, peer mentoring and coaching. Chris now runs five companies across four countries and spends her time split between Singapore and Australia.
Our Sponsors
Choco Up
Prize sponsor: $5,000 cash
Choco Up, the largest revenue-based financing and growth platform in Asia, offers lightning-fast, flexible, and founder-friendly funding solutions. With data analytics and machine learning at its core, Choco Up employs vast integrations to automate fund deployment, providing fast-growing companies with zero-equity funding in a quick and seamless manner.
Cocoon Capital
Prize sponsor: $2,000 cash
Cocoon Capital is a Singapore-based venture capital firm focusing on early-stage enterprise tech companies across Southeast Asia. With its slogan “Dare to Change™”, it differentiates itself by working closely with its portfolio founders to unleash their potential to change the world.
Cocoon Capital funds and mentors companies from seed through to Series A. Specifically focused on B2B enterprise and deep tech, the fund typically invests up to $1m per deal. Cocoon Capital prefers to act as lead investor and typically takes a board seat.
Victoria Mintey
Prize sponsor: In person pitch training session with Victoria, valued at $1800
In this session, finalists will have the chance to workshop their business pitch with theatre actor and public speaking specialist, Victoria Mintey. You will super-charge the structure, the story, and the delivery style of your pitch through live rehearsal, insightful feedback and practical exercises. The best speakers are those who are comfortable in their own skin, and not only tell us about their passion for the business but they show it as well. Victoria will help you to build your on-stage confidence and communication dynamics in order to influence the hearts and minds of your audience.
Nadi Bali
Prize sponsor: 2-night stay in Waterfall including breakfast for 2 pax, one romantic dinner for 2 pax, and a 90-minute deep tissue massage; valued at $570
Nadi Bali is home to Nadi Nature Resort and Nadi Farm Café and is located between Jatiluwih and Bedugul in Bali, about 15-minute drive from each. Located at the foothills of Mt. Batukaru, Nadi Farm Cafe overlooks rice fields, jungle ravines and on the property. Nadi Nature Resort is a tented mountain eco-resort with three waterfalls running either side of the land to the main river boundary at the bottom of the property.
Tinted Wateva + Dance Embassy
Prize sponsor: 3 months of our Tinted Wateva membership, valued at $154/month; Free 5-class package, valued at $160
Tinted Wateva is a friendly community of businesswomen that’s also designed to be your growth platform. They have the unique and perfect mix of members: big names, women who are experts and thriving in their business, as well as ambitious women who are just starting out or owners of growing businesses. It’s a friendly thriving community of women supporting each other to build a life they love.
Since 2012, Dance Embassy has been the go-to company for all things dance, fitness and wellness. Each of their instructors are the epitome of professionalism, talent and most importantly, they are community builders.