Sheryl Tan on Female Founders

October 14, 2024

Innovation thrives on diverse perspectives, and at Pacific Channel, we recognise that empowering women in deep tech isn't just about equality – it's about unlocking untapped potential in our innovation ecosystem.

In this video, Dr Sheryl Tan talks about Pacific Channel's approach to supporting female founders.

The reality is that when we limit participation in deep tech to a narrow demographic, we're missing out on insights, approaches, and solutions that could transform industries and solve challenges facing our future.

What we've observed (and we recognise that Pacific Channel is not the only funds management firm with this observation) is that women often bring unique strengths to deep tech innovation. Their approach to risk assessment, for instance, frequently demonstrates a more comprehensive evaluation of opportunities and challenges. This isn't about being risk-averse – it's about taking calculated, strategic risks that have been thoroughly evaluated from multiple angles - an approach that can lead to more sustainable and successful outcomes.

So why is this critical for the deep tech sector?

Because solving complex global challenges require diverse thinking and varied approaches. When we bring more women into deep tech, we're not just diversifying our talent pool – we're enhancing our collective ability to solve complex problems. Women often bring heightened empathy and creativity to technical challenges, leading to solutions that might otherwise be overlooked.

The challenge isn't in finding capable women – it's in breaking down the systemic barriers that have historically limited their participation. By actively working to change 'old-school' perceptions, we're not just helping individual entrepreneurs; we're strengthening the entire innovation ecosystem.

Be assured, this isn't about meeting quotas or checking boxes. It's about building a more robust, creative, and successful deep tech sector. When we empower more women to bring their innovations to market, we create a downstream impact and show what's possible.