LIFTWOMEN Asia Pacific Female Founders Grant Pitch Night 2026

LiftHER Asia Pacific Female Founders Grant Pitch Night 2026

Proudly sponsored by AsiaPay Capital

Featuring 10 finalists competing for cash grant prizes.

📅 Monday 27th April

⏰ 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

📍 State Library Victoria, Conversation Quarter, Melbourne

Join us at the heritage State Library of Melbourne for an inspiring evening as we host the LIFTWOMEN Pitch Night.

As the culmination of the LiftHER Asia Pacific Female Founders Grant, this event showcases the top 10 finalists, selected from hundreds of applicants across the APAC region. These innovative, women-led startups will pitch live to an esteemed panel of judges and audience for a chance to win cash grant funding.

🌟What to expect:

• Groundbreaking Ventures: Experience live pitches from 10 visionary, women-led startups across APAC, and working to shape a better future through innovation and impact.

• Vote for the Best: Vote for your favourite founder on the night to win the People’s Choice Award. Voting is exclusive to in-person attendees, so come along to support the founders as they pitch.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect and mingle with inspiring entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners from the startup and small business community.

• Award Ceremony: Celebrate as we announce the winners across multiple categories.

• Delightful Refreshment: Enjoy a curated selection of wines, drinks, and canapés while networking and soaking up the atmosphere of the evening.
  

🌟Who should attend:

This event is ideal for investors, enterprise partners, entrepreneurs, startup enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about supporting women in business and innovation.

🌟Meet Our Esteemed Judging Panel:

• Samar Mcheileh, Managing Partner at Scale Investors

• Rachel Yang, Partner at Giant Leap

• Joseph Chan, Founder & CEO at Asia Pay

• Leila Oliveira, Senior Investment Manager, Antler

🌟Meet Our Finalists:

Here is a sneak peak, come see them in person!

• Elleesha King, Founder and CEO, Pulsatile Innovations: Pulsatile Innovations is developing life-saving cardiac arrest technology that enables earlier detection and real-time CPR feedback, improving outcomes in a high-need, high-impact healthcare market.

• Lamia Sreya Rahman, Co-Founder, Vidi Labs (Seekr): Vidi Labs is building Seekr, an AI-powered assistive technology platform that uses computer vision and voice guidance to help visually impaired users navigate the world with greater independence and safety.

• Thipsukhon Ungphongphan (Stella Bella), Founder, Rice Remedy: Rice Remedy is creating a new category in premium skincare by transforming rice waste into patented biomaterials and high-performance formulations, merging biotechnology, sustainability, and brand-led consumer demand.

• Misty Diansharira, Co-Founder, Bhetochar: Bhetochar converts agricultural waste into biochar, carbon materials, and future carbon credit opportunities, building a climate-positive business that restores soil health while unlocking new income streams for women farmers.

• Catherine Frances Ashton, Founder, Critical Info: Critical Info is building a navigation-first platform that helps individuals, families, and care providers prepare for crisis, reducing friction across health, aged care, and end-of-life planning systems.

• Annastasia Puspaningtyas, Founder, Lentera App: Lentera App is a digital library and IP marketplace unlocking access to affordable books while giving publishers and emerging authors a scalable platform to reach new readers and global markets.

• Rachel Anne Tucker, Strategy Director, Smooch Drinks: Smooch is Australia’s first arousal-enhancing functional beverage, creating a bold new consumer category at the intersection of wellness, intimacy, and FMCG innovation.

• Sabrina Farah Salsabilla, CEO, ReservoAir: ReservoAir develops nature-based urban water solutions that reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and strengthen climate resilience, addressing one of Southeast Asia’s most urgent infrastructure challenges.

JOIN US! Seats are limited. Secure your spot now to enjoy the early bird discount and witness the future of outstanding women-led entrepreneurship as it unfolds.

We look forward to hosting you!