Singapore Founder Mia Hoang Wins Global TiE Women Pitch Competition

SINGAPORE, March 26 2026 — In a strong signal of Asia’s growing influence in global entrepreneurship, Singapore-based founder Mia Hoang has emerged as the global winner at the TiE Women Pitch Competition 2026, marking a milestone moment for women-led innovation from Southeast Asia.

Hoang, the founder of sustainable materials company AirXCarbon, secured the top prize of S$100,000 in equity-free funding after competing against leading women entrepreneurs from over 40 countries. Her win follows her earlier success at the TiE Singapore Women Entrepreneur Competition, from which she advanced to represent Singapore on the global stage.

Defining Moment

Hoang’s victory is among the first instances of a Southeast Asian founder clinching the global TiE Women title, reinforcing the region’s growing role in nurturing high-potential women entrepreneurs.

The achievement reflects a broader shift in the global startup ecosystem, where women founders from Asia are increasingly gaining access to capital, visibility, and international platforms, enabling them to compete at the highest levels.

At a time when conversations around gender equity in entrepreneurship often centre on funding gaps and structural barriers, Hoang’s win underscores the impact of targeted platforms that combine mentorship with tangible financial support. The S$100,000 prize awarded to Hoang is positioned as one of the most substantial equity-free cash awards in women-focused startup competitions globally.

By combining funding with mentorship and global exposure, the programme aims to address multiple barriers that women founders typically face across different stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

Hoang’s journey from a national winner to a global champion also highlights the strength of Singapore’s startup ecosystem in supporting women-led ventures. The global competition itself drew more than 3,000 applications, culminating in a final round held at the TiE Global Summit, where top founders pitched their ventures to an international audience.

This progression from local to global platforms illustrates how ecosystem support can play a pivotal role in enabling women entrepreneurs to scale beyond domestic markets.

Shifting the Narrative

Hoang’s success comes at a time when the narrative around women in entrepreneurship is evolving from participation to leadership and influence.

Across Asia, women founders are increasingly building ventures in high-impact sectors, attracting investor attention, and shaping innovation agendas. Yet challenges remain, particularly in accessing growth capital and navigating traditionally male-dominated investment networks.

Programmes like TiE Women are helping to bridge these gaps by creating structured opportunities for women to gain visibility, credibility, and financial backing on a global stage.

As Asia continues to strengthen its position in the global innovation landscape, the rise of women entrepreneurs will be a defining factor in shaping inclusive and sustainable growth. Hoang’s win not only reflects individual achievement but also signals the growing maturity of support systems that enable women founders to thrive.

With increasing access to capital, networks, and platforms, the next phase of entrepreneurship in Asia is likely to see more women stepping into leadership roles, building scalable ventures, and contributing to a more inclusive global startup ecosystem.