In the tech industry, innovation is seen as the currency of progress. making technical skills often the criteria for elected leaders in the space. Particularly in the Philippines, women represent 29.2% of the industry, but only 12.4% occupy leadership positions according to the 2023 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report. 

The same report noted that the country ranked 16th out of 145 economies with a 79.1% gender parity, the highest in Southeast Asia, and second only to New Zealand (4th) within East Asia and the Pacific.  While these numbers show that there is still a long way to go, they also highlight the significant progress that has been made–as these women have become integral in reshaping the landscape with their expertise and vision.

Female business leaders in Southeast Asia share their views on leadership

At 917Ventures, we’ve witnessed firsthand the invaluable contributions of women in the industry. They’re not just highly valued but the driving forces of impact. 

Currently, 42% of our teams, venture builders, and CEOs are women – all of whom occupy integral roles in the venture building process.

Empowering women with women-led innovations

Throughout our network of portfolio companies, we are surrounded by women who are leading the way in creating more spaces for women both in the workplace and through their digital products. 

Financial inclusion

It’s evident in the leadership of companies like GCash, the Philippines’ only duacorn in the fintech realm; under the leadership of Martha Sazon, GCash has been instrumental in driving financial inclusion in the Philippines, empowering millions of Filipinos, especially women, to participate in the formal economy, gain financial independence, and access essential services. 

Digital enablement

One of our venture builders-turned-CEO Stephanie Kubota has been working in the same realm, leading RUSH Technologies–an e-commerce and loyalty SaaS platform–in creating opportunities for MSME businesses, including those owned and led by women, in the food and beverage space to digitize their operations; building an online presence, expanding their reach, and streamlining operations through digital channels. Currently, they have over 1,000 merchant partners that span through over 7,000 locations nationwide. 

Access to healthcare

KonsultaMD is another venture we can look to; With 85% of its medical professionals and 70% of its clientele being women, the platform plays a vital role in providing access to essential health services, including obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric care, and family medicine. Not to mention, nine out of 12 members in their leadership team are women, led by their CEO Beia Latay – setting a powerful example of gender-inclusive leadership in the healthcare sector. 

Digital Upskilling & Empowerment

As innovators, we find ourselves in a position to be able to help bridge the gap in women’s digital upskilling – most especially in the Philippines wherein there is still a large disparity for women in STEM. 

Ina Gervasio, our CEO for KodeGo is taking this forward through our edutech platform – creating opportunities for Filipinos who wish to hone their digital skills. To date, they’ve supported almost 2,000 graduates, 400 of which are women.

Achieving true gender equity–beyond representation

As women, the roles we occupy are not often in the technical aspect–as most of us are in marketing, creatives, finance, communications, product development, and legal–but we are trailblazers in the spaces that we do take up because we serve as the backbone of the tech industry. We are the enablers of our technical counterparts that allow them to develop digital solutions that create opportunities for others.

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned as a woman in tech and being part of one of the largest venture builders in Southeast Asia, women in our position are unique – not because we are rare, but because we can open doors for more like us to come in and influence more diverse thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. 

We foster innovation through our creativity and empathy–encouraging others to be mindful of how our digital solutions can make a meaningful impact on both the masses and the underserved. 

We move people with our words and our attention to detail–guiding the teams we are in through the process conscientiously and tactfully; making sure that no one is left behind. 

It is imperative that we embrace our stories and boldly assert our presence; recognizing that regardless of the roles we inhabit – be it technical or supportive – we not only belong but also make significant contributions to the industry. 

What it comes down to is collaboration. We can only achieve true equity by giving everyone an equal opportunity to be involved– not just us women. Our male allies–those who believed in us and trusted us to do well in these positions–are there to help us uplift more people. It’s with their support we’re able to amplify the voices of women and help break down systemic barriers and biases.

Investing in women should not be just a passing trend. For us, it is a strategic imperative. More than getting a seat at the table, it’s about bridging gaps, catalyzing economic growth, and laying the groundwork for everyone’s voices, talents, and contributions to be heard, valued, and respected.

The article titled “How women in The Philippine’s largest venture builder are creating more spaces for women in tech” was contributed by Natasha Bautista, Head of Growth Marketing and Corporate Relations, 917Ventures

About the author

Prior to joining 917Ventures, Natasha co-founded and was the Operations Head of QBO, the Philippines’ first innovation hub and non-profit foundation that supports startups. She also brought over Grab to the country, being employee #1 in Grab Philippines and being GrabCar Head as her last role.

Natasha has been helping existing startups and new ventures for almost 10 years, and her passion for nation-building and development fuels her drive.