©2026 Business Next Media Corp. All Rights Reserved. No.102, Guangfu S. Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan
Standard Chartered Launches 4th Women in Entrepreneurship Award in Taiwan
Standard Chartered Bank launched the fourth edition of the Women in Entrepreneurship Award in Taipei on March 4, opening applications for this year’s program and bringing together representatives from the startup ecosystem, nonprofit organizations, and government.
The initiative is organized in partnership with the Garden of Hope Foundation and focuses on supporting women aged 16 to 35 who are building businesses related to social or environmental challenges. The program includes a total prize pool of NTD 2 million (about USD 60,000) and offers participants mentorship, training sessions, and networking opportunities.
According to Toak Cheng Toh, Chief Financial Officer of Standard Chartered Taiwan, the program has gradually expanded beyond a one-time award. Since its launch three years ago, it has developed into a broader initiative that includes workshops, mentoring sessions, and ongoing engagement with past participants.
Expanding Support for Women Entrepreneurs
The launch event brought together representatives from different parts of Taiwan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Chun-An Chen Director of the Department of Economic Development of the Taipei City Government, also attended and spoke about Taipei’s efforts to strengthen the city’s startup environment through incubation programs and public support initiatives.
Taipei has become one of Taiwan’s most active startup hubs in recent years. The city hosts a growing number of accelerators, innovation centers, and startup support programs designed to encourage entrepreneurship and help early-stage companies develop their ideas.
For Standard Chartered, the Women in Entrepreneurship Award is part of a broader effort to support more inclusive participation in business and entrepreneurship. Tiffany Wang, Deputy CEO of Standard Chartered Taiwan, noted that many founders face challenges in accessing funding, networks, and other resources during the early stages of starting a business.
While the award includes financial support, organizers say the program also aims to provide longer-term support through mentorship and community building. Jessie Chiu, Senior Vice President of Brand and Community Inclusion at Standard Chartered Taiwan, explained that the program focuses on three areas: funding, mentorship, and peer networks.
Participants are introduced to mentors from the bank and other professional fields, and they also have opportunities to connect with founders from previous cohorts. Organizers say this network has become an important part of the program as more alumni remain involved after completing the initiative.
Building a Network Beyond the Award
Since its launch, the Women in Entrepreneurship Award has supported multiple groups of founders working on projects ranging from education and environmental initiatives to community-based services. Participants take part in workshops and mentoring sessions designed to help them refine their business models and develop sustainable operations.
The fourth edition of the program will continue this structure while encouraging more interaction between alumni and new participants. Previous participants are expected to share their experiences and provide guidance to founders entering the program this year.
Programs that combine financial support with mentorship and professional networks can play a role in helping founders develop stronger foundations for their companies. In Taiwan, women entrepreneurs are active across a range of sectors, including social enterprises, technology startups, and community-based initiatives.
Addressing Broader Challenges in Entrepreneurship
The initiative also reflects broader global discussions about gender equality in entrepreneurship. Data referenced during the event suggested that women around the world still face gaps in economic participation and access to resources compared with men.
During the keynote session, Elisa Chiu, founder of Anchor Asia, spoke about the challenges many women entrepreneurs encounter when building businesses and navigating professional networks. She discussed the importance of mentorship and community support for founders working through the early stages of entrepreneurship.
Applications for the fourth Women in Entrepreneurship Award are now open. Selected participants will take part in workshops and mentoring sessions before the final awards are announced later in the year.
For many founders attending the launch event, programs that combine financial support with mentorship and community connections remain an important resource when navigating the early stages of building a business.
For more information, visit: https://wiegoh.tw/
©2026 Business Next Media Corp. All Rights Reserved. No.102, Guangfu S. Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan