Never go at it alone again: List of women-focused business, tech, and networking groups in Asia

Female entrepreneurs are rare. According to the New York Times, only eight percent of American venture-backed tech startups in 2010 were founded by women. The most common explanation given is that women are generally unwilling to bet all that she has on something that contains high risk, knowing at the back of her mind that she has other traditional heavyweight roles to fulfill such as raising families.

But more often than not, what (both) women (and men) need is support and encouragement.

This call for solidarity has been answered: In Southeast Asia, many new female-powered groups have arisen. Such communities pave the way for females to collaborate together and learn how to translate ideas into real business solutions. Here is a list of female-focused networking groups in Asia with a short description on why they’re awesome:

Singapore

Athena: With its expansion to Asia-Pacific and the United States in 2012, The Athena Network provides members with international collaboration opportunities and a rapidly growing online community where women can interact and share information, skills and business contacts. Contact them.

SG Geek Girls: Empowers the next generation of women in technology through fun, informal and interactive activities, such as Squad Drills: Practical Web Design Course for Beginners.

Girls In Tech (GIT) Singapore aims to inspire young women through focusing on the collaboration, promotion, growth and success of women in the technology sector. Girls in Tech also has chapters in other countries including Indonesia. Contact them here.

Singapore Business & Professional Women’s Association (SBPWA): Being a member of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisation enables SBPWA to form close partnerships with other women’s clubs in Singapore as well as those from other countries to give members a wider exposure in the business and professional arenas. Contact them.

Indian Women’s Association of Singapore (IWA): A non-profit organization, IWA members participate in social, cultural, educational and philanthropic activities. IWA’s mission is not only to present a cultural platform, but also to provide a networking interface to its working members. Contact them.

The International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry (IWFCI): Being a global business network made up of international trade opportunities of over 2 million affiliated members worldwide, IWFCI grants businesswomen access to global markets through this unique chamber of commerce platform. Contact them here.

PrimeTime Business and Professional Women’s Association: The PrimeTime community provides a unique experience for women looking for professional, social and community fulfillment with a international group in a convivial environment. The association has around 400 members represented by over 30 nationalities. Contact them.

Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO): One of its initiatives include The Women’s Register (WR), a platform for networking, education, mentorship, inspiration and the promotion of directorships for an extensive group of women of all ages. Contact them.

Secret {W} Business: Secret {W} Business connects and supports the many confident and capable women in Singapore looking to realize THEIR visions. They aim to engage, inspire and fuel the emerging force of women entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs within Singapore, animating the maverick potential of women in the region. Contact them.