Female-focused tech startup contest held online

The She Loves Tech 2020 Global Startup Competition was held online on Nov 21 and 22, attracting competitors from over 30 countries.

CogniCor, an artificial intelligence platform from North America, won the first prize and a $15,000 cash prize from Teja Ventures, a gender lens VC fund for emerging Asia.

SukiPlus, a supply chain finance platform from the Philippines, received a $10,000 award from Asian Development Bank Ventures.

"This year, we have seen women playing leading roles in technological innovation - including agritech, fintech, healthcare, edtech, smart cities, cleantech, consumption and retail, and women's issues - innovations which have become increasingly important in a post-pandemic world and in solving the pandemic greatest challenges we face in a time of crisis," She Loves Tech co-founders Virginia Tan said.

An online global conference was also held during the competition. Under the theme She Techs Change, the conference showcased how women in technology and leadership are shaping the emergence of a new paradigm in a post COVID-19 world.

She Loves Tech co-founder Rhea See said: "We have witnessed this trend reflected from the 3,000 startup applications we received this year with the three most popular verticals being healthcare, education and social impact."

It's the sixth edition of the competition co-organized by She Loves Tech and the Beijing Women's International Center and guided by Beijing Women's Federation. It was completely virtual for the first time due to the pandemic.

According to co-founder Leanne Robers, She Loves Tech aims to spur $1 billion in capital for women entrepreneurs by 2030.