Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association

What Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association does

Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association (HKWPEA) is a non-profit membership association established in September 1996 in Hong Kong. It serves women professionals and entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries and career stages in Hong Kong, with a stated mission to provide leadership, education, networking, service, and advocacy opportunities. The organization reports a single revenue stream of recurring annual membership fees (specific amounts are not publicly disclosed and require application through the secretariat) and supplements this with charitable foundation sponsorship and event-related partnerships. It is governed by an Executive Committee led by a President (currently Julianne Doe for the 2024-2026 term), three Vice Presidents, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, and Directors, with Honorary Adviser Elsie Leung (former Secretary for Justice) and Honorary President Annie Wu lending institutional credibility.

HKWPEA's core offerings are organized across 12 Working Committees spanning Charitable Foundation Liaison, Culture & Art, External Liaison, Fellowship, Greater Bay Area (GBA), Innovation & Technology, Legal, Membership, Public Affairs, Social Enterprise & Services, Sustainability, and Well-being & Health. Flagship programs include the tri-annual Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award (OWPEA), which has recognized 47 high-achieving women across 8 exercises since 1999; the Leadership Training Programme for underprivileged youth (since 2014); the N-No Family Development Project with HKSKH Welfare Council (HKD 500,000 in sponsorship across 2021-2023); the Carbon Neutrality Campaign funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund (2023); and the Project Leadership Programme with HKUST Women in Business Society. The organization holds UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status, one of the few Hong Kong organizations to do so, and has been a supporting organization and sponsor of the annual Social Enterprise Summit since 2018 (over 3,800 delegates at the 2019 edition).

The go-to-market is community-led: membership acquisition is driven by reputation, word-of-mouth referrals, networking events, and signature programs rather than paid marketing. Distribution is single-country (domestic Hong Kong), with select cross-border activities in the Greater Bay Area and Mainland China. The technology stack is a standard WordPress website (www.hkwpea.org) with no public API, SDK, or proprietary platform. Select customer/member logos span Citi Private Bank (Grace Tse), Ant Group (Jennifer Tan), Hui Doe & Sum Law Firm LLP (President Julianne Doe), OneChain Ltd (Anne Yeung), Lexngo (Carlotta Wong), and A-World Consulting (Sandra Mak), with industries diversified across financial services, legal, technology, manufacturing, and consulting.

Name

Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association

Legal name

Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association

Website

https://hkwpea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HKWPEA is a Hong Kong non-profit membership association founded in 1996 that serves women professionals and entrepreneurs through networking, leadership programs, mentorship, and advocacy, and holds UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Women's Association

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH)

Keywords

• Women professional association
• Professional networking programs
• Leadership training programs
• Women entrepreneurship support
• Advocacy and mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheung Wan

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from women professionals and entrepreneurs. Specific pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires application.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HKWPEA is a non-profit membership-based professional association that provides women professionals and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong with networking, leadership development, mentorship, advocacy, and community-service programmes. Its core offerings include the tri-annual OWPEA awards, working-committee-driven events (Greater Bay Area, Innovation & Technology, Sustainability, Culture & Art, Well-being & Health), youth and underprivileged family support initiatives, and access to an international platform via UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status.

Product overview

HKWPEA is a non-profit organization (not a technology company) that provides a platform of opportunities for business and professional women through various programs and initiatives. The organization's offerings include: the tri-annual Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award (OWPEA) as its signature event; youth development programs such as the Leadership Training Programme and Stand by Me project; environmental initiatives including the Carbon Neutrality Campaign and FoodEver WasteNever Programme; family support through the N-No Family Development Project; entrepreneurship support via the Business Start-up Assistance Scheme for Women; and professional development through seminars, experience-sharing forums, and Greater Bay Area initiatives. The organization also facilitates technology awareness through its Innovation & Technology Committee and cultural enrichment through its Culture & Art Committee. HKWPEA has Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OWPEA (Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award): A tri-annual signature award that honors and celebrates the achievements of women in Hong Kong

Products and services

• Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award (OWPEA) A tri-annual signature event honouring and celebrating the achievements of women in Hong Kong, recognising women who have made significant contributions to their professions, Hong Kong's business environment, and society.
• Leadership Training Programme for Underprivileged Youngsters Yearly programme (since 2014) offering underprivileged young people training on leadership and soft skills, including workshops, company visits, and training sessions.
• Carbon Neutrality Campaign (全城零碳行動) A 12-month campaign (initiated 2023) funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) to promote carbon neutrality, focusing on clothing, food, living, and transportation.
• N-No Family Development Project (全心勞家家庭發展計劃) Program serving underprivileged families not eligible for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, combining financial support and one-on-one mentoring from HKWPEA members.
• FoodEver WasteNever Programme (傳承惜食計劃) 18-month signature project (from 2016) focused on food waste reduction, resulting in approximately 12% savings in food waste through adoption of a food life cycle management protocol.
• Business Start-up Assistance Scheme for Women (婦女創業支援計劃) A social service project (launched 2002) designed to help less fortunate and unemployed women create self-employment by starting their own businesses.
• Successful Women Stories – Experience Sharing (婦女成功的天空) Public forums inviting prominent women to share their success stories and experiences, held in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010.
• Experience Sharing Seminar Series: Practical Aspects of Doing Business in China (中國商管實戰經驗分享研討會系列) Seminar series (2003-2004) covering business topics presented by business leaders with hands-on China experience, attended by over 900 participants.
• Project Leadership Programme Collaboration with HKUST Women in Business Society where HKWPEA members mentor student teams in pitching competitions focused on UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Stand by Me Youth Development Project 2-year project (2018-2021) designed to develop and steer youth, particularly those with low self-confidence and lack of direction in life.
• Greater Bay Area (GBA) Initiatives Activities including talks and trips to familiarise members with developments in the Greater Bay Area, including webinars and visits to mainland China cities.
• Innovation & Technology Committee Programs Online talks on AI, Biotech, Digital Transformation topics and visits to leading technology companies and unicorns, exploring the frontier of new technology.
• Culture & Art Events Activities including docent tours to exhibitions (M+, Hong Kong Palace Museum), performing arts events, and cultural appreciation programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 47 women recognized since 1999 through OWPEA awards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Data & AI Literacy Association (DALA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2025Joint organization of AI-Powered Business Strategies in Action Luncheon Seminar on 7 November 2025. Event held at Preface Headquarter, Causeway Bay with 42 members and guests. Moderated by Dr. Toa Charm, Founding Chairman of DALA.
• Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Funding provided for Carbon Neutrality Campaign (12-month campaign in 2023) and FoodEver WasteNever Programme (18-month program starting 2016). First campaign promotes practical sustainable low-carbon living focusing on clothing, food, living, and transportation.
• China CITIC Bank InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Company visits hosted by courtesy of President Helen Kan for Leadership Training Programme students to learn about banking industry, financial planning and interview skills.
• HKUST Women in Business SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration on Project Leadership Programme where HKWPEA members mentor student teams in pitching startup ideas aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. First collaboration in 2021, second in 2022. Mentors included April Yiu, Lillian Li, Anita Chau, Doris Luey, Elsie Lung, Grace Kwok, Ophelia Lin, Vera Waters, Susan Wong and Sarah Wong.
• Evangelical Free Church of ChinaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Co-organization of community service activities including 2025 EFCC Charity Run where HKWPEA Charitable Foundation sponsored HK$13,440 for 32 children from Evangel Children's Home to participate.
• Social Enterprise SummitcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018HKWPEA has been a supporting organization and sponsor for A Dinner to Remember at the annual Social Enterprise Summit since 2018. Attended by over 3,800 delegates in 2019. President and members participate and speak at events.
• Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance MastersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Co-organization of Leadership Training Programme activities including company visits and etiquette workshops for secondary school students.
• HKUST Women in Science and Engineering Scholarship ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014HKWPEA provides scholarships to female students with financial need, supported yearly starting from 2012.
• Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Co-organization of N-No Family Development Project - serving underprivileged families not eligible for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. Mentors from HKWPEA members joined with social workers. Two phases conducted 2013-15 and 2015-17, with refreshed program 2021-23 matching 25 families with 36 mentors. Total sponsorship HKD 500,000.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• APEC Women Leaders Network: APEC-affiliated network convening women leaders across Asia-Pacific. Directly comparable in mission, given HKWPEA's explicit participation in this forum, but operates at a multi-country governmental scale.
• Lean In Foundation: Global nonprofit focused on women's empowerment, mentorship circles, and leadership education. Comparable as a women's leadership and mentorship community organization with peer-group programming.
• Catalyst: Global nonprofit advancing women in the workplace through research and inclusion initiatives. Comparable as a women's advancement organization with research, advisory, and corporate-engagement programming.
• International Women's Forum: Global membership organization for accomplished women across industries and geographies. Comparable as a high-level women's professional network with peer recognition and leadership programming, but with broader geographic scope.

Emerging players

• Female Founders Fund: Community/resource hub for women entrepreneurs. Comparable in entrepreneur-support mission but operates more as a venture/investor-aligned community rather than a membership professional association.

Regional players

• Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce: Established Hong Kong business chamber with networking, policy advocacy, and committee-based programming. Comparable in operating model (committee-driven, membership-based professional/business community in HK), though not women-specific.
• Women's Commission (Hong Kong): Government advisory body on women's issues in Hong Kong. Comparable in mission focus (women's advancement and advocacy) but operates as a public-sector entity rather than a membership association.

Direct peers

• Zonta International: Global service organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service projects, scholarships, and advocacy. Directly comparable as a membership-based women's professional service organization with local Hong Kong chapters.
• The Women's Foundation: Hong Kong-focused foundation advancing the status of women through research, programs, and advocacy. Comparable as a women-focused professional/community organization with overlapping programmatic and advocacy scope.
• Hong Kong Federation of Women: Long-established Hong Kong women's organization with similar advocacy, networking, and community-service mandate. Directly comparable as a membership-based women's professional association operating in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hkwpea

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association