UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will host its second in-person Masterclass for women digital entrepreneurs from South-East Asia and the Pacific, under the theme: “Powering Growth & Impact for Women-Led Digital Businesses”, on 18–21 November 2025, in Manila, Philippines.
Bridging the Digital Divide for Women Entrepreneurs
The digital economy is expanding rapidly across South-East Asia and the Pacific, opening new pathways for innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. Yet women entrepreneurs in the region continue to face barriers to digitalization, finance, visibility, and policy engagement. Structural and societal challenges often limit the full potential of women-led businesses.
To address these gaps, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is organizing a Masterclass for women digital entrepreneurs from South-East Asia and the Pacific, gathering 25 women founders from across the region for four days of learning, exchange, and inspiration.
What to Expect
This high-impact Masterclass will offer participants the opportunity to:
• Sharpen business skills through practical training sessions led by regional experts
• Exchange experiences with fellow women entrepreneurs tackling similar challenges
• Expand networks with digital ecosystem actors and investors
• Engage in dialogue with government representatives to shape more inclusive digital policies
Partners
This Masterclass is hosted by UNCTAD in collaboration with Ms. Angeline Tham, eTrade for Women Advocate for South-East Asia and the Pacific, and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).
Who Can Apply?
The Masterclass is open to women digital entrepreneurs from the following countries and territories in South-East Asia and the Pacific:
• Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Myanmar, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam.
To be eligible, applicants must:
• Be a woman founder or co-founder of a digital business (e.g. in e-commerce, fintech, agritech, edtech, healthtech, digital logistics, etc.)
• Have at least 3 years of operational activity
• Demonstrate a positive social or economic impact in their community through digital innovation, women’s empowerment, or sustainability
How to Apply?
Applications are open from 18 August until 5 September 2025.
Interested candidates must complete the application form available at: Masterclass.
Selected participants will be notified by end of September 2025.
About the eTrade for Women Initiative
Launched by the United Nations in 2019, the eTrade for Women initiative—powered by UNCTAD and the eTrade for all partnership—aims to empower women entrepreneurs in developing countries by harnessing the transformative power of digital technologies to drive inclusive growth and innovation.
