Women Shaping the Future of Investment: Maaike Doyer Talks Angel Investing on AsiaTechDaily’s Innovation Exchange

The latest edition of AsiaTechDaily’s Innovation Exchange Program spotlighted a crucial yet underrepresented force in the investment world: women in angel investing. For this edition, we had the honor of featuring Maaike Doyer, founder of Epic Angels, as our Investor of the Month. In a candid and energizing conversation, Maaike shared her journey from entrepreneur to investor, and unpacked the barriers that often keep women from participating in startup funding.

The event was an interactive session where it was a rallying call for women to step into their financial power, support innovative founders, and reshape the investment landscape.

The program followed a three-part format:

• Formal Interview: Maaike discussed how diversity strengthens investment decisions and how we can lower barriers for first-time investors.
  
• Behind-the-Investment: She offered behind-the-scenes stories of deals made, what stood out in founders, and how she evaluates risk.
  
• Interactive Q&A: Attendees engaged directly with Maaike, asking questions about sectors, portfolio strategies and so on.
  

During the interview, Maaike, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, shared her journey from building startups to building one of Asia’s most vibrant female-only angel networks. “It wasn’t that I always planned to become an investor,” she shared. “I was an entrepreneur first. But after exiting my company, I realized I wanted to be on the other side of the table—supporting founders, especially women, from the start.”

“Even women with successful careers and financial means weren’t investing in startups. And I wondered — why not?”

That question became the foundation of Epic Angels, a women-led investment network designed to empower first-time investors. Today, Epic Angels connects over 300 female investors across Asia and beyond, guiding them through the startup investment journey with education, transparency, and a powerful sense of community.

She addressed the hesitation many women feel when stepping into investing. “A lot of women think they’re not qualified to be investors, which is simply not true. If you’ve built a business, if you understand markets, if you’re curious—you’re already halfway there.”

Debunking the Myths Around Angel Investing

One of the most common misconceptions Maaike tackled head-on during the session was the idea that angel investing is only for the ultra-wealthy or financially trained.

“You don’t need millions. You can start investing in startups with $5,000,” she emphasized. “What you do need is curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to learn.”

According to Maaike, too many women wait until they feel completely prepared before making their first investment. This hesitation stems from societal conditioning and lack of exposure rather than lack of capability.

“Women often want to feel 120% ready before diving in. But the truth is, most investors learn as they go — men included.”

Diversity: Not Just a Buzzword, But a Necessity

Maaike also explored why diversity in the investor community matters deeply — not just as a value, but as a driver of better investment outcomes.

“The more diverse your investor table, the more diverse the founders you fund. And diverse founders solve different problems,” she explained. “This is not just about equality. It’s about innovation.”

By increasing female participation in angel investing, Epic Angels is influencing what kinds of businesses receive funding — and who gets a chance to build the future.

What Makes a Great Angel Investor?

Throughout the conversation, Maaike generously shared tips for those new to investing. Some key qualities she highlighted:

• Curiosity – Being open to learning about different industries and business models.
  
• Empathy – Understanding the founder’s journey and building supportive relationships.
  
• Discipline – Knowing how to evaluate risk, diversify, and manage emotional attachment.
  
• Community – Being part of a network for shared insights and decision-making.
  

She also cautioned against common pitfalls such as investing based purely on passion without sufficient diligence, or going “all in” on one deal.

“Angel investing is a portfolio game. It’s about the long-term. Think 10 deals, not just one.”

Changing the Narrative for Women Investors

The session ended on an inspiring note, as Maaike spoke about what excites her most: the growing movement of women taking charge of capital allocation. “Only 2% of funding globally goes to female founders. And only about 20% of angel investors are women. We need to change that — by becoming investors ourselves.”

She stressed the importance of supportive ecosystems, syndicate networks, and continued learning. Her parting advice to aspiring women investors? “Start small. Ask questions. Join communities. You don’t have to do it alone. And you don’t have to wait until you feel 100% ready — just begin.”

A Platform for Inclusive Investment Conversations

AsiaTechDaily’s Innovation Exchange Program continues to spotlight the individuals shaping Asia’s investment and startup ecosystem. This session with Maaike Doyer served as a powerful reminder that inclusive investing isn’t just possible — it’s essential.

As more women step forward as investors, mentors, and decision-makers, the ripple effects will extend far beyond capital. They will shape the kind of innovation we see, the problems we solve, and the future we build.

Throughout the conversation, Maaike emphasized demystifying the process of angel investing. 

Looking to the future, Maaike said, “We’re not just investing in startups—we’re shaping the future. And women have a powerful role to play in this story.”

The session ended with a strong call to action: to activate more women with capital, curiosity, and courage to step into investing.

Stay tuned for more such conversations as we continue to amplify voices that challenge norms and spark meaningful change in Asia’s startup and investment community.