THE ASIA FOUNDATION
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Malaysia
Services
Industry
Community
Education
Project Background
Challenges
The Asia Foundation wanted to create a platform that provided easy, centralized access to essential resources. Recognizing the unique challenges women face—especially married women juggling home and work responsibilities—the platform aimed to offer a convenient and supportive space that addresses time constraints and information overload.
Problem solving with design thinking workshop
To address the need for a centralized, accessible support system for women entrepreneurs, Lizard Global partnered with The Asia Foundation to develop a comprehensive website—a full-fledged digital ecosystem tailored to guide women through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. The platform offers access to a wide range of business resources, including event listings, mentorship opportunities, and financial support such as grants and government funding. At its core is a guided questionnaire and assessment tool that personalizes the user experience by recommending content and resources based on each individual’s current business stage and specific needs. Users can also explore educational materials covering essential topics like starting a business, crafting effective business proposals, and achieving sustainable growth. Designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind, the platform provides a user-friendly interface that helps reduce decision fatigue—making it especially valuable for busy women who are balancing business with other responsibilities.
Key features
Smart Business Assessment
Users begin their journey by completing a simple questionnaire designed to assess their business stage and individual needs. This allows the platform to tailor content and recommendations, making the user experience relevant, targeted, and time-efficient.
Curated Resources Library
The platform provides easy access to practical resources on starting and growing a business, from creating a business plan to understanding market positioning and scaling operations.
Mentorship Sign-up & Program Access
Users can register for mentorship programs that connect them with experienced entrepreneurs, public figures, and business leaders who offer guidance and support throughout the user’s journey.
Financial Literacy & Grant Information
The site features detailed information on financial tools, government grants, funding opportunities, and budgeting tips to help entrepreneurs grow sustainably and make informed financial decisions.
Event Hub & Networking Opportunities
A calendar of both virtual and physical events allows users to attend talks, workshops, and training sessions—creating opportunities to connect, learn, and build a supportive network with fellow entrepreneurs and mentors.
The impact
Empowering Women with Knowledge
The platform helps women access foundational knowledge they need to start or grow their businesses—covering everything from ideation to long-term planning.
Time-Saving and Accessible
With content tailored to each user’s specific journey, the platform saves time and reduces information overload—an essential feature for women balancing multiple responsibilities.
Mentorship-Driven Growth
Through mentorship programs, users are given ongoing encouragement, advice, and a safe space to ask questions, solve problems, and stay motivated.
Conclusion
This marks the first time the Mastercard Strivers' Hub program has been launched in Malaysia, after having proven successful in other markets. The partnership between The Asia Foundation, Mastercard, and Lizard Global brings a powerful and much-needed resource to the Malaysian entrepreneurial ecosystem—especially for women striving to build and sustain their businesses.
Visit THE ASIA FOUNDATION's website
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