HER Impact Forum 2025: Igniting Purpose, Investment, and Innovation for a Sustainable Future
On March 7, 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Week, HER Impact Forum 2025 brought together visionary leaders, industry pioneers, and investors for a powerful exchange of insights and collaboration. Hosted and organized by HER Entrepreneur, chaired by Renee Tan, the event featured a thought-provoking lineup, including Guest of Honour Ang Yuit, who delivered the opening address, and Gracelyn Lin as the emcee. The forum featured a series of dynamic panels exploring sustainable business success, multi-stakeholder engagement, and impact-driven investments. The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing collective progress and the ongoing fight for gender equity and inclusive innovation.
The Power of Purpose: Welcome and Opening Remarks
Renee Tan, Founder of HER Entrepreneur, sets the stage with an inspiring opening address, challenging attendees to rethink how businesses define success. She introduced the concept of “Sustainable Business Success” – a model that goes beyond profit to include People, Planet, and Purpose as essential pillars for long-term growth.
Bridging the Gap: Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Panel
The first panel explored the persistent divide between market-driven research and real business needs. Panelists, including Hannah Oh, Mrinalini Venkatachalam, and Anne Bendt, highlighted how innovation often gets lost in translation due to a lack of early-stage collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.
- Hannah Oh, Co-Founder, IXO, Board Member, Sadot Group a seasoned advisor and impact investor, emphasized the need for clearer impact verification in research and innovation. “We think we know what the market needs, but often, we don’t. Researchers must work hand-in-hand with businesses much earlier in the process.”
- Mrinalini Venkatachalam, Regional Director at WEConnect International, addressed the funding challenges faced by women-led businesses, calling for better market access and inclusive sourcing.
- Anne Bendt, Deputy Director at SLING, National University of Singapore, brought attention to the disconnect between academic research and commercial applications, advocating for a more agile and industry-responsive approach to funding.
- Dr. May Win Naing, Director, AMSERC, A*STAR
Investing in the Future: The Impact Investing Panel
The Investors’ Panel talked about why impact-driven investments matter and how they shape businesses that prioritize the 4Ps: People, Profit, Purpose, and Planet. Key takeaways included:
- Manjit Kaur, Executive Director at GDP Capital, discussed the rising investor demand for businesses that integrate sustainability into their financial models.
- Riady Gozali, Managing Director at Golden Vision Capital, explained how blended finance, the combination of philanthropic capital, institutional investment, and research funding is becoming the future of deep-tech and sustainability financing.
- Hester Spiegel, Founding & Managing Partner at Epic Angels, stressed the importance of identifying the right investors, particularly for female founders who often face biases in securing funding.
AI, Innovation, and the Future of Work
A key highlight was the discussion on AI’s role in impact investing and business innovation. The forum explored how AI can:
- Improve fraud detection in impact investing, ensuring transparency in sustainability claims.
- Accelerate research and development in sectors like healthcare, agritech, and fintech.
- Provide more inclusive financial opportunities, particularly for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
However, concerns over AI-generated bias and its implications for female entrepreneurs and minority-led businesses were also raised, emphasizing the need for more diverse voices in AI-driven industries.
Celebrating Progress: Cake-Cutting Ceremony for International Women’s Day
The forum ended on a celebratory note with a cake-cutting ceremony, recognizing the achievements of women in leadership, research, and investment. This symbolic moment underscored the forum’s overarching message: progress is made through collective action, collaboration, and a shared commitment to impact-driven change.
A Future Built on Collaboration HER Impact Forum 2025 was more than just a gathering; it was a call to action for investors, researchers, and business leaders to break down silos and co-create a sustainable, inclusive future. The energy in the room was electric, with attendees leaving inspired to turn conversations into tangible action.
A heartfelt thank you to our esteemed speakers and partners, including SING SEE SOON FLORAL & LANDSCAPE PTE LTD, KOSÉ Corporation, A Glass of, NSJ Wellness, WEConnect International, Asia Institute of Mentoring, Global Business Chambers, Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia, and Artificial Intelligence International Institute (AIII), for their unwavering support in making this event a success.As we move forward, let’s continue amplifying women’s voices, investing in impactful innovation, and building a future where businesses thrive through purpose-driven leadership.
