Liftwomen, a crowdfunding platform focused on women entrepreneurs, has raised $1.3 million to expand into Asia.
The round was led by Singapore VC Braxton Capital Ventures, with support from Maggie Zhou (former Alibaba Australia boss) and Gordon Watson (former AXA Asia chair). The funds will be used to grow in markets like Hong Kong and China, expand its programs, and build on its existing partnership in Indonesia.
Founded in 2021 by Irene Tsang, Liftwomen received early backing from LaunchVic’s Alice Anderson Fund. In just four years, the platform has supported 363 crowdfunding campaigns, provided 10,000+ hours of mentorship, and connected founders with investors and partners.
Tsang said Liftwomen is focused on giving women founders the tools, mentorship, and investment access they need to scale their businesses.
“This $1.3 million raise is an encouraging signal that closing the gender finance gap isn’t just a good cause, it’s a huge, untapped opportunity,” she said.
“It will accelerate our growth and enable us to reach more women in more markets, empowering their zero to one entrepreneurial journey. We want to be able to support as many women as we possibly can, who may otherwise not have access to the tools necessary to grow.
“As a single mother of two starting over in Australia, I’ve seen firsthand how women are often held back by unequal access to funding and opportunities. The funding gap that currently exists is not acceptable and Liftwomen is determined to change that, empowering women to succeed on their own terms.”
Douglas Hudson, managing partner at Braxton Capital, said that Tsang and her team are creating the essential support for women founders worldwide, helping them move from just having an idea to becoming ready for investment.
“We’re thrilled to back her in this mission, and help accelerate Liftwomen expansion across Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, where our network is strongest.,” he said.
“The team has already done an impressive job in funding and coaching thousands of women, and this is just the beginning. Together, we are opening pathways for more women-led ventures to start and scale.”
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