Setareh Heshmat’s Mission to Empower Female Entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia

 In the world of finance and venture capital, women remain significantly underrepresented. Despite the growing number of female entrepreneurs, access to funding and resources remains a challenge. Setareh Heshmat, Director of ESG Investments at a leading Singapore-based venture capital firm, is determined to change that. Her mission is clear: to empower female entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia by ensuring they receive the financial backing and strategic mentorship needed to scale their businesses.

Championing Women in Business

With a background in finance and sustainability, Setareh has spent years navigating the complexities of impact investing. Her extensive experience in evaluating startups, particularly those focused on sustainability and ethical business practices, has made her a formidable force in the venture capital world. However, she has also witnessed firsthand the gender disparities that exist in the industry.

Studies have shown that women-led startups receive significantly less venture funding than their male counterparts, despite generating higher returns on investment. Setareh believes that this gap is not due to a lack of talent or capability but rather to structural barriers that hinder women from accessing crucial funding opportunities.

A Vision for Change

Setareh’s vision is to create a more inclusive investment landscape by prioritizing female-led startups in her ESG-focused portfolio. She actively seeks out businesses founded by women, particularly in the fields of sustainable technology, ethical consumer goods, and impact-driven fintech. Through her leadership, she has introduced initiatives that provide female entrepreneurs with:

• Access to Capital: She ensures that a significant portion of her firm’s investments go towards startups led by women, recognizing their potential to drive innovation and social change.

• Mentorship and Strategic Guidance: Understanding the challenges women face in business, she personally mentors female founders, helping them navigate fundraising, scaling, and sustainable growth.

• Networking and Visibility: By leveraging her industry connections, Setareh introduces female entrepreneurs to key investors, policymakers, and business leaders who can help propel their ventures forward.

Leading by Example

Beyond her investment role, Setareh is an active advocate for gender equality in business. She speaks at industry conferences, writes thought leadership pieces on ethical investing, and collaborates with organizations that support women in entrepreneurship. She also mentors young female professionals who aspire to enter the finance and venture capital space, ensuring that the next generation of women is better equipped to lead.

The Road Ahead

Setareh Heshmat’s journey is one of breaking barriers and challenging norms. By championing female entrepreneurs and advocating for a more inclusive financial ecosystem, she is not only changing the face of venture capital but also paving the way for a new era of impact-driven, gender-inclusive investment.

As she continues to push forward, one thing is certain—her work is not just about funding businesses; it’s about reshaping the future of entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia.