Jakarta, 9–10 June 2026: Following the success of last year's Health Innovation Spark for Kids (HITS4KIDS), HITS 4WOMEN marked the second edition of ERIA's HITS series. Bringing together nine start-ups from across Asia, the programme showcased innovative solutions aimed at advancing equity and sustainability in women's health.

The main event, held on 9 June, opened with remarks from Dr Manami Uechi, Director of ERIA's Health and Social Welfare Unit, who underscored the importance of investing in women's health as a driver of sustainable and inclusive development across the region. Ms Mudhya Ruzanne Tiara, Project Officer for the Startup Ecosystem at ERIA, then introduced the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC), highlighting its mission to foster entrepreneurship, catalyse digital innovation, and support start-up growth across ASEAN and beyond.

A key feature of HITS 4WOMEN was a start-up pitching challenge featuring nine finalists from across Asia. The participants presented femtech innovations spanning maternal and newborn care, reproductive health, cancer screening diagnostics, menopause support, menstrual wellness, and breastfeeding ecosystems. The judging panel comprised Dr Uechi, Ms Chieko Tanabe, Programme Manager for the Startup Ecosystem at ERIA, and two healthcare-focused venture capitalists: Ms Hana Nakanishi, Investment Manager at SBI Investment, and Ms Samantha Tedjosugondo, Vice President at Sweef Capital.

Following the pitching session, participants joined a World Café discussion on three themes: challenges in women's health access and equity, promising innovations, and actionable policy priorities. Discussions highlighted persistent barriers, including affordability constraints, limited access to screening services, and cultural taboos surrounding women's health. Participants also emphasised the need for dedicated femtech funding, stronger support for underserved and vulnerable populations, and greater cross-border collaboration across ASEAN. A recurring theme was the importance of adopting a whole-of-life approach to women's health.

The programme also featured one-on-one business matching sessions that connected start-ups with investors, private-sector leaders, government representatives, and other potential partners.

The first day concluded with an award ceremony recognising three outstanding start-ups:

• Hey Venus (Singapore) – Most Impactful Health Innovation
• Nu Mom (Malaysia) – Most Growth-Ready Start-up
• Pathology AI Lab (Viet Nam) – Most Transformative Innovation

On 10 June, participants visited the Prodia Women's Health Centre in Jakarta, one of Indonesia's leading private healthcare providers. The visit opened with remarks from Dr Sarah K. Abe, Manager for Healthcare Services at ERIA, who thanked Prodia's leadership for its partnership and hospitality.

The visit provided participants with an opportunity to engage directly with healthcare practitioners and youth leaders, gaining insights into the realities of women's health service delivery in Indonesia. Participants also learned about Prodia's evolution from a single laboratory established in Solo in 1973 into a healthcare group operating more than 200 outlets nationwide. Ms Intan Wibawanti, Partnership Manager at Prodia, highlighted the organisation's commitment to delivering reliable, next-generation healthcare through digital innovation and collaboration.

Participants also heard from Red Project Indonesia, a community organisation focused on women's empowerment and reproductive health, which presented its work on menstrual health, child marriage prevention, and anaemia reduction. The visit concluded with a tour of Prodia's women's health and laboratory facilities.

HITS 4WOMEN concluded with a networking session that enabled participants to exchange ideas, build connections, and explore future partnerships. The 2-day programme reaffirmed ERIA's commitment to strengthening health systems, supporting health innovation, and advancing women's health across ASEAN and the wider region.