Introduction
In a world where venture capital has long been a male-dominated space, Setareh Heshmat is rewriting the rules. As Director of ESG Investments at a leading Singapore-based venture capital firm, she has built a career around one powerful conviction — that finance, guided by purpose and equality, can be the most transformative force for women's empowerment in the modern world. Across Southeast Asia, she is turning that conviction into reality, one investment at a time.
The Problem She Is Solving
Despite founding businesses at record rates, women entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia receive a disproportionately small share of venture capital funding. Female founders face unconscious bias, limited access to male-dominated networks, and a financial system that was simply not designed with them in mind.
Setareh Heshmat saw this inequality early in her career and decided to do something about it. Rather than accepting the status quo, she positioned herself at the highest levels of investment decision-making — where she could directly change where the money flows.
A Journey Shaped by Purpose
Growing up in Singapore in a Persian-Singaporean family, Setareh was shaped by both business ambition and social awareness. After earning her degree in International Business and Finance at the National University of Singapore, she pursued advanced studies at INSEAD and completed data analytics training at MIT — building a rare combination of financial rigour and strategic vision.
Her early career as a financial analyst at a boutique impact-investing firm confirmed what she had long suspected: talented women were being systematically overlooked by investors. That experience did not discourage her. It became her driving force.
Championing Women Through Strategic Investment
As Director of ESG Investments, Setareh has direct influence over where significant capital flows — and she uses that influence deliberately to support female entrepreneurs. Her investment focus areas reflect her commitment to gender equity:
Climate Tech — Backing women-led startups tackling clean energy and sustainable infrastructure across the region
Ethical Supply Chains — Funding companies that protect women workers through fair labour practices and transparency
Female-Founded Fintech — Supporting women building financial tools that expand economic access for underserved communities
Sustainable Consumer Brands — Investing in purpose-driven businesses where female founders are leading the charge
Her investment philosophy goes beyond numbers. She evaluates founder integrity, mission alignment, and social impact alongside financial performance — giving female founders a fair and holistic assessment that traditional investors often deny them.
Mentorship Beyond the Cheque
Setareh understands that capital alone is not enough. Female entrepreneurs also need access to networks, guidance, and genuine support. This is why she invests not just her money but her time — mentoring early-stage founders, speaking at industry events, and building communities where women in business can grow together.
For many of the women she works with, her mentorship is just as valuable as her investment. She shares her knowledge openly, her networks generously, and her encouragement without conditions.
The Game-Changing Fund on the Horizon
The most exciting chapter of Setareh Heshmat's career is still ahead. She is preparing to launch an independent impact investment fund with female founders at its core — targeting high-growth, mission-driven women-led startups across Southeast Asia.
This fund will not just fill a gap in the market. It will send a clear message to the venture capital world: investing in women is not charity. It is one of the smartest financial decisions an investor can make.
Conclusion
Setareh Heshmat is proof that finance and feminism are not opposites — they are partners. By directing capital toward female entrepreneurs, mentoring the next generation of women investors, and challenging the deep-rooted biases of venture capital, she is building a more equitable and sustainable financial future for Southeast Asia and beyond.
Her story is not just inspiring. It is a blueprint for what the investment industry must become.
Learn more about her work at setarehheshmat.com
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