Indosat sends women-led AI startups to Vietnam through SheHacks global market trip

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is expanding its women-focused startup initiative beyond Indonesia, bringing a cohort of AI-driven ventures to Vietnam as part of its push to strengthen regional innovation networks.

Through its SheHacks Global Market Benchmarking Trip, the Indonesian telecommunications company introduced five women-led startups to Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, aiming to unlock investment opportunities, build partnerships, and help founders refine their regional expansion strategies.

Held in Ho Chi Minh City, the programme brought together the top five startups from the 2025 SheHacks MVP Accelerator, representing sectors ranging from healthcare technology and inclusive communication to AI-powered marketing solutions.

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The participating startups include DoctorTool, an AI-powered digital ecosystem connecting patients, healthcare facilities, and medical professionals; Hear Me, a technology-based communication platform designed for the deaf community; Serenic.ai, which develops clinical AI tools to automate hospital administrative processes; Katalis AI, a digital marketing solution combining AI and data analytics; and Lunar Interactive, a gamification-based platform for improving foreign-language speaking skills.

Over the course of the visit, founders took part in a structured programme designed to accelerate international growth. Activities included business-matching sessions with potential partners, mentoring from industry experts, and discussions with government-backed innovation institutions in Vietnam.

Reski Damayanti, chief legal and regulatory officer of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, said the initiative reflects the company’s broader commitment to enabling inclusive digital innovation.

“This programme is designed to create real opportunities for Indonesian women in the global digital economy, reflecting Indosat's commitment to inclusive empowerment, where women play a vital role in nation-building. Through cross-border collaboration, stronger institutional networks, and investor access, SheHacks is extending its reach from Indonesia to Southeast Asia. We want women founders to forge strong connections with the global digital ecosystem, unlock funding opportunities, and transform their innovations into solutions that create meaningful impact for communities,” Damayanti said.

The trip generated tangible outcomes for participating startups. According to Indosat, the programme facilitated 51 business-matching sessions, alongside intensive mentoring covering AI development, business strategy, legal frameworks, economics, and community building.

Founders also connected with six investors, six government agencies, and nine potential ecosystem partners, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and possible market entry in Vietnam.

Key institutions involved in the initiative included the department of science and technology, the startup and innovation hub, the HCMC innovation department, the business startup support centre, and the investment and trade promotion centre. Their involvement provides potential soft-landing support for Indonesian startups looking to establish operations in the Vietnamese market.

Investor engagement was another key element of the programme. Dedicated sessions with Do Ventures and DMZ Ventures allowed founders to present their technologies, build relationships with venture capital firms, and explore funding opportunities across Southeast Asia.

Beyond exposure, the programme also provided founders with deeper insight into Vietnam’s regulatory landscape and startup ecosystem, helping them refine their products and business models for regional expansion.

The Vietnam programme is expected to serve as a blueprint for expanding SheHacks internationally, as Indosat continues to build a more inclusive and collaborative innovation ecosystem across the region.

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