Women Founders and Funders Singapore 2025 unveils 10 agrifoodtech trailblazers driving global change

Thursday, 2 October 2025 — Women Founders & Funders Singapore has announced the 10 outstanding entrepreneurs who will be pitching on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, during Singapore International Agri-Food Week representing the next wave of agrifoodtech innovation.

In every corner of the globe, women are leading with science, empathy and bold vision to reimagine our food systems. These founders have been selected from a competitive pool of applicants, illustrating a geographic expansion to 15 countries (2x increase) with Singapore (31%), New Zealand (14%) and Thailand (11%) leading the submissions. Australia (41%) and Singapore (33%) had dominated applications in 2024, highlighting a shift toward Southeast Asian innovation hubs.

We are seeing solutions that regenerate rather than deplete, technologies rooted in functional nutrition, climate resilience and circular design with the potential to move the needle on climate. With technologies spanning areas such as functional ingredients (17.3%), climate resilience (14.8%), and circular models (12.3%). The application scoring criteria was based on product innovation, commercial viability, traction, and climate impact potential. 

"The 2025 Women Founders and Funders Singapore cohort demonstrates that women-led innovation in agrifoodtech is about traction. These founders are already revenue-stage, with certifications, pilots and customers, proving that climate-positive solutions can be commercially compelling," said Rebecca Sharpe, Director of Singapore-based Better Earth Ventures. "From regenerative soil and smart supply chains to novel ingredients, circular materials, and health innovations, these startups showcase the breadth of agrifood innovation. Women receive minimal venture capital and this initiative spotlights visionary leaders proving Asia’s role as a global growth engine."

Presenting the Women Founders and Funders Singapore 2025 cohort:

• Michelle Arsjad (Indonesia): Aquabloom is a seaweed biotech company turning tropical seaweed into next-generation biostimulants that raise crop yields 20-40% while delivering high ROI for farmers. By linking coastal and land-based farmers in a full-circle model, Aquabloom restores marine ecosystems and advances the blue economy.
  

• Huyen Tran (Vietnam): DHF Platforms is an agrifood company delivering traceable, high-quality produce from smallholder farms in Vietnam (68% women-led) to retail in Vietnam and export markets, using tech-driven sourcing and its Crop-IQ platform to tackle food waste, rural inequality, and consumer trust.
  

• Shelley Houston (New Zealand): KiwiLeather Innovations transforms kiwifruit waste into a premium bio-based, plant-based Next-Gen material, non-toxic, water-resistant, and circular, proving that sustainability and luxury can thrive together in fashion, automotive, and furniture worldwide.
  

• Avika Narula (Thailand): Living Roots accelerates regenerative agriculture with data-driven biological fertilisers that boost yields, rebuild soil health, and help farmers transition off synthetics, improving profitability and sustainability.
  

• Paige Whitehead (Canada): Lux Bio engineers proteins that generate light. From the depths of the oceans, to the frontlines of emergency response, to the farthest reaches of space, the future of light is safe and sustainable.
  

• Dr. Anli Geng (Singapore): Mycosortia is reinventing chocolate with cocoa-free, AI-optimized alternatives using proprietary microbial mixed-culture technology to address cost, sustainability, and accessibility in confectionery.
  

• Dr. Jaslyn Lee (Singapore): N&E Innovations is turning food waste into Vikang, a patented, food-safe antimicrobial agent that extends shelf life, reduces post-harvest loss, and replaces plastic packaging with sustainable, scalable solutions across Asia’s agri-food system. 
  

• Elén Faxö (Sweden): OlsAro Crop Biotech is fast-tracking climate-resilient cereals with its proprietary biotech engine SeedAX — securing food supply in a changing climate by delivering salinity and heat-tolerant wheat and rapidly expanding to additional traits and cereals.
  

• Dr. Olivia Ogilvie (New Zealand): Opo Bio is pioneering scalable biomanufacturing with patented cell line technology and tailored development services, enabling long-term growth and production of cell-derived ingredients like collagen for industry-wide impact.
  

• Kimberley Bray (New Zealand): Tertiary Extracts is transforming agricultural by-products into clinically backed health ingredients, led by Ovitage® Collagen and their Everee brand, to deliver sustainable, traceable nutrition for women across life stages while reducing waste.
  

"As venture investors, we are excited to see such amazing businesses founded by women in this year’s program,"  says Jenn Burka, Investor with FTW Ventures. "Historically, startups led by women are faster to revenue and return more of the capital invested. Therefore, we see a huge opportunity for generating meaningful profit for investors in these businesses."

Now in its fourth year,  Women Founders and Funders Singapore, complementing the annual San Francisco event of the same name with the series founded by FTW Ventures. This program thrives on collaboration with strategic partners Better Earth Ventures, MarTech Collective, Rebbeck Consulting and Tomorrow Studio Ventures and ecosystem support from Foundational, Epic Angels and WOMAG.

To join the room where change is happening, register your interest to attend before 22 October 2025. For more information, visit the programme website, follow Better Earth Ventures on LinkedIn and join the conversation #WomenFouFun.

Media contact:Nathalie Gibson | nathalie@martechcollective.com | Whatsapp +61 403 135 416

About Better Earth VenturesBetter Earth Ventures is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of transformative technologies and initiatives that mitigate climate change and promote sustainable living. Located in Singapore, we serve as a pivotal gateway to Asia-Pacific, with a strong regional network of commercial partners, investors and mentors to help growth-stage businesses scale sustainably across borders. Through collaboration, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, we empower visionary entrepreneurs to drive tangible impact and pave the way for a resilient and thriving planet.

About MarTech CollectiveMarTech Collective is a brand, marketing and communications agency dedicated to empowering pioneering tech-driven innovators. We believe in the power of innovation to transform our world for the better. Our mission is to amplify the voices of trailblazers who are committed to sustainable solutions and positive change, reshaping industries and driving significant changes in the way we live and work for the future of our planet.